N00151:22
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.
2. There is the hand of divine Providence, Job. 2.10. Shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil. The Providence of God doth dispense afflictions as well as mercies to his people, therefore are they said to receive evil as well as good at the hand of God. So Chap. 19.21. Have pity upon me O ye my friends, for the hand of God hath touched me, that is to say, the Providence of God is gone forth against me. 1. Pet. 5.6. Humble your selves under the mighty hand of God, i- e. under the afflicting dispensations of his divine Providence, & Solomon saith that the righteous & the wise and their works are in the hand of God Eccle. 9.1.
2. There is the hand of divine Providence, Job. 2.10. Shall wee receive good at the hand of God and shall wee not receive evill. The Providence of God doth dispence afflictions as well as mercyes to his people, therefore are they said to receive evill as well as good at the hand of God. So Chap. 19.21. Have pitty upon me O ye my friends, for the hand of God hath touched me, that is to say, the Providence of God is gone forth against me. 1. Pet. 5.6. Humble your selves under the mighty hand of God, i- e. under the afflicting dispensations of his divine Providence, & Solomon saith that the righteous & the wise and their works are in the hand of God Eccle. 9.1.
Because both the Persons and the works of the best and most prudent men are guided by a divine Providence. When God hath bestowed gifts and graces upon any man, qualifying him for Service, he doth by a secret providence order what work he shall do, wherefore the divine Providence is intended by that Hand, which the text speaketh of. David doth here encourage himself from the Consideration of the All-disposing Providence of God. We come to a second enquiry viz. What is meant by the Times of men which are said to be in the hand of God?