Ignorantia scientifica. A brief essay on mans not knowing his time: the just inferences…

WE will Inquire, First, What is there in the Times passing over us, which we must not have the Fore-knowledge of?

TWO words will fully eno' express the matter.

First LITTLE do we Fore-know the Quantity of our Time; or what will be the Duration of it. Man knoweth not his Time; in that he knows not, whether it will be a Longer Time, or a Shorter Time. As it has been said, What man is he that liveth, and shall not see Death? So it may be said, What man alive is there, who knows when he shall see Death? We are told, The living know that they shall Dy. But which of the Living are they who know when they are to Dye? The Presages that some few have had of their Time, are extraordinary! One said, Gen XXVII. 2. I am old, I know not the Day of my Death. And the Young does as little know the Day of his Death. It is an ancient saying, If an old Man has Death standing before his Face, a young Man has Death standing behind his Back. The Time of its giving the Fatal stroke, is as little known to the one, as to the other. One that is in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet, and having his Bones moistened with morrow; Even such an one does not know his Time; for even such an one may Die at this very Time. One that is in Bitterness of Soul, and never Eats with pleasure, because of the Infirmities under what he languishes; even such an one also does not know his Time. For even such an one may be Reprieved from Death beyond expectation; and see many Stronger ones lie down in the Dust before him. We do all know, That it ⟨p. 6⟩is appointed unto man once to die. But which of us does know his appointed Time for it; or when he is to Die? Ordinarily, of that Day & Hour knoweth no Man.

First LITTLE do we Fore-know the Quantity of our Time; or what will be the Duration of it. Man knoweth not his Time; in that he knows not, whether it will be a Longer Time, or a Shorter Time. As it has been said, What man is he that liveth, and shall not see Death? So it may be said, What man alive is there, who knows when he shall see Death? We are told, The living know that they shall Dy. But which of the Living are they who know when they are to Dye? The Presages that some few have had of their Time, are extraordinary! One said, Gen XXVII. 2. I am old, I know not the Day of my Death. And the Young does as little know the Day of his Death. It is an ancient saying, If an old Man has Death standing before his Face, a young Man has Death standing behind his Back. The Time of its giving the Fatal stroke, is as little known to the one, as to the other. One that is in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet, and having his Bones moistned with morrow; Even such an one does not know his Time; for even such an one may Dy at this very Time. One that is in Bitterness of Soul, and never Eats with pleasure, because of the Infirmities under what he languishes; even such an one also does not know his Time. For even such an one may be Repriev'd from Death beyond expectation; and see many Stronger ones ly down in the Dust before him. We do all know, That it