these_o thing_n be_v premise_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o offer_v such_o argument_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o mutability_n of_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n as_o shall_v be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o conviction_n of_o any_o man_n who_o be_v not_o blind_v by_o prejudice_n or_o prepossess_v with_o some_o contrary_a notion_n and_o first_o upon_o the_o observance_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n there_o be_v many_o promise_n in_o scripture_n assure_v we_o of_o length_n of_o day_n &_o on_o the_o other_o side_n there_o be_v many_o threaten_n of_o cut_a short_a the_o day_n of_o the_o wicked_a thus_o god_n promise_v length_n of_o day_n to_o obedient_a child_n exod._n 20._o 12._o honour_n thy_o father_n and_o mother_n that_o thy_o day_n may_v be_v long_o upon_o the_o land_n which_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n give_v thou_o deut._n 4._o 40._o thou_o shall_v keep_v therefore_o his_o statute_n and_o his_o commandment_n which_o i_o command_v thou_o this_o day_n that_o it_o may_v go_v well_o with_o thou_o and_o with_o thy_o child_n after_o thou_o and_o that_o thou_o may_v prolong_v thy_o day_n upon_o the_o earth_n which_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n give_v thou_o and_o particular_o the_o lord_n tell_v solomon_n 1_o king_n 3._o 4._o if_o thou_o will_v walk_v in_o my_o way_n to_o keep_v my_o statute_n and_o my_o commandment_n as_o thy_o father_n david_n do_v walk_v than_o i_o will_v lengthen_v thy_o dâ—ys_n the_o psalmist_n encourage_v man_n to_o consider_v the_o case_n of_o the_o poor_a upon_o this_o motive_n psal_n 42._o 1_o 2._o bless_a be_v he_o that_o consider_v the_o poor_a the_o lord_n will_v preserve_v he_o and_o keep_v he_o alive_a etc._n etc._n and_o upon_o this_o acount_n the_o wiseman_n also_o persuade_v man_n to_o observe_v and_o keep_v god_n law_n prov._n 3._o 1_o 2._o my_o son_n forget_v not_o my_o law_n but_o let_v thy_o heart_n keep_v my_o commandment_n for_o length_n of_o day_n and_o long_a life_n and_o peace_n shall_v they_o add_v to_o thou_o how_o much_o the_o observance_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n conduce_v to_o our_o health_n be_v a_o thing_n daily_a experience_n atte_v and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n very_o excellent_o exhort_v timothy_n to_o exercise_v himself_o unto_o godliness_n for_o it_o be_v profitable_a unto_o all_o thing_n have_v promise_n of_o the_o life_n that_o now_o be_v and_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v 1_o tim._n 4._o 8._o religion_n be_v as_o a_o bridle_n to_o keep_v man_n within_o due_a bound_n in_o their_o eat_n and_o drink_v it_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o excess_n which_o impares_fw-la our_o bodily_a health_n and_o oblige_v man_n to_o make_v use_n of_o lawful_a mean_n for_o their_o preservation_n and_o recovery_n if_o we_o consult_v experience_n we_o shall_v find_v these_o to_o be_v the_o man_n who_o for_o ordinary_a enjoy_v the_o long_a life_n it_o be_v true_a some_o good_a man_n may_v be_v natural_o of_o a_o brittle_a constitution_n and_o other_o god_n may_v remove_v for_o secret_a end_n know_v to_o himself_o yet_o for_o ordinary_a the_o godly_a man_n who_o natural_a temper_n be_v strong_a have_v the_o advantage_n of_o the_o wicked_a man_n and_o certain_o religion_n in_o its_o due_a tendency_n prescribe_v the_o best_a rule_n for_o long_a life_n as_o righteousness_n tend_v to_o life_n so_o he_o that_o pursue_v evil_a as_o the_o wiseman_n tell_v we_o pursue_v it_o to_o his_o own_o death_n prov._n 11._o 19_o we_o have_v a_o large_a catalogue_n of_o the_o punishment_n inflict_v for_o sin_n exod._n 26._o where_o more_o particular_o v_o 16._o the_o lord_n threaten_v to_o appoint_v over_o those_o who_o obey_v not_o his_o law_n terror_n consumption_n and_o the_o burn_a ague_n &_o that_o man_n may_v not_o foolish_o think_v all_o these_o be_v but_o threaten_n which_o god_n intend_v not_o to_o inflict_v upon_o poor_a man_n the_o prophet_n isaiah_n tell_v we_o if_o you_o refuse_v and_o rebel_n you_o shall_v be_v devour_v with_o the_o sword_n for_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v it_o isa._n 1._o 20._o and_o the_o wiseman_n conclude_v it_o as_o certain_a prov._n 10._o 27._o the_o year_n of_o the_o wicked_a shall_v be_v shorten_v and_o to_o conclude_v the_o psalmist_n also_o tell_v we_o bloody_a and_o deceitful_a man_n shall_v not_o live_v out_o half_a their_o day_n psal._n 55._o 23._o which_o the_o poet_n very_o well_o