A discourse concerning the uncertainty of the times of men, and the necessity of being prepared for sudden changes & death. Delivered in a sermon preached at Cambridge in New England. Decemb. 6. 1696. On occasion of the sudden death of two scholars belonging to Harvard Colledge. / By Increase Mather, praesident of that colledge. ; [Two lines from I Samuel]

A discourse concerning the uncertainty of the times of men, and the necessity of being prepared for sudden changes & death. Delivered in a sermon preached at Cambridge in New England. Decemb. 6. 1696. On occasion of the sudden death of two scholars belonging to Harvard Colledge. / By Increase Mather, praesident of that colledge. ; [Two lines from I Samuel]

Table of contents

Title page

TO My Worthy Friend Mr. JOHN EYRE, One of His Majesties Justices of the Peace, at Boston in New-England.

Man Knows not his Time.

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[Page]

Man Knows not his Time.

Eccles. 9.12.

Man knoweth not his Time.

SOLOMON in this Book shews the Vanity and Uncertainty of all humane affairs, and the Misery which does on that account attend men whilst they are on the Earth. He takes notice of many Vanities, one whereof is mentioned in the preceding Verse, namely, That Events & Successes are not alwayes as men Judging by Second Causes conclude they will be. One would think that the swiftest Runner should come to the End of the Race soonest; & that when there is a battel to be fought, they that have the greatest Number and Strength should win the day; but sometimes it falls out to be quite contrary, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battel to the strong. For which there are two Reasons assigned. (1.) The over-ruling Providence of God. Time and Chance happeneth to them all. There is nothing that Chanceth in respect of God, who [Page] knoweth and has determined all Events▪ but as to man, Casualties, Accidents happen which cause things to fall out otherwise then according to probable rational Conjectures would have been; in all which there is a Providence, and sometimes there is a great Providence in a small Accident. (2.) Another Reason is in the words before u [...], because Man kn [...]ws not his Time: which is not to be understood Universally, as if no man did ever in any thing know what Times should pass over him: but for the most part and in most things they are Ignorant thereof. So then the Doctrine at present before us, is,

That for the most part the Miserable Children of Men, know not their Time.

There are three things for us here briefly to Enquire into. (1.) What Times they are which Men know not? (2.) How it does appear that they are Ignorant thereof. (3.) The Reason Why they are kept in Ignorance of their Time.

Quest. 1. What Times are they which men know not?

Ans. 1. Time is sometimes put for the proper season for Action. For the fittest season for a man to Effect what he is undertaking. The Seventy Greek Interpreters translate the words KAIRON AUIOU. There is a Season, a fit Time for men [Page] to go to work in. If they take hold of that nick of opportunity, they will prosper and succeed in their Endeavours. It is a great part of wisdom to know that season. Hence it is said, A wise mans Heart discerneth both Time and Iudgment. Eccles. 8.5. but few have that wisdom or knowledge. Therefore it is added in the next verse. because to every purpose there is Time and Iudgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. The meaning is, because men discern not the proper Time for them to Effect what they purpose, their misery is great. If they would attempt such a thing just at such a Time, they would make themselves and others happy, but missing that Opportunity great misery comes upon them. So it is as to Civil Affairs very frequently. Men discern not the proper only season for them to obtain what they desire. Yea, and so it is as to Spirituals. Men are not aware of the proper season wherein they may obtain good for their Souls. There is a price put into their hands to get Wisdom, but they have no heart to know and improve it. There is a day of Grace in which i [...] men seek to God for mercy they shall find it. Isa. 55.6. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found. The most of them that have such a day know it not until their finding Time is past. Thus it was with Israel of old. Jere. 8.7. The Stork in the heaven knows her appointed Time, the Turtle, and the Crane, [Page]and the Swallow observe the Time of their coming, but my People know not the Iudgment of the Lord. They discerned not the Iudgments, that is the dispensations of God. They had a Summer of prosperity but did not improve it. There was a Winter of Adversity coming on them, but they knew it not, nor did they use the proper only means to prevent it. So the Jews when Christ was amongst them, had a blessed time if they had known it: but they knew not the things of their peace, in the day of their peace; they knew not the Time of their Visitation.

