N00151:67
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. Let us adore the hand of God. We read concerning Job, that when the Lord brought those sudden changes upon him, by the Death of near Relations, and the loss of his estate, He fell ⟨p. 19⟩down upon the ground and worshipped. Job. 1.20. We should turn such things into Prayer and humble adoration before the Lord. Adore his greatness, his sovereignty, his power, his wisdom, his righteousness, who may at his pleasure punish us or ours, and it is not for us to say unto him what dost thou?
3. Let us adore the hand of God. Wee read concerning Job, that when the Lord brought those sudden changes upon him, by the Death of near Relations, and the loss of his estate, He fell ⟨p. 19⟩down upon the ground and worshipped. Job. 1.20. Wee should turn such things into Prayer and humble adoration before the Lord. Adore his greatness, his soveraignty, his power, his wisdome, his righteousness, who may at his pleasure punish us or ours, and it is not for us to say unto him what dost thou?
4. Let us labour to understand the Lords mind and meaning in this awful Providence. Certainly the Lord speaketh something by it, yea some great thing, and therefore we have cause to blame our own fullness of understanding if we know not what it is that the Lord would have us to hear and to learn; were we wise as we should be, it would be otherwise with us. Mic. 6.9. The Lords voice crieth to the city, the man of wisdom shall se• thy name, hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it. O let us not be like beasts that only feel the rod, but hear it not. The Lords voice crieth to the city. Truly this awful Providence which I am speaking of is the Lords voice; it crieth to the City, it crieth to the Town. This Solemn voice of the Lord crieth to Boston. If we be men of wisdom we shall see his Name, yea we shall sanctify his Name.