express_v ad_fw-la generum_fw-la cereris_fw-la sine_fw-la caede_fw-la ac_fw-la sanguine_fw-la pauci_fw-la descendunt_fw-la reges_fw-la et_fw-la sicca_fw-la morte_fw-la tyranni_fw-la and_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o may_v be_v evident_a likewise_o from_o common_a experience_n by_o which_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o no_o man_n be_v so_o obnoxious_a to_o disease_n as_o the_o wicked_a who_o spend_v their_o time_n in_o chamber_v and_o wantonness_n in_o riot_n and_o excesss_n who_o have_v woe_n who_o have_v sorrow_n who_o have_v wound_n without_o cause_n they_o that_o tarry_v long_o at_o the_o wine_n prov._n 23._o 29_o 30._o what_o the_o wiseman_n say_v of_o one_o kind_n of_o vice_n may_v be_v say_v of_o all_o they_o lead_v down_o to_o the_o chamber_n of_o death_n prov._n 7._o 27._o but_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o obvious_a that_o i_o need_v not_o to_o enlarge_v upon_o they_o i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o argument_n with_o this_o consideration_n that_o since_o god_n almighty_a promise_n to_o extend_v and_o lengthen_v out_o or_o prolong_v their_o life_n who_o walk_v pious_o and_o observe_v his_o statute_n and_o threaten_v to_o shorten_v the_o day_n of_o the_o wicked_a who_o refuse_v to_o obey_v his_o law_n it_o can_v be_v rational_o imagine_v that_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v absolute_o determine_v another_o argument_n to_o confirm_v our_o assertion_n may_v be_v take_v from_o the_o pious_a &_o devout_a prayer_n of_o the_o righteous_a and_o their_o turn_n from_o their_o sin_n by_o a_o hearty_a repentance_n both_o which_o conduce_v to_o the_o lengthen_v out_o of_o their_o day_n i_o put_v repentance_n and_o prayer_n together_o because_o of_o their_o near_a affinity_n to_o one_o another_o now_o that_o both_o these_o may_v be_v the_o moral_a cause_n of_o extend_v our_o life_n may_v appear_v to_o be_v true_a from_o common_a experience_n beside_o the_o many_o assertion_n and_o promise_n in_o scripture_n to_o this_o purpose_n first_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o may_v be_v evident_a from_o experience_n by_o which_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o if_o man_n have_v hearken_v to_o noah_n doctrine_n if_o they_o have_v repent_v of_o their_o wickedness_n within_o the_o space_n allow_v to_o they_o they_o have_v not_o perish_v in_o the_o deluge_n of_o water_n of_o repent_v nineve_n we_o read_v that_o god_n see_v their_o work_n that_o they_o turn_v from_o their_o evil_a way_n and_o god_n repent_v of_o the_o evil_n he_o have_v say_v that_o he_o will_v do_v unto_o they_o and_o he_o do_v it_o not_o jonah_n 3._o 10._o it_o be_v hezekiah_n prayer_n and_o tear_n that_o prolong_v his_o life_n go_v say_v the_o lord_n to_o his_o prophet_n isaiah_n and_o say_v to_o hezekiah_n thus_o say_v the_o lord_n the_o god_n of_o david_n thy_o father_n i_o have_v hear_v thy_o prayer_n i_o have_v see_v thy_o tear_n behold_v i_o will_v add_v unto_o thy_o day_n fifteen_o year_n isa._n 38._o 5._o and_o if_o prayer_n be_v of_o no_o force_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v man_n so_o earnest_a in_o their_o sickness_n to_o beg_v the_o prayer_n of_o other_o on_o their_o behalf_n i_o confess_v if_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v fatal_o determine_v our_o prayer_n shall_v be_v very_o needless_a for_o can_v we_o be_v so_o senseless_a as_o to_o imagine_v that_o our_o prayer_n can_v move_v god_n to_o change_v his_o unalterable_a statute_n and_o decree_n but_o beside_o common_a experience_n the_o truth_n of_o this_o be_v likewise_o attest_v by_o plain_a evidence_n from_o scripture_n at_o what_o instant_n i_o shall_v speak_v concern_v a_o nation_n and_o concern_v a_o kingdom_n to_o pluck_v up_o and_o to_o pull_v down_o and_o to_o destroy_v it_o if_o that_o nation_n against_o who_o i_o have_v pronounce_v turn_v from_o their_o evil_n i_o will_v repent_v of_o the_o evil_a that_o i_o think_v to_o do_v unto_o they_o and_o at_o what_o instant_a i_o shall_v speak_v concern_v a_o kingdom_n to_o plant_v it_o if_o it_o do_v evil_a in_o my_o sight_n that_o it_o obey_v not_o my_o voice_n then_o will_v i_o repent_v of_o the_o good_a wherewith_o i_o say_v i_o will_v benefit_v they_o jer._n 18_o 7_o 8_o 9_o 10._o methinks_v this_o be_v so_o plain_a a_o evidence_n of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o repentance_n that_o no_o reasonable_a man_n can_v have_v any_o doubt_n concern_v it_o but_o alas_o if_o god_n have_v from_o the_o outgoing_n of_o eternity_n fatal_o determine_v the_o destruction_n of_o nation_n and_o kingdom_n by_o