2. A man knows not what Changes shall attend him whilest in this World. Changes of Providence are in the Scripture called Times. It is said that the Acts of David, and the Times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the Kingdoms of the Countries, were written by Samuel, and Nathan the Prophet, and in the Book of Gad the S [...]er, meaning the Changes of Providence which they were subject unto. 1 Chron. 29.30. A man knows not whether he shall see good or evil days for the Time to come: he knoweth what his past days have been; but does not know what they shall be for the time to come. It may be he is now in prosperity: he has Friends, Children, Relations, which he takes delight in, he has Health, an Estate, and Esteem in the World, he does not know that he shall have any of these [Page] things for the future. Indeed, men in Prosperity are apt to think (as they would have it) that they shall alwayes, or for a long time be so: but very often they find themselves greatly mistaken. The Psalmist confesseth that it was so with him. Psal. 30.6, 7. In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved, Lord, by thy favour, thou hast made my Mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face and I was troubled. His Enemies were all subdued: his Mountain, that is his Kingdom, especially his Royal Palace in Mount Sion was become exceeding strong, that now he thought all dangers were over, but Absaloms unexpected Rebellion involved him and the whole Land in Trouble. The good People in Iosiahs time promised themselves great happiness for many a year under the Government of such a King as he was. Lam. 4.20. Of whom we said under his shadow we shall Live. But his sudden Death made a sad Change in all the Publick Affairs. A man knows not what Afflictions shall come upon him whilest on the earth. This is true concerning particular Persons: they may know in general, that Afflictions shall attend them in an evil Sinful World But what those Afflictions in particular shall be they know not. Thus the Apostle speaks, Act 20.22, 23. I go bound in Spirit to Ierusalem, no [...] knowing what things shall befall me there, save tha [...] the holy Spirit witnesseth in every City, [...], tha [...] Bonds and Afflictions abide me. So that he kne [...] [Page] in general that he should meet with Affliction, but not in special what the Affliction would be. So is it true concerning a People, that they know not what Times or Changes may pass over them. Little was it thought that whilest Hoshea (who was the best of all the Nineteen Kings that had Ruled over the Ten Tribes) was Reigning, a Powerful forreign Enemy should invade the Land and make them all Slaves. Little did the Jews think that when Iosiah was but Thirty nine years old, he should dy before that year was out, and they never see good day more after his Death. And as men know not What their Changes and Afflictions must be, so neither When they [...] come upon them. Whether it will be a long or a short time before those Changes overtake them. Mar. 13.35. You know not when the Master of the House comes, at even, or at mid-night, or at the Cock crowing, or in the morning. Thus a man knoweth not whether the sharpest Afflictions which are reserved for him, shall come upon him in his Youth, or in his middle age, or in his old age; though for the most part mens greatest Afflictions overtake them in their old age. Nor can any man know whether his Afflictons shall be soon over, or continue for a longer time. Indeed, the Lords People knew that their Capti [...]ity in Babylon should last for Seventy years and no longer; but that knowledge was by divine Revelation. As for some other Persecutions [Page] they knew not how long they would continue. Psal. 74.9. There is no more a Prophet, neither is there any that knows how long. Those words seem to respect the Persecution under Antiochus, when there was no Prophet.

3. A man knows not the Time of his Death: Often it is so, that when Death falls upon a man, he thinks no more of it, than the Fishes think of the Net before they are Caught in it; or then the Birds think of the Snare before they are taken in it, as Solomon here speaks. It useth to be said, (and it is a plain, weighty known Truth) that nothing is more certain then that every man shall Dy, and nothing more uncertain than the Time when. Old Isaac said▪ Gen. 27.2. Behold, I know not the day of my Death. Though he Lived above twenty years after he spoke those words, he did not know that he should Live a day longer. A man cannot know how long himself or another shall live. It is true that Hezekiah was ascertained that he should not dy before fifteen years were expired. And the Prophet Ieremy knew that Hananiah should not live a year to an end. Jer. 28.16. This year thou shalt Dy, because thou hast Taught Rebellion against the Lord. But these were extraordinary cases. It is not a usual thing for a man to know before-hand how many months or years he shall live in this World: Nor may he desire to know it, but he ought to leave that with God. Although David [Page] prayed, saying, Lord make me to know my End, and the numbe [...] of my Dayes, what it is. Psal. 39.4. Hi [...] meaning is, not that he might know just how many dayes he should live, but that he might be made duely sensible of his own frailty and mortality, and lead his life accordingly. Oftentimes Death is nearest to men when they least think of it; especially it is so with ungodly men: we have an instance of it in Agag. He came before Samuel, delicately, and said, surely the bitterness of death is past. 1 Sam. 15.32. Little did he think, that within a few hours, he should be cut in pieces. When Haman boasted of his being the chief Favourite at Court, and that the Queen had invited no one but the King & himself to a Banquet, he little thought of the destruction which was then preparing for him. When Belshazzar was in the beginning of the night drinking and making merry with his profane Companions, he little thought that he should be a dead man before morning; but that night was Belshazzar slain. Dan. 5.30. The Rich Fool in the Gospel dream'd of a long life and merry: He said to his Soul, Eat, Drink and be merry, thou hast Goods laid up for many years. But God said, This night thy Soul shall be required of thee: He must appear immediately before the dreadful Tribunal. Luk. 12.20. Thus we see what Time it is which men know not.

[Page]The second thing to be Enquired into, is, How it does appear that men know not their Time.

Answ. 1 It is evident, In that all future Contingencies are known to God only. Hence C [...]rist said to the Disciples, It is not for you to know the Times and the Seasons which the Father has put in his own power. Act 1.7. Future Times and Contingent Events, the knowledge & disposal of them has God reserved to himself. There are future things which happen necessarily, that a man may know them long before they come to pass: God has appointed Lights in the Heaven to be for Signs and Seasons. Gen. 1.14. These move regularly and unfailably according to that Order which the Creator has established. Therefore a man may know infallibly how many hours or minutes such a day or night will be long before the Time comes: He may know when there will be an Eclipse of the Sun or of the Moon, twenty, or an hundred years before it comes to pass: but for Contingent Things, which hav [...] no necessary dependance on the constituted Order of Nature, but upon the meer Pleasure and Providence of God, they are not known except unto God, or to them unto whom he shall reveal them. The Lord challengeth this as his Prerogative. The Idols whom the Heathen worshipped, could not make known future Contingencies. Isa 41.22, 23. Let them shew us what shall happen, or declare us things for to come, shew the [Page]things that are to come hereafter, that we may know they are Gods. To do this was past their skill. The Devil knows many future things which men are ignorant of; He could foretel Sauls ruin, and Davids coming to the Kingdom. Nevertheless, there are many future Events which he has no knowledge of. Therefore he often deludes those that Enquire of him with deceitful and uncertain Answers. But as for men they are ignorant of future things, which most nearly concern themselves, or their own Families. No man knows so much as who shall be his Heir, or Enjoy the Estate which he has laboured for. Psal. 39.6. Surely every man walks in a vain shew, he heapeth up riches, and knows not who shall gather them. He knows not whether one of his Relations, or a meer stranger shall possess that Estate which he has taken so much pains, and disquieted himself so much for the obtaining of it. This meditation made Solomon out of Love with this World. He knew as much as any man, and yet he confesseth that he did not know whether the man that should come after him, and enjoy all that he had Laboured for, would be a wise man or a fool, Eccles. 2.18, 19. And he sayes, A man knows not that which shall be; for who can tell him when it shall be. Eccles. 8.7. He knows neither what nor when it shall be. And again he saith, A man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him who can tell him! Eccl. 10.14. This is to [Page] be understood concerning Contingent Events. Such as the particular Afflictions which are to befall a man, or the Time, Place, or manner of his Death.

