N00151:51
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.
3. This Reproveth those that do provoke the Lord to cut off their time. The Sins of men provoke God to shorten their time and days in this world. Alas! it is not long since I did upon a very sad occasion insist upon those words, Eccles. 7.17. Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish▪ for why shouldest thou dye before thy time? Great sins bring untimely death, Drunkenness, Swearing, Sabbath-breaking, Atheism, Neglect of Prayer, and the like evils bring untimely death upon those that are so guilty, especially if they have had many offers of grace, Psal. 81.13, 15. O that my People had hearkened to me— their time should have endured. But when men ⟨p. 15⟩will not hearken to God, he will not suffer their time to endure long. There was an awful Providence amongst us above a year ago, which you may remember occasioned the preaching of several Sermons from that Scripture, Prov. 29.1. He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy.
3. This Reproveth those that doe provoke the Lord to cut off their time. The Sins of men provoke God to shorten their time and dayes in this world. Alas! it is not long since I did upon a very sad occasion insist upon those words, Eccles. 7.17. Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish▪ for why shouldest thou dye before thy time? Great sins bring untimely death, Drunkeness, Swearing, Sabbath-breaking, Atheisme, Neglect of Prayer, and the like evills bring untimely death upon those that are so guilty, especially if they have had many offers of grace, Psal. 81.13, 15. O that my People had hearkened to me— their time should have endured. But when men ⟨p. 15⟩