trouble_v thou_o take_v away_o their_o breath_n they_o die_v and_o return_v to_o their_o dust_n psal._n 104._o 29._o 3._o it_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o job_n former_a desire_n chap._n 3._o and_o 6._o why_o die_v i_o not_o from_o the_o womb_n why_o do_v i_o not_o give_v up_o the_o ghost_n when_o i_o come_v out_o of_o the_o belly_n for_o now_o shall_v i_o have_v lie_v still_o and_o be_v quiet_v i_o shall_v have_v steep_v then_o have_v i_o be_v at_o rest_n o_o that_o i_o may_v have_v my_o request_n even_o that_o it_o will_v please_v god_n to_o destroy_v i_o that_o the_o phrase_n can_v never_o admit_v the_o former_a gloss_n evident_o appear_v from_o the_o word_n immediate_o follow_v for_o if_o job_n have_v be_v plead_v for_o death_n why_o be_v that_o reason_n add_v that_o he_o may_v accomplish_v his_o day_n it_o be_v only_o then_o a_o cessation_n from_o his_o grievous_a affliction_n that_o he_o so_o earnest_o intreat_v as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v lord_n thy_o afflict_a hand_n be_v heavy_a and_o what_o be_o i_o but_o weak_a dust_n not_o able_a to_o bear_v thy_o heavy_a chastisement_n my_o soul_n be_v overburden_v with_o grief_n and_o will_v thou_o set_v thy_o terror_n before_o i_o to_o affright_v i_o have_v not_o poor_a man_n in_o this_o lapse_v state_n troop_n of_o misery_n attend_v he_o from_o which_o he_o may_v expect_v no_o freedom_n till_o mortality_n be_v swallow_v up_o in_o life_n and_o be_v not_o his_o few_o day_n labour_n and_o sorrow_n pain_n and_o affliction_n and_o will_v thou_o to_o those_o inseparable_a evil_n superadd_a a_o burden_n of_o pain_n more_o grievous_a and_o insufferable_a o_o do_v not_o measure_v out_o so_o dismal_a a_o condition_n to_o thy_o silly_a creature_n make_v i_o not_o the_o object_n of_o thy_o direful_a vengeance_n but_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o wrath_n remember_v mercy_n be_v thou_o not_o goodness_n itself_o and_o far_o more_o compassionate_a than_o the_o most_o tender_a parent_n and_o shall_v it_o be_v say_v thou_o have_v measure_v out_o so_o acute_a torment_n to_o vex_v thy_o poor_a creature_n i_o confess_v perfection_n be_v not_o the_o thing_n i_o plead_v yet_o may_v not_o i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o for_o my_o iniquity_n nor_o for_o my_o sin_n that_o thou_o have_v afflict_v i_o and_o let_v this_o consideration_n also_o prevail_v with_o thou_o that_o my_o untender_a friend_n sad_o mistake_v thy_o design_n in_o afflict_v i_o they_o conclude_v it_o be_v for_o some_o secret_a heinous_a crime_n that_o thy_o judgement_n be_v upon_o i_o o_o that_o thou_o will_v turn_v from_o thy_o wrath_n that_o i_o may_v enjoy_v some_o rest_n before_o i_o go_v whence_o i_o shall_v not_o return_v this_o phrase_n turn_v from_o he_o be_v sometime_o take_v in_o a_o very_a bad_a sense_n thus_o we_o find_v the_o wicked_a sad_o characterise_v as_o a_o people_n who_o desire_n god_n to_o depart_v from_o they_o but_o as_o it_o be_v utter_v by_o the_o people_n of_o god_n under_o the_o pressure_n of_o affliction_n it_o imply_v no_o more_o but_o a_o serious_a desire_n that_o god_n will_v be_v please_v to_o remove_v that_o burden_n now_o in_o such_o innocent_a petition_n there_o appear_v no_o crime_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o affliction_n simple_o consider_v be_v grievous_a even_o to_o the_o best_a of_o mankind_n there_o be_v no_o affliction_n say_v the_o apostle_n for_o the_o present_a that_o be_v joyous_a but_o grievous_a it_o be_v true_a impatience_n under_o affliction_n be_v a_o excess_n which_o no_o excuse_n whatsoever_o can_v pardon_v there_o be_v some_o person_n of_o such_o hasty_a complexion_n that_o they_o rise_v in_o passion_n against_o god_n if_o they_o meet_v with_o the_o least_o affliction_n just_o like_o that_o wretched_a man_n who_o say_v this_o evil_n be_v of_o the_o lord_n why_o shall_v we_o wait_v any_o long_o upon_o he_o but_o those_o petition_n of_o the_o faithful_a in_o holy_a writ_n although_o at_o the_o first_o view_n they_o seem_v to_o be_v peremptory_a and_o absolute_a yet_o they_o be_v true_o qualify_v and_o submissive_a and_o at_o the_o most_o only_o express_v the_o harmless_a resentment_n of_o innocent_a nature_n that_o can_v but_o express_v how_o contrary_a affliction_n be_v to_o it_o that_o he_o may_v rest_v ut_fw-la quiescat_fw-la sc_n paululum_fw-la that_o his_o affliction_n be_v remove_v he_o may_v yet_o enjoy_v a_o little_a space_n to_o solace_v himself_o till_o he_o accomplish_v his_o day_n i_o