2. The Times of men are ordered according to the Decree of God. There is nothing comes to pass in the Earth, but what was first determined by a wise decree in Heaven. Act. 15.18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the World. God knows what he has to do. The Apostle speaks there concerning the Conversion of the Gentiles. This did God fore-know and decree from the beginning of the World, yea from all Eternity. The like is to be said concerning every thing which happens in the World. Not a Sparrow falls to the Ground without his Providence, and therefore not without his decree, the one being an Infallible Effect of the other. He has decreed when and where every man that comes into the World shall be Born; and where he shall live, in what Country, and in what Town; yea, and in what House too. Act. 17.26. He has determined the times before app [...]inted, & the bounds of their Habitation. He has decreed when every man shall dy. Eccl. 3.2. There is a Time to be Born, and a Time to Dy. That is to say, a Time decreed and appointed by God when every man shall be born, and when he shall dy. Nor shall any man live a day longer than the Time which the Lord has appointed for him. Job 14.5. [Page] His dayes are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cann [...]t pass. All the Circumstances attending every mans Death, the place and the manner of it, whether he shall dy by Sickness, or by any other Accident, all is determined in Heaven before it comes to pass on the Earth. Now the decrees of God are Secret things until the Event or some alivine Revelation shall discover them. Deut. 29.29. Secret things belong unto the Lord our God. His divine dec [...]ees are those secret things, which Himself alone knows▪ Rom 11.34▪ For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or, who has been his Counsellor?

3. The Conversations of men generally make it manifest, that they know not their Time. They do many things which they would not do, and they neglect many things which they would certainly practise, if they knew what Times are near them. Math. 24.43. If the good man of the house had known in what watch the Theef would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Thus men live in a ca [...]eless neglect of God, and of their own Souls and Salvation, but if they knew that [...] will come stealing suddenly upon them▪ they would watch and pray. Did they know that before the next week, they shall be in another World, they would live after another manner than now they do. Most commonly Persons are light and v [...]in in their Spi [...]its, [Page] when heavy Tidings is near to them. Did they know what sad News they shall [...]ear shortly, they would be in a more solemn frame of Spirit. Isa. 5.12. The harp and the vi [...]l, the tabret, and the pipe, and wine are in their feasts, but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither cons [...]der the operati [...]n of his hands. Had they known what work God intended to make with them speedily, they would have minded something else besides their sensual pleasures and delights.

We proceed to Enquire 3. Whence it is that men know not their Time.

Answ. It is from God. He will have them to be kept in ignorance and uncertainties about their Time: And this for wise & holy Ends. e g.

1. That so his Children might live by Faith. That so they might live a li [...]e of holy dependance upon God continually. They must not know their Times, that so they might Trust in the Lord at all times. God would not have his Children to be anxiously solicitous about future Events, but to leave themselves and theirs with their Heavenly Father, to dispose of all t [...]eir Concernments, as He in his Infinite Wisdom and Faithfulness shall see good.

2. That their Obedience may be tried. That they may follow the Lord, as it were blind fold, whithersoever He shall l [...]ad them, though they do not see one step of their way before them, [Page] as Abraham did. Heb. 11.8. When he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an Inheritance, he obeyed, and went out not knowing whither he went. We must follow God, tho' we know not what He will do with us, or how He will dispose of us, as to our Temporal Concerns, submitting our selves, yea, our lives and all entirely to the Will of God in every thing. That saying ought to be often in our mouths, If the Lord will, and we shall live, and do this or that. Iam. 4.15.

3. Men must not know their Time, that so they may [...] ever watchful. Math. 25.13. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man comes. The generality of men, if they had it revealed to them (as Hezekiah) that they should certainly live so many years, they would in the mean time be careless about their Souls, and the World to come. We see that notwithstanding they are uncertain how short their Time may be, they are regardless about their future eternal Estate. How much more would they be so, if they knew that Death and Judgment were [...] far off from them?

4. As to some they are kept in Ignorance of their Times, that so they may with the more comfort and composure of Spirit follow the work which they are called unto: That they may with diligence and chearfulness attend the duties of their general and particular Calling; which they [Page] could not do, if they knew what Evil Times and Things are appointed for them. The terror of what is coming on them, would be so dismal to them, that they could not enjoy themselves, nor take comfort in any thing they enjoy. As the Apostle speaks to the covetous Jews, Jam. 5.1. Go to now you rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come up [...]n you. So there are many in the World, that would spend their days in weeping and howling, did they but know what is coming on them and theirs. When the Prophet Elisha had i [...] revealed to him, that sad things were coming on the Land, by reason of a bloody Neighbour Nation, which would break in upon them, and exercise barbarous Cruelties; the holy man wept at the foreknowledge of it. 2 King. 3.11. The man of God wept. So there would be nothing but weeping in many Families, weeping in many Towns, and in some whole Countries, did men but know their Times. Therefore they must be kept in ignorance thereof until the things come upon them.

We proceed to the USE of this Doctrine.

First by way of Information.

