N00151:33
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.
And particularly there is an holy and eternal Decree respecting the times of men Job. 7.1. Is there not an appointed time to man upon the earth? Acts. 17.26. God hath determined the times before appointed.
2. Another demonstration of the truth before is this, There is a Providence in every thing that cometh to pass. God doth execute his decree by his works of Creation and Providence. Gods Providence is that whereby he doth dispose of (not only some things but) all things as shall be for his own glory. Those things which as to men are most fortuitous accidental and casual, in respect of God are purposely and providentially ordered; for example, Casual Homicide, when a man kills another accidentally against his will, the holy blessed God ordered that matter on purpose, upon holy grounds and for holy ends. See a clear Scripture for this Exod. 21.12. He that smiteth a man so that he dye shall surely be put to death. But if a man lye not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand, then will I appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. So that if a man happen to kill another against his will, God delivers the man that is slain into the hands of him that smote him, which evidently showeth that there is a providence of God in all such Casualties. So in Lottery as to men the thing is doubtful and fortuitous, which way the Lot shall fall, but God hath beforehand contrived, and will by an effectual Providence order accordingly how the thing shall be Prov. 16.33. The Lot is cast into the lap (so was the Custom in Solomons days) but the whole disposing there of is of the Lord. There is not the least matter cometh to pass in the world without the Providence of God Mat. 10.29▪ Are not two Sparrows sold for a farthing, and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. The meaning is, that there is an hand of Providence in all events, yea in the smallest matters that happen in the world. Sure then there is not any great and solemn and awful event happening at any time in any place but the hand of