will_v purposely_o decline_v the_o answer_n of_o that_o query_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o wish_v death_n when_o our_o condition_n be_v charge_v with_o a_o surplusage_n of_o calamity_n for_o the_o brevity_n i_o design_n will_v not_o suffer_v i_o to_o survey_v the_o difficulty_n of_o that_o case_n only_o in_o the_o general_n i_o shall_v add_v two_o thing_n 1._o if_o the_o affliction_n be_v violent_a fierce_a and_o seem_o durable_a render_v we_o uncapable_a of_o exercise_v any_o duty_n i_o question_v not_o but_o common_a reason_n will_v suggest_v to_o every_o sober_a man_n that_o in_o that_o case_n death_n be_v more_o eligible_a than_o life_n yet_o 2._o since_o we_o be_v ignorant_a what_o god_n design_n to_o we_o by_o send_v we_o such_o afflicti-ons_a it_o be_v our_o part_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o lord_n will_v and_o say_v good_a be_v the_o will_n of_o the_o lord_n thus_o although_o we_o may_v comparative_o and_o submissive_o wish_v death_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o some_o acute_a trial_n yet_o it_o be_v never_o lawful_a to_o be_v peremptory_a and_o absolute_a in_o such_o desire_n for_o frequent_o the_o happy_a event_n make_v man_n conclude_v that_o it_o be_v good_a for_o they_o they_o be_v afflict_v rest_v etc._n etc._n methinks_v the_o very_a sound_n of_o this_o word_n be_v full_a of_o ravish_a sweetness_n and_o pleasure_n and_o yet_o to_o those_o who_o be_v state_v in_o a_o condition_n of_o woe_n and_o misery_n it_o be_v bitter_a and_o harsh_a as_o the_o most_o ravish_a and_o pleasant_a music_n be_v in_o the_o ear_n of_o he_o who_o be_v sad_a those_o who_o never_o taste_v the_o honeycomb_n know_v not_o its_o sweetness_n the_o man_n who_o have_v be_v always_o drudge_n and_o slave_n have_v no_o discern_v what_o liberty_n be_v and_o those_o who_o from_o their_o birth_n have_v be_v accustom_v to_o pain_n know_v not_o their_o misery_n so_o sensible_o but_o to_o have_v once_o enjoy_v blessing_n and_o on_o a_o sudden_a to_o be_v deprive_v of_o they_o not_o only_o the_o unexpected_a change_n but_o also_o their_o former_a happiness_n add_v to_o their_o misery_n and_o make_v their_o condition_n more_o unsufferable_a if_o man_n have_v be_v create_v to_o toil_n and_o labour_n his_o eat_n of_o bread_n in_o the_o sweat_n of_o his_o face_n have_v be_v no_o curse_n but_o to_o have_v be_v place_v in_o a_o bless_a and_o happy_a state_n and_o by_o his_o folly_n to_o be_v hurl_v into_o a_o state_n of_o misery_n and_o pain_n that_o complete_v his_o calamity_n and_o make_v he_o sensible_a how_o miserable_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o have_v be_v happy_a this_o single_a consideration_n seem_v to_o add_v very_o much_o to_o job_n misery_n his_o condition_n be_v once_o more_o than_o ordinary_a happy_a and_o the_o amission_n of_o the_o comfort_n he_o former_o enjoy_v make_v he_o pathetical_o cry_v out_o o_o that_o i_o be_v as_o in_o month_n past_a as_o in_o the_o day_n when_o god_n preserve_v i_o but_o now_o as_o he_o sad_o complain_v they_o that_o be_v young_a than_o i_o have_v i_o in_o derision_n if_o job_n in_o this_o state_n of_o woe_n have_v be_v persuade_v of_o the_o certain_a change_n of_o his_o condition_n and_o that_o his_o latter_a end_n shall_v be_v more_o bless_v than_o his_o beginning_n the_o expect_a hope_n of_o this_o have_v serve_v to_o allay_v and_o mitigate_v his_o sorrow_n and_o to_o render_v his_o case_n more_o sufferable_a and_o easy_a it_o be_v the_o hop_n of_o rest_n that_o put_v strength_n in_o the_o weary_a traveller_n it_o be_v the_o expect_a reward_n and_o assurance_n of_o a_o future_a blessedness_n and_o better_a resurrection_n which_o make_v those_o worthy_n heb._n 11._o so_o cheerful_o undergo_v suffer_v what_o the_o happiness_n of_o the_o saint_n rest_n be_v i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o represent_v it_o be_v so_o far_o above_o any_o thing_n we_o can_v in_o this_o imperfect_a state_n conceive_v or_o imagine_v the_o advantage_n that_o attend_v our_o present_a tranquillity_n and_o rest_n be_v many_o and_o great_a which_o to_o enumerate_v will_v be_v prolix_a and_o tedious_a but_o if_o from_o that_o we_o shall_v frame_v to_o ourselves_o a_o idea_n of_o that_o celestial_a rest_n how_o imperfect_a will_v it_o be_v any_o rest_v we_o enjoy_v here_o be_v uncertain_a a_o unthought-of_a causality_n may_v impair_v it_o but_o the_o rest_n that_o remain_v for_o the_o people_n of_o god_n
