N00151:20
The times of men are in the hand of God. Or A sermon occasioned…
The times of men are in the hand of God. Or A sermon occasioned by that awful providence which happened in Boston in New-England, the 4th day of the 3d month 1675. (when part of a vessel was blown up in the harbour, and nine men hurt, and three mortally wounded) wherein is showed how we should sanctify the dreadful name of God under such awful dispensations. / By Increase Mather, teacher to a Church of Christ. ; [Nine lines of Scripture texts]The times of men are in the hand of God. Or A sermon occasioned by that awfull providence which hapned in Boston in New-England, the 4th day of the 3d moneth 1675. (when part of a vessel was blown up in the harbour, and nine men hurt, and three mortally wounded) wherein is shewed how we should sanctifie the dreadfull name of God under such awfull dispensations. / By Increase Mather, teacher to a Church of Christ. ; [Nine lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by John Foster, 1675
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.
Quest. 1, What is here meant by the hand of God?
Answ. 1. There is the hand of Divine power. Strength is manifested by the hand: we say of a strong man that he is a man of his hands, so the Lords strength and power it is denoted by his hand. It is said concerning Elijah that the hand of the Lord was upon him and he ran before Ahab 1. Kings. 18.4. that is the power of God was upon him, enabling of him so to run. And Ezekiel saith the hand of the Lord was upon me Chap. 37.1. that is a mighty power of Prophecy.1 Thus Psal. 74.11. Why withdrawest thou thy hand pluck it out of thy bosom, that is to say exert and put forth thy almighty power. Isai. 59.1. The Lords hand is not shortened that it cannot save. God hath as much power as ever he had, he is as able to save his people now as ever he was, therefore is it said that his hand is not shortened. Wherefore when it is said that the times of men are in the hand of God, The meaning is that he hath power to dispose of their times, ⟨p. 3⟩men have not power to dispose of their own times, nor have others that power but the Lord alone.
Answ. 1. There is the hand of Divine power. Strength is manifested by the hand: we say of a strong man that he is a man of his hands, so the Lords strength and power it is denoted by his hand. It is said concerning Elijah that the hand of the Lord was upon him and he ran before Ahab 1. Kings. 18.4. that is the power of God was upon him, enabling of him so to run. And Ezekiel saith the hand of the Lord was upon me Chap. 37.1. that is a mighty power of Prophecy.1