Inf. I. We see the Reason of those Meserable Disappointments which men frequently meet with; It is [Page] because they know not their Time. If they had set about such an enterprize a little sooner, they had succeeded well, but not knowing that, all their labour is lost. So it is often as to matters wherein the Souls of men are concerned. How came Esau to be disappointed of the Blessing; if he had come but a few hours sooner, he had certainly attained it; but he knew not that, and so was eternally frustrated of all his hopes and expectations. The foolish Virgins cr [...]ed for Oyl when their Lamps were going out, they should have done that sooner. They came for Admission to the Marriage after the Door was shut. Thus by not knowing their Time they lost their Souls, and missed of Heaven for ever. Mat. 25.9, 10. Thus also it is as to Temporal Concerns. Some Accident not foreseen happens, and brings a frustration on all a mans Endeavours. Marriners go to Sea, and they meet with Enemies, where they least expected them. They come near home, a Storm happens, and they suffer Shipwrack. Had they been aware of those Evils, they would have been more careful to have avoided them. The Husbandman after much pains taken in Tilling the Ground, has an hopeful prospect of a good Harvest, but Blasting, or Mildew, or Droughts, or great Rains, or unseasonable Frost, dis [...]ppoints all his hopes. These were things which he could not foresee nor avoid. A man Builds an House, hopes he shall [Page] Enjoy the Comfort of it many years: A Casualty never thought of, causeth the House to be Burnt: Had he known this, he would never have been at the Cost of such a Building.

Inf. II. We may here see the Vanity and Impiety of those Persons who pretend to know their own, or other mens Times. There are some that will not ingage in a design on such or such dayes, because they are not (as they speak) Lucky dayes. Some (as Mr. Cartwright in his Commentary on the Text before us observes) will not undertake a matter on a Saturday, because they say Saturn has made that to be an unfortunate Time for Action. There are some wicked Almanacks, which tell men that such a day of the Month is a Lucky Time, to begin a Journey in: And that some other dayes are Unlucky ones. This is that which the Scripture calls Observing Tines; and it is a most hainous Sin to do so. The Heathen of old did practise such things. But God in his Word declars them to be Heathenish Abominations, and with the highest Severity has cha [...]ged his People not to do thus. Deut. 18.10. It is mentioned as one of the Crying Sins of Manassah, that he Observed Times, 2 King. 21.6. And that wicked Haman, who designed the bloody destructi [...]n of the Lords People, would go to Conjuring▪ that he might know when would be a Lucky Time for him to Execute his purposed [Page] Mischief. Est. 3.7. And of this nature is that fallacious Art, which bears the Name of Iudicial Astrology, when men will Calculate Nativities, & p [...]etend to know by the Stars, what Times shall pass over such Persons. Zanchy, Gassendus, and other Learned men have notably discovered the Vanity and Impiety of all such Planetarians. The old Chaldrans had as much skill as ever any man had in this Art or Science falsly so called. But how does the Prophet deride them? Isa 47.13, 14. Let now the Astrologers, the Stargazers, the Monthly Prognosticators stand up and save thee from these things, that shall come upon thee; behold they shall be as Stubble, the fire shall burn them, they shall not deliver themselves from the Power of the flame. They pretended to know the Fate of Kingdoms, and yet could not tell their own and the Nations ruin before the day that it came upon them all. There are cursed Fortune tellers, who pretend to know what shall befal particular persons, how they shall be disposed of; when, and where they shall Dye. It is a sad thing, that ever any person should dare to do thus in New England. Time was, when the Air of New England was intollerable to such Vipers. Dreadful guilt is upon the Souls of them, that have gone to Enquire of such vile Creatures, and so of the Devil by them. That famous Gentlewoman, Mrs. Honeywood, who was a long Time under doleful desertions, the first Occasion of her sore Conflicts [Page] was that she had Enquired of a Forune teller concerning the Recovery of a sick Child. Much more is it Evil to be a Practitioner in this Iniquity. And it deserves to be Lamented with tears of Blood, that ever any one that has had a Standing in this Colledge, should be found in the number of those horrid Creatures. A late Writer observes, that persons who consult Fortune tellers, or Iudicial Astrologers, are many times visited with signal Judgments: And that this was an usual practice in Iamaico, a little before the late dreadful Earthquake there; and yet those Wretches could not foretel that Earthquake before they were swallowed up alive in it.

Inf. 3. If men know not their Time, then they are concerned to make a good [...] of the present Time. How does it concern us to spend our Time well? And Now whilst we have Time, to do all the Service for God, and for Jesus Christ that possibly we can! we know not how soon our Opportunities for Service may be gone. Either Death or Sickness, or some other Providence may deprive us of them. We should therefore imitate the good Angel in Thyatira, unto whom the Lord Jesus Christ said, I know thy Service and thy works, and that the last be more than the first. Rev. 2.19. That thought will be a comfort to a man whatever Times or Changes may come upon him. It was so to Hezekiah, when he was [Page] Sick, and in his own apprehension a dying man. Isa. 38.3. Remember war, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which was good in thy sight. If a man can say, as for the time past of my life, I have (through the grace of Christ) spent it w [...]ll, & this Sickness, this Death finds me walking with God, that's comfortable. And because we know not our Time, we should do all the good we can for men: And that in every respect wherein we are capable of doing good. If God has blessed any of us with Estates, let's do good with them. Eccl 11.2. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight, for thou knowest n [...]t what Evil shall be upon the Earth. Such Evil Times may come as you shall loose your Estates. Therefore be liberal and charitable. If a man has lost his Estate, and can then say, when I had an Estate, I did good with it▪ I honoured God with my Substance, and was bountiful to his poor according to my ability; he may then be sure, that his Estate is taken from him, not in Judgment but in Mercy. But if his Conscience shall say to him, thou didst with hold more than is meet, and therefore Poverty is now come upon thee▪ that will be a sad thought. And b [...]cause we know not our Time, we should be alwaye doing good. We should never be idle. When some would have [...] Calvin, because of his Bodily Infirmities to have ce [...]sed from his accustomed Studies, [Page] what (saith he) vultis [...] d [...]minum, me otiosum invenire. Would you have the Lord find me Idle? When Death comes, would you have it find me doing nothing? Because we know not our Time, we should be careful not to Sin at any time. Luk 21.34. Take heed to your selves, l [...]st at any time your hearts be overcharged with Surf [...]ting and Drunkenness, and Cares of this Life, and so that day come upon you unawares. If Death should c [...]me upon a man, presently after he has committed some grievous sin, how sad would that be; or if Death should find him acting sin, as it did Zimri and Cozbi, who were Slain in the act of wickedness, so Nadab and Abihu, at the time when they were profaning the Name of God, Lightning killed them. If Death should find a man profaning the Sabbath, or in Lewd Company it would be most uncomfortable; or if Death▪ should find him in Drink, as very often it is so with notorious Drunkards: And altho' many a sober and godly man is Drowned, nevertheless, it is observable concerning Drunkards, that their sin is often s [...]n in their punishment. They have us [...]d to drown themselves in Drink, and they often [...] by Drowning: and are drowned too at the time of their being Drunk. This is very sad.