be_v everlasting_a there_o be_v no_o fear_n of_o lose_v it_o heaven_n be_v a_o place_n free_a from_o trouble_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v embitter_v that_o pleasant_a state_n philosopher_n have_v a_o say_n that_o the_o end_n of_o motion_n be_v rest_n this_o be_v indeed_o true_a of_o all_o those_o motion_n and_o trial_n the_o servant_n of_o god_n meet_v with_o the_o way_n to_o the_o kingdom_n be_v spread_v over_o with_o thistle_n through_o many_o tribulation_n we_o must_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o those_o wave_n of_o affliction_n will_v quick_o over_o and_o when_o the_o day_n break_v these_o shadow_n will_v flee_v away_o this_o winter_n will_v soon_o be_v pass_v and_o the_o sing_n of_o the_o bird_n will_v come_v and_o christian_n who_o by_o say_v and_o patience_n continue_v in_o well-doing_n shall_v ere_o be_v long_o be_v place_v in_o those_o mansion_n of_o rest_n that_o be_v in_o emanuels_n land_n alas_o how_o insensible_a do_v we_o remain_v under_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o our_o outward_a comfort_n when_o we_o be_v bless_v with_o food_n liberty_n and_o health_n we_o be_v but_o sensible_o stupid_a and_o ignorant_a what_o be_v the_o value_n of_o those_o mercy_n but_o if_o hunger_n and_o want_n begin_v to_o pinch_v we_o if_o our_o former_a liberty_n be_v hedge_v in_o if_o sickness_n and_o pain_n seize_v upon_o we_o than_o we_o begin_v to_o gather_v some_o sense_n and_o we_o accuse_v ourselves_o for_o our_o ingratitude_n to_o god_n till_o he_o shall_v accomplish_v as_o a_o hireling_n his_o day_n for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o this_o similitude_n i_o shall_v in_o four_o particular_n compare_v the_o day_n of_o man_n with_o the_o day_n of_o a_o hierling_n and_o in_o each_o of_o they_o make_v application_n to_o job_n case_n 1._o the_o day_n of_o a_o hierling_n denote_v a_o time_n set_v prefix_a and_o limit_v for_o the_o performance_n of_o some_o particular_a piece_n of_o service_n and_o be_v not_o the_o day_n of_o man_n also_o allot_v he_o for_o to_o do_v his_o master_n business_n we_o be_v not_o bear_v to_o be_v idle_a and_o negligent_a sure_a god_n have_v some_o great_a design_n in_o the_o creation_n of_o man_n than_o this_o now_o this_o particular_a quadrate_n very_o well_o with_o job_n case_n and_o seem_v to_o make_v the_o meaning_n of_o job_n word_n to_o run_v thus_o lord_n thou_o have_v give_v i_o a_o be_v and_o appoint_v i_o a_o work_n to_o accomplish_v but_o alas_o while_o i_o be_o thus_o excruciate_v with_o horror_n and_o pain_n i_o be_o unfit_a for_o thy_o service_n the_o surplusage_n of_o misery_n measure_v out_o to_o i_o disinable_v i_o to_o go_v about_o thy_o work_n be_v entreat_v therefore_o o_o merciful_a father_n to_o turn_v from_o thy_o displeasure_n remove_v the_o present_a heavy_a calamity_n i_o be_o overburden_v with_o that_o i_o may_v yet_o accomplish_v the_o remainder_n of_o my_o time_n in_o thy_o work_n and_o service_n 2._o this_o set_v and_o fix_a day_n of_o the_o hireling_n be_v full_a of_o pain_n labour_n and_o toil_n he_o be_v poor_a wretch_n both_o late_a and_o early_o at_o work_n and_o seldom_o have_v he_o any_o interwal_n of_o rest_n unless_o his_o master_n be_v more_o than_o ordinary_a gentle_a and_o benign_a and_o when_o he_o be_v thus_o indulge_v a_o little_a ease_n he_o must_v not_o with_o the_o sluggard_n say_v o_o si_fw-la hoc_fw-la esset_fw-la laborare_fw-la he_o must_v to_o his_o work_n again_o for_o upon_o this_o depend_v his_o payment_n no_o wage_n be_v the_o result_n of_o not_o work_v and_o in_o some_o case_n stripe_n and_o whip_n be_v the_o fruit_n of_o negligence_n and_o what_o be_v man_n life_n at_o the_o best_a state_n it_o be_v but_o sorrow_n and_o trouble_n till_o mortality_n be_v swallow_v up_o in_o life_n our_o pleasure_n upon_o which_o we_o put_v the_o high_a value_n be_v either_o purchase_v or_o accompany_v with_o pain_n and_o labour_n if_o we_o be_v in_o a_o prosperous_a state_n our_o mind_n be_v either_o distract_v with_o care_n to_o make_v it_o more_o prosperous_a or_o with_o fear_n puzzle_v and_o perplex_v lest_o it_o be_v overcleud_v and_o if_o we_o be_v in_o a_o low_a and_o adverse_a state_n we_o grieve_v and_o repine_v nay_o knowledge_n the_o most_o excellent_a of_o earthly_a pleasure_n be_v yet_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n but_o vexation_n of_o spirit_n for_o in_o much_o wisdom_n there_o be_v much_o grief_n and_o he_o that_o increase_v knowledge_n increase_v sorrow_n the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v not_o unfit_o compare_v to_o ezekiel_n roll_v which_o be_v full_a of_o woe_n if_o one_o misery_n or_o woe_n pass_v behold_v another_o come_v