N00151:45
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.
1. If their Times are in Gods hand, then all their other concernments whatsoever are in his hand. This followeth by parity of reason. Your lives are in Gods hand, he is the God of my life said David. Our health is in his hand, He is the health of my countenance. Our Estates are in his hand, who is able to keep them, and whose blessing alone maketh rich. Our Relations are in his hand, some of you have Relations absent from you afar off upon the Sea, or in Countries remote, remember they are in the hand of God wheresoever they may be. Others of you have near Relations, Children perhaps sick and in danger of death remember ahat they also are in Gods hand.
1. If their Times are in Gods hand, then all their other concernments whatsoever are in his hand. This followeth by parity of reason. Your lives are in Gods hand, he is the God of my life said David. Our health is in his hand, Hee is the health of my countenance. Our Estates are in his hand, who is able to keep them, and whose blessing alone maketh rich. Our Relations are in his hand, some of you have Relations absent from you afar off upon the Sea, or in Countreys remote, remember they are in the hand of God wheresoever they may be. Others of you have near Relations, Children pehaps sick and in danger of death remember ahat they also are in Gods hand.
2. Hence they are in the best hand that possibly can be. You can not wish your times or concernments in a better hand, they are in a wise hand, he is the only wise God. They are in a Faithful hand. It was Dr Prestons expression, that if the case were so with him that he might speak but three words before he went out of the world, these should be the words, GOD IS FAITHFUL. And in an able, yea in an All sufficient hand, John. 10.29. My Father is greater then all, no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand. This is a great comfort to them that have faith to improve it. If a man be sick is it not a comfort to him to be in the hand of a skilful, faithful, compassionate, Physician, So it is here.