Let the Last USE be for EXHORTATION.

Be we Prepared for a Change of Times, especially for the great Change of DEATH which will [Page]come upon us, we know not how soon, nor how suddenly. Who can say what Changes may come upon us? It was said of Moab, Jer. 48.11. Moab has been at ease from his Youth, and he has settled on his Lees, and has not been emptied from Vessel to Vessel. It cannot be said so of New-England. Altho we are too much settled on our Lees, yet we have not been alwayes at Ease, but we have been emp [...]ied from Vessel to Vessel. God has Rack't this Land: One Change after another has come upon us, and some very awful ones. We have seen Changes of Government in our Civil State: And some of them very sad ones; when we were delivered into the hands of some that hated us, and when we could call nothing our own, but our Civil Liberties were gone, and our Sacred Liberties in utmost danger of being taken from us also. Changes and War have been against us. We had [...] Peace for many years together, but now the sound of the Trumpet and the Alarum of War, and how long shall we hear it! A long War has afflicted us now for eight years together. Our Land has been changed from Plenty to Scarcity; we were wont to supply other Plantations, but these two last years we stood in need of supplies from other places. What the Lord will do with us for the future we know not: According to Humane Judgment, either there is to be a Peace among the Nations, or we shall fall into the Hands of a formidable Enemy, before [Page] the next year is Expired; but God has wayes which we know not of, to prevent what our Sins deserve, and what we may rationally fear. There are awful symptoms upon us: And in special the multiplied sudden Deaths which have been of late. The last week two desirable young Scholars were Drowned here in Cambridge. The Week before that, seven persons were Drowned in another place, and two the week before that. And do you not hear of a very sad Accident, a young Child eight years old happened to kill his Brother not above two years old; besides some other awful Providences. Is there not a voice of Heaven in these things! The words of Christ should be considered by us. Luk. 13.4, 5. Those Eighteen on whom the Tower of Siloam sell and slew them, think ye that they were Sinners above all men that dwell in Ierusalem, I tell you nay, but except you repent, you shall likewise perish. So do you suppose that those thirteen persons who have been taken away by sudden strokes within these three weeks last past, were greater Sinne [...]s th [...]n any in New-England. Nay, but these Evils falling suddenly up [...]n them, are Warnings to all. God can as easily bring sudden Changes upon a whole Land, as upon a few particular persons.

But especially we are by such Providence called upon to to prepare for Death. I will want a [...]l the days of my appointed time until my Change come. Job 14.14. Death brings a wonderful Change [Page] with it. So it does as to the Bodies of men. They are turned to Corruption; for the most part after they are dead, either Worms or Fishes feed upon them. And a Change as to the Souls of m [...]n. When once they are out of their Bodies, they know in a moment where they must be to all Eternity They then see Angels, and they behold [...] Majesty of the Terrible God. [...] here.

Consider 1 Death may come on us suddenly. So does the Text and Context before us intimate. It is said, N [...]mb 69. If any man die very suddenly. That then is possible, and we see Instances of it before [...] E [...]es [...]equently. The Scholars now gone, who were in this House the last Lords Day, hearing the Word of God, did not think that they should be dead th [...] next day; no more then any of you think of being in another World before to morrow▪ sometimes Death does not give a days warning before it comes. Prov 27.1. Boast n [...]t t [...]y self of to [...]rrow, for thou knowest not what a day [...] f [...]rth. You know not what shall b [...] [...]n the morrow, nor where you your selves shall be, no, not what World your S [...]uls shall be in on the morrow. It may be, Death will not give an hours warning; nay, not a min [...]te [...] wa [...] ning. Have you not known some that the thunder of God has struck them dead in a momen [...]? They were alive and in perfect health, and in less then a minute stark dead. Have you not [Page] heard of many in these late years, that fearful Earthquakes have swallowed them up in a moment? How many Hundreds did there so perish in Iamaica! You heard also how it was in Sicily, but a few years ago, above an hundred thousand Souls there went down alive into the pit. God by such things speaks to all that dwell on the Earth and [...]ear thereof. Let none of you say, we are young, and Death is far from us. Were not they young and as likely to live as any of you, whose sudden Deaths has caused me to Preach this Sermon.