as_o one_o wave_n succeed_v another_o and_o by_o all_o these_o calamity_n we_o may_v learn_v what_o a_o evil_a sin_n be_v the_o fruit_n of_o which_o be_v all_o those_o calamity_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o sweat_n of_o thy_o face_n shall_v thou_o eat_v thy_o bread_n till_o thou_o return_v unto_o the_o ground_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n job_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o plead_v with_o god_n thus_o lord_n be_v not_o my_o time_n at_o best_a but_o lamentable_a and_o miserable_a and_o will_v thou_o superadd_a to_o this_o inevitable_a misery_n a_o surplusage_n of_o pain_n and_o affliction_n o_o deal_v kind_o with_o thy_o servant_n who_o be_v devote_v to_o thy_o fear_n turn_v from_o i_o that_o i_o may_v rest_v till_o i_o shall_v accomplish_v as_o a_o hireling_n my_o day_n three_o true_a it_o be_v that_o the_o hireling_n day_n be_v but_o labour_n and_o pain_n yet_o the_o brevity_n and_o shortness_n thereof_o make_v he_o regard_v it_o the_o less_o it_o be_v but_o a_o day_n and_o that_o will_v quick_o be_v over_o and_o go_v and_o what_o be_v the_o life_n of_o man_n it_o be_v but_o as_o a_o handbredth_n of_o a_o small_a extension_n or_o like_v to_o a_o pass_a shadow_n which_o we_o scarce_o soon_o perceive_v than_o it_o vanish_v man_n that_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o woman_n be_v of_o few_o day_n he_o come_v forth_o like_o a_o flower_n and_o be_v cut_v down_o his_o decay_a be_v within_o some_o few_o minute_n of_o his_o bud_n as_o the_o poet_n speak_v of_o rose_n &_o dum_fw-la nascuntur_fw-la consenuisse_fw-la rosas_n now_o from_o this_o reason_n job_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o argue_v thus_o lord_n thou_o know_v how_o frail_a and_o brittle_a i_o be_o and_o if_o thou_o contend_v thus_o with_o i_o how_o quick_o shall_v i_o return_v to_o the_o dust_n i_o beseech_v thou_o consider_v that_o my_o time_n be_v however_o but_o short_a and_o let_v thy_o goodness_n appear_v in_o remove_v thy_o stroke_n away_o from_o i_o for_o i_o be_o consume_v by_o the_o blow_n of_o thy_o hand_n o_o spare_v i_o that_o i_o may_v recover_v strength_n before_o i_o go_v hence_o and_o be_v no_o more_o four_o there_a and_o wage_n the_o hireling_n expect_v make_v the_o accomplish_n of_o his_o day_n more_o easy_a and_o tolerable_a the_o word_n render_v accomplish_v signify_v to_o will_n and_o delight_n in_o a_o thing_n earnest_o donec_fw-la optata_fw-la veniat_fw-la dies_fw-la it_o be_v a_o day_n wish_a and_o long_v for_o and_o much_o delight_v in_o when_o it_o come_v and_o indeed_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o comparison_n seem_v to_o lie_v in_o this_o which_o make_v the_o meaning_n of_o job_n word_n to_o be_v this_o lord_n now_o my_o trouble_n and_o pain_n excruciat_n and_o torment_n i_o and_o my_o life_n be_v more_o wearisome_a to_o i_o than_o the_o hireling_n day_n can_v be_v to_o he_o therefore_o turn_v away_o thy_o wrath_n from_o i_o that_o in_o the_o finish_n of_o my_o course_n i_o may_v be_v as_o jovial_a and_o cheerful_a as_o the_o hiereling_n be_v when_o his_o day_n be_v accomplish_v and_o thus_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o explanation_n of_o these_o word_n the_o next_o thing_n i_o design_v in_o this_o undertake_n be_v to_o inquire_v how_o the_o day_n of_o every_o man_n life_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v determine_v and_o whether_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v so_o fix_v and_o bound_v that_o by_o his_o care_n good_a managery_n and_o use_v of_o the_o mean_n it_o can_v be_v extend_v nor_o shorten_v by_o his_o negligence_n intemperance_n or_o expose_v of_o himself_o to_o famine_n sword_n or_o plague_n it_o be_v very_o certain_a from_o this_o plain_a text_n of_o scripture_n that_o the_o day_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v determine_v but_o the_o manner_n how_o be_v leave_v unexplain_v and_o this_o we_o do_v not_o learn_v from_o scripture_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o our_o curiosity_n will_v forbear_v any_o enquiry_n into_o thing_n that_o be_v hide_v but_o alas_o our_o inclination_n be_v so_o wicked_a and_o perverse_a that_o nitimur_fw-la in_o vetitum_fw-la we_o be_v always_o bend_v and_o eager_a in_o our_o inquiry_n
