N00151:37
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.
Reas. 2. From the absolute Dominion which the Lord hath over us. We may reason from the Sovereignty of the most high. And this followeth from the former: Inasmuch as God hath made us, therefore he hath an absolute dominion over us Rom. 9.22. Hath not the Potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel to honour and another to dishonour. The Potter hath a kind of absolute power over the Clay, for he may dispose of it thus or so, as shall seem good unto him. We are before God as the Clay is before the Potter, wherefore the Scripture speaketh much concerning that absolute Dominion which the Lord hath over his Creatures, Deut. 32.39. See now that I even I am he and there is no God with me, I kill and I make alive, I wound and I heal neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. At the same time some are wounded and not others, some are killed by the same blow and others are kept alive; amongst wounded ones some are healed and others shall not recover, why? It is the Lord that doth these, things and hath power so to do. Wherefore Elihu said to Job, Chap. 33.12. ⟨p. 10⟩I will answer thee that God is greater than man, why dost thou strive against him for he giveth no account of any of his matters, that is to say he is not bound to give any account of any of his matters, though sometimes he condescends unto it, yet that is more then he is obliged unto, saith Elihu. God may take from thee thy estate, and thy Relations, all by one sudden awful blow of his hand, and yet never tell thee why he doth so. Such is the absolute Sovereignty and high Supremacy which the glorious and eternal God hath over his Creatures. So that well did Nebuchadnezzar make confession saying, all the Inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing and he doth according to his will in the Army of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, and there is none can stay his hand, or say unto him what dost thou, Dan. 4.35. No man hath an absolute Dominion over others so as that his Will shall be his Rule, but God most high hath such a Dominion, so as that it is impossible that he should do any wrong unto his Creatures, however he dispose of them or of their Times.
Reas. 2. From the absolute Dominion which the Lord hath over us. Wee may reason from the Soveraignty of the most high. And this followeth from the former: Inasmuch as God hath made us, therefore he hath an absolute dominion over us