N00151:60
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.
Consider 2. That there are no persons in all the world unto whom God speaketh by this Providence as he doth to us. Indeed the Lord speaketh thereby unto others, yea unto all that shall hear of it. He speaketh to New-England, and more particularly this is a speaking Providence to Boston, but most of all to us of this Congregation, in that they whom the Lord hath slain were of us. This thing hath been done in our hearing and before our eyes, our eyes have beheld the Slaughter which the Lord hath made, yea and by their Deaths he hath wounded us. Come let us return to the Lord, for he hath torn us, he hath smitten us.
Consider 2. That there are no persons in all the world unto whom God speaketh by this Providence as he doth to us. Indeed the Lord speaketh thereby unto others, yea unto all that shall hear of it. Hee speaketh to New-England, and more particularly this is a speaking Providence to Boston, but most of all to us of this Congregation, in that they whom the Lord hath slain were of us. This thing hath been done in our hearing and before our eyes, our eyes have beheld the Slaughter which the Lord hath made, yea and by their Deaths he hath wounded us. Come let us return to the Lord, for he hath torn us, he hath smitten us.
Consider, 3. That this is not the first warning which the Lord hath given us. How many sudden deaths have there been? Not to mention things of an elder date, which in the day of them I have not been altogether wanting to mind you of. This last year we have thus been warned, not once nor twice. This Spring several amongst us have been snatched away by sudden strokes of the Lords hand. And it is not a year ago (hardly three quarters of a year) since there was such another awful Blow ⟨p. 17⟩as that which I am now speaking of, when that Shop was blown up with a Barrel of Powder, and one man was killed, and (as I remember) seven or eight wounded. Now it is to be feared that we were not affected and awakened with that Stroke as should have been, and therefore the Lord is put upon it to bring another more awful then the former.