every_o age_n who_o die_v a_o natural_a death_n we_o may_v suppose_v that_o eight_o hundred_o year_n be_v the_o common_a period_n before_o the_o flood_n but_o then_o after_o the_o flood_n the_o mutability_n of_o this_o common_a period_n be_v conspicuous_a for_o in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o the_o flood_n it_o be_v cut_v short_a two_o hundred_o year_n and_o in_o the_o next_o three_o succeed_v generation_n it_o be_v abridge_v to_o four_o hundred_o year_n and_o in_o the_o three_o succeed_a age_n to_o the_o former_a it_o be_v reduce_v to_o two_o hundred_o year_n and_o in_o abraham_n time_n it_o seem_v not_o to_o have_v be_v extend_v to_o a_o hundred_o year_n in_o reduce_v the_o life_n of_o mankind_n into_o short_a bound_n now_o than_o it_o be_v in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o world_n the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n do_v very_o plain_o appear_v for_o 1._o although_o it_o be_v true_a that_o sin_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o misery_n yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o as_o man_n begin_v to_o multiply_v so_o they_o become_v more_o corrupt_v and_o as_o the_o earth_n be_v replenish_v with_o man_n so_o with_o multiply_a misery_n and_o those_o not_o only_o particular_a but_o common_a war_n and_o bloodshed_n slavery_n and_o toil_n pain_n and_o disease_n be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n very_o rare_a and_o singular_a now_o these_o be_v ordinary_a and_o common_a and_o be_v it_o not_o then_o a_o great_a mercy_n that_o the_o day_n of_o our_o life_n be_v few_o since_o so_o full_a of_o evil_n but_o 2._o if_o man_n live_v as_o long_o now_o as_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n a_o land_n will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o contain_v its_o inhabitant_n and_o this_o be_v a_o far_o great_a inconvenience_n and_o disadvantage_n than_o the_o shorten_n the_o lease_n of_o our_o being_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v extend_v that_o the_o earth_n may_v be_v replenish_v and_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o this_o common_a period_n be_v shorten_v according_a as_o man_n miultply_v i_o confess_v god_n threaten_v to_o destroy_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o a_o land_n for_o their_o transgression_n it_o be_v because_o man_n have_v corrupt_v themselves_o that_o god_n bring_v a_o flood_n of_o water_n upon_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o the_o divine_a justice_n be_v accompany_v with_o astonish_a goodness_n for_o he_o do_v not_o as_o just_o he_o may_v have_v instant_o cut_v off_o that_o perverse_a generation_n but_o he_o give_v they_o the_o space_n of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n to_o repent_v yet_o say_v god_n his_o day_n shall_v be_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n gen._n 6._o 3._o that_o be_v altough_o this_o be_v a_o perverse_a and_o corrupt_a geveration_n yet_o because_o man_n be_v but_o flesh_n i_o will_v give_v he_o this_o time_n to_o repent_v of_o his_o wickedness_n and_o if_o notwithstanding_o he_o will_v not_o after_o such_o warning_n mend_v his_o manner_n i_o will_v destroy_v he_o i_o know_v many_o learned_a man_n think_v that_o god_n here_o only_o threaten_v to_o shorten_v the_o common_a period_n of_o man_n life_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v contract_v within_o the_o bound_n of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n but_o this_o exposition_n be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o experience_n of_o some_o age_n next_o follow_v the_o flood_n in_o which_o man_n live_v much_o long_o than_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n but_o they_o say_v god_n use_v not_o toanticipate_v his_o time_n in_o bring_v judgement_n upon_o a_o nation_n or_o people_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v very_o true_a but_o methinks_v man_n have_v no_o ground_n to_o think_v that_o in_o the_o present_a case_n god_n anticipate_v the_o time_n in_o bring_v judgement_n upon_o they_o for_o we_o can_v think_v that_o noah_n be_v complete_a five_o hundred_o year_n old_a when_o god_n threaten_v to_o destroy_v the_o world_n and_o indeed_o any_o man_n who_o be_v but_o a_o little_a acquaint_v with_o the_o jewish_a custom_n of_o reckon_n of_o year_n know_v how_o usual_a it_o be_v with_o they_o to_o name_v the_o great_a part_n of_o any_o thing_n for_o the_o whole_a st._n austin_n be_v so_o clear_a in_o this_o i_o will_v rather_o set_v it_o down_o in_o his_o word_n than_o my_o own_o intelligendum_fw-la est_fw-la hoc_fw-la deum_fw-la dixisse_fw-la cum_fw-la circa_fw-la finem_fw-la que_a entorum_fw-la annorum_fw-la esset_fw-la noah_n i_o e._n quadragintos_fw-la octoginta_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la annos_fw-la agereâ—_n quos_fw-la more_fw-it