Consider. 2. When Time is ended Eternity begins. Time ends with Death. Then as the Angel sayes concerning the Fourth Monarchy, Time shall be no longer. Rev. 10.6. When Time shall be no longer, Eternity begins. After Dives was dead and his Soul in Hell, Abraham told him, that there was a great Gulf fixed, that they that would go from Hell could not do it. Eternity is a great Gulf. When once a mans Soul is out of his body, he is got into a Gulf of Eternity: he is fixed where he must be forever. Rocks shall sooner move out of their places, than he shall stir from the place where he is. If a man dy, shall he live again? No, he shall never live again in this World as formerly. Suppose Death should come upon a man and find him wholly unprepared; i [...] he could come into the World again to mend his [Page] Error that were another Case: but this shall never be. Job 7.9, 10. He that goes down to the Grave, shall come up no more, he shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place kn [...]w him any more. Though a man would be willing to give never so much to live again, it shall not be granted to him. I have heard of one that when dying, said, If I had Ten Thousand Worlds I would give them all that I might live one day longer. Without doubt it is so, with the Souls in Hell. If they had Ten Thousand Worlds to give, they would gladly part with them all, that they might live but one day longer on the Earth, to Repent and Pray in, and earnestly endeavour that their peace might be made with God through Jesus Christ.

You will say, but What is to be done by us, that so we may be prepared for Death?

Ans. 1. Let us make sure that Death find us in Christ. That was Pauls great care, that he might be found in him. Phil. 3.9. If a man was got into the City of Refuge, the Avenger of blood could not hurt him. Neither can Death hurt that man who is in Christ. There are none of us all, but Death may come suddenly upon us. As Eminent Saints, as ever lived have dyed suddenly: was it not so with Moses? was he not well and dead in a Moment of Time, without ever being sick? Have you not known or heard of many Eminent Servants of the Lord [Page] with whom it has been thus? That Holy Learned man, Mr. Brightman, was taken with Death as he was Riding in a Coach, having a Greek Testament in his hand, because he would loose no time. Our famous Mr. Norton, was taken with Death as he was walking in his House, fell down and never spoke a word more. Those Worthy Governours, Mr. Eaton, and Haines dyed in their sleep. So has it been with many a dear Servant of God, that has gone to Bed well, and dyed in his sleep. So did Mr. Vines, and Mr. Capel, after they had Preached twice the Lords Day before. And therefore I do not advise you to pray (as some do) that you may not dy suddenly, but to make sure of your being in Christ, and then let Death come never so suddenly, you shall receive no harm by it. There are Angels by you to take care of your Souls. But if Death finds a man out of Christ, wo unto him that ever he was born. What terrible work will Death make with that man? It will tear him in pieces, Body & Soul, and send both to Prison, his Body to the Prison of the Grave, and his Soul to a worse Prison, there to remain in a certain fearful expectation of Judgment, and of Fiery Indignation at the Great Day.

2. Live as you will wish you had lived when Time shall be no longer with you. I have read of a King that sent to a Minister, desiring that he would tell him how he must live, that so he might be sure to be a good and an happy man: Sir, (said he) Liv [...][Page]as you [...] you had lived the last time that you were Sick, and thought [...] should dy, and then you will certainly be a good and an happy man. They that would dy well, must live well. Be alwayes serving and glorifying God in Jesus Christ, & then if an [...] body tells you of Death, you may smile at it, and say, If Death comes it shall be welcome, when ever the Lord pleases to send it.

ANd now as I have spoken these things to all this Assembly, so let me apply them in a special manner to you the Scholars of this Colledge, who are here present before the Lord. I am concerned in my Spirit for you. All of you are my Children: And do you think that I can see my Children Drowned, and not be troubled for it? God has come among you this last week, & lessened two of your number by a sad & awful Providence. Do you think these two were greater Sinners than any amongst you. No, no, they were bo [...]h of them hopeful youths. One of them (young Eyres) was an only Son, and a desirable dutiful Son, of a sweet amiable Temper, beloved by every body. He was observed to read the Scriptures constantly every day with great Alacrity. A sign that there was some good thing in him towards the God of Israel. As for the other (Maxwell) the Rebuke of Heaven in taking him away is the more solemn, in that his pious Relations sent him from far: to be Educated in this Nursery, [Page] for Religion and good Literature. I took special notice of him; but could never observe any thing in him, but what was commendable, He was ingenious, and industrious, and I believe truly pious; had he lived, he was like to have been a choice Instrument of Service to the Church of God in his Time. And I am perswaded that his Soul is among the Angels of God. But if this be done to the green Tree, what shall be done to the Dry? This fatal blow looks ominously on the poor Colledge. Considering some other circumstances; there is cause to fear l [...]st suddenly there will be no Colledge in New England; and this as a sign that ere long there will be no Churches there. I know there is a blessed day to the visible Church not far off; but it is the Judgment of very Learned men, that in the Glorious Times promised to the Church on Earth, America will be Hell. And altho there is a number of the Elect of God yet to be born here, I am verily afraid, that in process of Time, New-England will be the wofullest place in all America, as some other parts of the World once famous for Religion, are now the [...]lefullest on the Earth, perfect Emblems and Pictures o [...] Hell. When you see this little Academy fall [...]n to the ground (as now it is shaking and most like to fall) then know it is a terrible thing which God is about to bring upon this Land. In the mean time, you the Student [...] here, are concerned to bewail the Breach which the Lord has made [...] [Page] you. If you slight and make light of this hand of the Lord, or do not make a due improvement of it, you may fear, that God has not done with you, but that he has more arrows to shoot amongst you, that shall suddenly strike some of you ere long. But Oh that the Lord would sanctify what has hapned to awaken you unto serious thoughts about Death and Eternity. Who knows but that God may make these sudden Deaths, an occasion of promoting the Salvation, & Eternal Life of some amongst you. It is related concerning Waldo, (He from whom the Waldenses have that Name given them) that the occasion of his Conversion was the Sudden Death of one of his Companions. The sight of that made him serious. He did not know, but that he might dy suddenly too, and that he was therefore concerned to be always fit to dy. So did he turn to the Lord, and became a great Instrument of Glory to God and good to his Church. Oh! that it might be so with you. Wherefore I pray you; yea, and I Charge you in the Name of the Lord; as my beloved Sons, I warn & charge you, that every one of you endeavour that you may be able to give a good Answer to three plain, short Questions.

