N00151:48
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.
Use 3. Let it be of sad and solemn Reproof, there are several sorts of men that fall under Conviction and just Reprehension here.
Vse 3. Let it be of sad and solemn Reproof, there are several sorts of men that fall under Conviction and just Reprehension here.
1. This condemns those that will be curiously enquiring into those times that God keeps in his own hands alone. The Disciples themselves were once blameworthy in this respect, Acts. 1.6, 7. They said to Christ wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel? The Lord gave them a short return saying, it is not for you to know the Times or the Seasons which the Father hath put in his own power. Indeed there are some Times which we ought to be enquiring into. The holy Prophets did enquire and search diligently into the time of Christs coming into the world, 1 Pet. 1.11. The men of Issachar were commended for their Understanding in the times. The Pharisees are reproved because they could not discern the signs of the times. Such Times as God hath revealed we should modestly enquire into. He hath told us how long the Reign of Anti-Christ shall continue, and therefore it is both lawful and a duty, with Humility to be enquiring into that time. But there are some that will be enquiring into times that are kept secret, e. g. Some will be determining the year when the day of Judgment shall begin,1 But (although I deny not but that the age wherein that day shall begin may be conjectured at) Christ hath said of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the Angels which are in Heaven, neither the Son but the Father, Mark. 13.32. Others will be enquiring into the time when such a man shall dye &c. Some that Calculate Nativities, Judicial Astrologers, Fortune-tellers, are deeply guilty in this respect. The accursed and lying Vanities and Witchcrafts of such persons are fearful transgressions in the sight of God. Certainly every man may say as Isaac did,