svo_fw-la scriptura_fw-la quingentos_fw-la vocat_fw-la nomine_fw-la totius_fw-la maximam_fw-la partem_fw-la plerumque_fw-la significans_fw-la aug._n the_o civ_o dei_fw-la lib._n 15._o c._n 24._o thus_o much_o i_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o common_a period_n of_o humane_a life_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o age_n of_o the_o world_n i_o shall_v now_o add_v a_o little_a concern_v its_o changeableness_n in_o respect_n of_o place_n and_o i_o confess_v in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v so_o variable_a that_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o pitch_v upon_o particular_n only_o in_o the_o general_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o common_a period_n be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o all_o place_n in_o a_o temperate_a climate_n this_o common_a term_n be_v extend_v but_o where_o there_o be_v a_o excess_n of_o heat_n or_o a_o unconstancy_n of_o the_o weather_n in_o those_o place_n this_o common_a period_n be_v shorten_v but_o pass_v this_o i_o come_v now_o to_o consider_v the_o particular_a period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n there_o be_v two_o way_n it_o be_v common_o take_v 1._o as_o it_o imply_v the_o disunion_n of_o the_o part_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o excess_n of_o some_o one_o quality_n or_o other_o or_o 2._o as_o it_o imply_v the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n whatever_o way_n it_o be_v occasion_v without_o any_o relation_n either_o to_o the_o defect_n or_o excess_n of_o any_o quality_n and_o thus_o the_o learned_a episcopius_n state_n the_o case_n in_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o jo._n beverovicius_n but_o to_o make_v this_o yet_o more_o plain_a i_o shall_v consider_v that_o text_n 1._o sam._n 26._o 10._o as_o the_o lord_n live_v the_o lord_n shall_v smite_v he_o or_o his_o day_n shall_v come_v to_o die_v or_o he_o shall_v descend_v into_o battle_n and_o perish_v though_o david_n be_v anoint_v king_n yet_o he_o dare_v not_o stretch_v forth_o his_o hand_n against_o the_o lord_n anoint_v neither_o will_v he_o permit_v abishai_n who_o inconsiderat_o offer_v to_o do_v it_o know_v none_o can_v do_v so_o and_o be_v guiltless_a therefore_o he_o comfort_v and_o solace_n himself_o with_o this_o consideration_n that_o god_n shall_v rid_v he_o of_o saul_n one_o of_o these_o three_o way_n 1._o by_o smite_v he_o with_o some_o disease_n and_o now_o to_o what_o a_o numberless_a number_n of_o disease_n be_v our_o frail_a nature_n incident_a variety_n of_o malady_n prey_n upon_o frail_a man_n and_o million_o of_o misery_n attend_v he_o the_o pestilence_n walk_v at_o noonday_n and_o the_o air_n which_o he_o breathe_v may_v blow_v out_o the_o spark_n of_o his_o life_n 2._o or_o his_o day_n will_v come_v that_o be_v or_o he_o will_v die_v a_o natural_a death_n now_o saul_n be_v well-stricken_a in_o year_n and_o he_o know_v that_o by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n he_o can_v not_o live_v long_o 3_o or_o he_o shall_v descend_v into_o battle_n and_o perish_v that_o be_v if_o some_o disease_n cut_v he_o not_o off_o or_o if_o his_o day_n come_v not_o yet_o he_o shall_v be_v expose_v to_o a_o violent_a death_n or_o he_o shall_v descend_v into_o battle_n sometime_o a_o violent_a death_n be_v pure_o casual_a thus_o it_o be_v with_o those_o eighteen_o upon_o who_o the_o tower_n in_o siloam_n fall_v luke_n 13._o 4._o sometime_o it_o be_v only_o improper_o casual_a as_o when_o one_o of_o two_o equal_o expose_v to_o danger_n be_v only_o kill_v and_o sometime_o it_o be_v only_o and_o proper_o violent_a such_o be_v saul_n death_n such_o be_v achitophel_n and_o haman_n the_o way_n to_o this_o discourse_n in_o hand_n be_v thus_o far_o clear_v i_o shall_v now_o prosecute_v the_o design_n of_o it_o in_o this_o method_n 1._o i_o shall_v set_v down_o those_o erroneous_a opinion_n into_o which_o some_o man_n have_v unhappy_o fall_v in_o their_o enquiry_n for_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o present_a case_n 2._o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o the_o two_o common_a opinion_n that_o offer_v fair_a for_o solve_v this_o doubt_n 3._o i_o shall_v attempt_v a_o full_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n and_o last_o i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o whole_a discourse_n i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o those_o erroneous_a sentiment_n some_o man_n have_v unhappy_o embrace_v in_o their_o inquiry_n for_o satisfaction_n