N02458:47
Ignorantia scientifica. A brief essay on mans not knowing his time: the just inferences…
Ignorantia scientifica. A brief essay on mans not knowing his time: the just inferences from it, and the great advantages of it. : Upon a special and mournful occasion. : [Seven lines of quotations]
printed by B. Green for Samuel Gerrish, 1727
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
III. WHAT now remains, but this Word of Command, Make all Ready! Oh! Let us make Ready for whatever Times are to pass over us.
MAKE Ready for Changes of Every Sort. This do by getting into that posture of Mind, which is described so, Psal. CXII. 7. He shall ⟨p. 18⟩not be afraid of evil tidings; His Heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
BUT above all, Make Ready for that Greatest and Surest of all our Changes; The DEATH of which I may say, The Day is Near, it is near, and it hasteneth greatly! Indeed, for the animation of all PIETY, this Meditation, Man knows not his Time; Tis an Instrument of which I may say, There is none like it. How would it come like a Red-hot Stone from the Altar, to inflame our Devotions, if when we are going to Prayer, we should think, I know not my Time: This may be the last Time that ever I shall call upon GOD, before I am fetched away to appear before Him! What Salt would it season our Speech withal, if in our Conversation with our Friends we should think, I know not my Time: This may be the last Time of my Conversing with such as I am now talking to! At what a rate should we Sabbatize, if upon the Arrival of the Lords-Day, we should think, I know not my Time: This may be the last Lords Day that I shall see before my Dying Day! But the Grand concern of PIETY, is in that, Be Ye Ready. And, My Friends, That you may be Ready for the Death, whereof you do not know the Time, you do know, That you must begin Immediately to Live unto GOD. Your Immediate CONVERSION to GOD, This you do know, is absolutely Necessary; And your coming into His Covenant, by consenting that your Great SAVIOUR should fulfil for you and in you the Good pleasure of His Goodness. By this you make sure of Grace, and of Glory, and