1. Let every one of you be able to give a good Answer to this Enquiry: What am I? Am I a true Believer, yea or no? Am I a Regenerate Person: it may be I am a Civil, Moral young man, but what's that without Faith and Regeneration? If any man is in Christ, he is a new [Page] Creature, Am I so? The Apostle sayes that in Christ Iesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing, nor Uncircumcision, but a new Creature. Gal. 6.15. So it is not material to a mans Salvation whether he be a Learned or an Unlearned man, but whether he is in Christ and a new Creature. Tho' you should attain unto an Hundred Times more Learning than what you have, you may perish Eternally notwithstanding that, if you be not in Christ, or if you are not new Creatures. As Austin speaks, Surgunt indocti et rapiunt Coelum, at nos cum omni doctrina nostra Mergimur in gehennam. All your Parts and Learning will but aggravate your Misery at last, if you have not Christ and Grace in your Souls. If a man is Cast away with Bags of Gold about him, he will sink the faster and the deeper for it; so they that have Golden parts, but ungodly hearts and lives, will of all Persons sink the deepest into Hell. Grotius, who was one of the Learndest men that this age has produced, professed, that he would willingly part with all his Learning, for the Piety of a poor Godly Country man, who was wont to spend his Time every day▪ after this manner: Eight hours of the day he followed his Calling with diligence, he allowed himself eight hours for sleep; the other eight hours he spent in Reading the Scriptures, and in Prayer, Meditation & Communion with God. Then let your chief care be about matters wherein your Souls & Eternal Estates are concerned. Let every one of you think often [Page] with himself, If I should dy this day, is my Soul safe? He that knows not whether he is in Christ, and as an effect thereof, a Sanctified Person, knows not what will become of his Soul to all Eternity. And how dare any of you live at peradventures about a matter of such Infinite Moment, one day to an end? It is related in the Life of that Eminent Saint, Mr. Ignatius Iurdain, that if he met any Scholar, & such an one especially as applied himself to the Study of Divinity (as there are some Scores belonging to this Academy, who are designed for the work of the Ministry) his usual question to such was, What Evidence have you for Heaven? You Scholars (said he) have the best Opportunities of all men for the getting of Assurance: you are still looking into Gods Book, and into other good Books, and should acquaint your selves with your Spiritual Estate toward God. Truly, it is a sad thing, when Scholars the design of whose life is to gain knowledge, yet know not what their Spiritual Estate is, or what shall become of their Souls for ever. Why! you cannot know what will become of your Bodies for a day; but you may know what will become of your Souls throughout an endless Eternity. Rest not then without being able to give a good Answer to that Question. I doubt many of you cannot say more than Berengiraus did, (it may be some of you not so much) who when he was dying, thus expressed himself, I am now going to appear before God the Iudge of all; what will become of my Soul, I cannot tell; I have some hopes that[Page]I shall be Saved, but I am afraid that I shall be Damned. Poor man! A sad word for so Learned a Person as he was to go out of the World with.

2. Let every one of you be always able to give a good Answer to this Question, Where am I? Have I allowance from God who sees me, to be in this place, and amongst this Company at this Time? Am I in a Tavern, or in an Ale house? Is that a fit place for a Scholar to be in, except there be some special reason to induce & warrant him, since the Statutes of this and other Reformed Universities have prohibited Students from being seen in such places? Ought I not at this Time to be in my Study rather? What Company am I now Conversing with? Am I willing, that my li [...]e should be gathered with such Sinners? If Death should come upon us suddenly, am I willing that my Soul should be gathered where theirs must be? When Persons will be Venturing where they have no call, they are oftentimes surprised with Evils, Like Fishes in an evil net, which they least thought of. Tertullian speaks of a Christian Woman, that going to a Stage Play, an Evil Spirit, there took possession of her, who when it was wondered at, that he should get possession of one that was a Christian, said, I found her in my own ground, and therefore might well take possession of her. Let not the Devil at any Time find any of you in his ground, or in any other place or Company, but where God in his Word giveth you leave to be.

3ly. and Finally, be always able to give a good Answer to this Question, VVhat am I doing? Is the thing that I am [Page] about a Lawful thing? Am I using Recreations for my Health sake? And is it a Lawful Recreation, which no Law neither of God nor man has forbidden? The two young men that were Drowned the other day, Death found them in a Recreation: It's well, it was a Lawful one Skating on the Ice is so, if used seasonably & with due discretion and moderation. But how dismal is it when Death shall surprise Persons when they are diverting themselves with Scandalous Pastimes. Histories tell us of some who whilest they have been Playing at Cards, the Lightning has struck them & they have been found Dead with the Cards in their hands. My dear Children! In the fear of God▪ let it never be so with any of you. Be often putting that Question to your selves, do I spend my Time well? Am I still attending some work either of my particular or my general Calling? Am I diligent in my S [...]udy? That was it which your Parents sent you hither for. As Iunius his father used to direct Letters to him when in the University, as one that was Missus ad Studendion? If Death should come Suddenly on me, would it not find me squ [...]ndring away my precious hours, in doing nothing? Do I Remember that an hours Idleness, is a Sin as well as an hours Drunkenness: I must give an account to Jesus Christ the Son of God concerning every hour of my life. Am I not forgetful of my Duty towards God every day? Do I Read the Scriptures and Pray in Secret constantly? Do I often think how Christ lived in the World, and endeavour to be like Him: Am I always doing the things that please God? Now if you can give a good Answer to these three Questions, VVhat am I? VVhere am I? VVhat am I doing? you need not be afraid of Death, let it come never so suddenly. Blessed is that Servant, yea Blessed is that Scholar, VVhom the Lord at His coming shall find so doing.

