N00151:29
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.
6. The time for Repentance is in the hand of God. Hence not only Repentance i• se••, but the time for it is said to be his Gift, as I have lately and largely endeavoured to show you in my course on the second Chapter of the Revelation you have, heard how the Lord there spake unto Jezebel I gave her space to repent Every mans day of grace (that hath such a day) is in Gods hand. Hence it is that some have a far longer day of grace continued to them then others have, some their day of grace is at an end whilst in youth, others their day continueth until their middle age, some to old age. Is this from themselves? No, but from the Lord. You have often heard that life time in this world is a time for Repentance, while a sinner is alive, it is possible that if he seek the Lord he may find him. He may possibly obtain the pardon of his sins, and the salvation of his soul, by Faith in Jesus Christ, but when once his Soul is out of his body, when once he is dead (dying in his sins) it is impossible, God that cannot lye having declared that it shall then never be. Now the lives of men are in the hands of God, therefore Daniel said unto that king, Chap. 5. v. 23. the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways hast thou not glorified. The time of prosperity is a day of grace, when a man doth enjoy Health, Ease, Strength &c. it is the fittest Season in the world to repent, and make his peace with God in. Now this time you heard but now is in the Lords hand. While the blessed Spirit of God continueth striving with the Soul, that's a day of grace indeed. When you are convinced, awakened, affected in any measure by the word or works of God, then is an happy time to repent in. Now that Season is surely in the Lords hand; for who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or who hath been his Counsellor? wherefore the Apostle saith Phil. 2.13, 14. Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his own good pleasure. As if it were said, Tremble to miss Gods Season, you know not how soon God may cease working in your hearts by his Spirit. The time of the Lords working upon the hearts of men, is as he shall ⟨p. 7⟩please. Thus have we seen what times are in the Lords hand.