THE END.

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

A DISCOURSE Concerning the Uncertainty of the Times of Men, AND The Necessity of being Prepared for Sudden Changes & DEATH.

Delivered in a SERMON Preached at Cambridge in New England Decemb. 6. 1696. On Occasion of the Sudden Death of Two Scholars belonging to Harvard Colledge

By INCREASE MATHER, Praesident of that Colledge.

1 Sam. 3.18.

And he said, It is the Lord, Let Him do what seemeth Him Good

Boston in New England. Printed by B. Green, and J. Allen, for Samuel Phillips, at the Brick Shop. 1697.

TO My Worthy Friend Mr. JOHN EYRE, One of His Majesties Justices of the Peace, at Boston in New-England.

[Page]

Dear SIR,

THE Love which is in the Heart of a Father towards his Children is no small Love: and thence the Sorrow for their Death is no little Sorrow. We see it in Ephraim, of whom it is Recorded, that when his Sons were taken away by an Immature Death; Their Father Mourned many Dayes, 1 Chron. [...].22. An Extraordinary Mourning is expressed by that of Mourning as one that Mourneth for an Only Son. Zech. 12.10. It is a bitter aggravation of the Death of Children, when there is no ground to believe that they are gone to a better World. [Page] No doubt, but that was the Reason, why David was so much moved when he first heard of the sudden Death of His Absalom. 2 Sam. 18.33. He wept, and as he wept, He thus said, O my Son Absalom! my Son, my Son Absalom, would God I had Dyed for thee, O Absalom! My Son, my Son. So it does very much alleviate grief, when we can Mourn not without Hope, of seeing our Children at the Right hand of Christ in the Resurrection at the Last Day. As for your Son who now is not, I could never observe any thing in him, but what was Laudable; and his Worthy Tutor gives him the like Character. Although Death found him using Recreations (which Students need for their Healths sake) they were lawful Recreations. Nor was he willing to divert himself at that time, without a particular permission from his Superiors, as I understand: and therefore let not the Circumstances of his Death make too great an Impression on your Spirit. Had Death found him Sinning, the Evil whi [...]h f [...]l upon him suddenly, would have been much sadder.

If you lay this Affliction too deeply to Heart, you will Dishonour God and your self too. [...] discovered much Humane Frailty, when he refused to be comforted, and said, I will go down into the Grave to my Son mourning. Gen. 37.35. The Jewish Doctors have a saying, That the Spirit of God dwells not in a sad Soul, which they [Page] confirm by that Instance of Iacob, concerning whom they say, that the Spirit of Prophesie withdrew from him all the time of his inordinate grief for his Sons supposed Death. But this is certain, that excess of Worldly Sorrow is an offence to the Holy Spirit, as well as Excess in carnal mirth. Nothing has befallen you, but what is common to men, yea, and to the best of men. Aaron the Saint of the Lord had two of his Sons taken from him by a sudden & awful Hand of Heaven. This is written that you might have Comfort through the Scriptures, and also that you might Imitate his Example in a submissive frame of Spirit to the Will of God under the like (though not so sadly aggravated) Dispensation. Aaron Held his peace. The Lord help you by his Spirit with the same Grace. Say with Eli, It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good: Say with Hezekiah, when He Received sad tidings concerning his Children, Good is the Word of the Lord. Isa 39.8. If instead of your own Son, which is taken from you, God shall give you more of His Son, happy are you. Whether your [...] will be made up again in the Creature, the Lord only knows, but God can easily make it up in Himself.

I have Read of an Holy man that haveing lost a Son that was very Dear to him, Retired [Page] himself to pour out his Soul to God, where the Lord met with him: after which he was cheerful; An intimate friend of his wondering at it, asked him the reason of his Cheerfulness; To whom he Replyed, I could be content to Bury a Son every Day, on Condition I might meet with so much of God every day as I have done this day. Now the Lord give you more of that good part which cannot be taken from you. Let the Lord give you a Name [...] than of Sons, an Everlasting Name, whi [...]h shall not be cut off. Which is the Prayer of him who is, in much Affection,

YOURS to Serve, Increase Mather.

§

§

Errata. p. 20. l. 24. dele not. p. 27 l▪ 1▪ for me [...] ▪

Information about this book

Title statement

A discourse concerning the uncertainty of the times of men, and the necessity of being prepared for sudden changes & death. Delivered in a sermon preached at Cambridge in New England. Decemb. 6. 1696. On occasion of the sudden death of two scholars belonging to Harvard Colledge. / By Increase Mather, praesident of that colledge. ; [Two lines from I Samuel]

Mather, Increase, 1639-1723.

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Text Creation Partnership,

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2004-08.

ID [DLPS]

N00657

ID [TCP]

N00657

ID [STC]

Evans 799

ID [STC]

Wing M1201

ID [NOTIS]

APY3672

ID [IMAGE-SET]

799

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99030791

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Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 799.

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(Evans-TCP ; no. N00657)

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— A discourse concerning the uncertainty of the times of men, and the necessity of being prepared for sudden changes & death. Delivered in a sermon preached at Cambridge in New England. Decemb. 6. 1696. On occasion of the sudden death of two scholars belonging to Harvard Colledge. / By Increase Mather, praesident of that colledge. ; [Two lines from I Samuel], Mather, Increase, 1639-1723., Eyre, John, d. 1700, dedicatee..

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40 p. ; (8vo)

Printed by B. Green, and J. Allen, for Samuel Phillips, at the brick shop.,. Boston in New England. :: 1697.. (Running title: Man knows not his time.) ("Errata"--p. 40.)

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