N00151:68
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.
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.
4. Let us labour to understand the Lords mind and meaning in this awfull Providence. Certainly the Lord speaketh something by it, yea some great thing, and therefore wee have cause to blame our own fulness 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 cryeth to the city, the man of wisdome 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 cryeth to the city. Truly this awfull Providence which I am speaking of is the Lords voice; it cryeth to the City, it cryeth to the Town. This Solemn voice of the Lord cryeth to Boston. If wee be men of wisdome we shall see his Name, yea we shall sanctifie his Name.
5. Let us Repent of past and present Iniquities. Doth God bring such awful Providences upon us that so we might Censure the dead? No, but to be Instructions and warnings to the living, that so they may be awakened to unfeigned Repentance for all their sins wherefore Christ hath said, Those eighteen upon whom the Tower of Siloam fell and slew them, think ye that th were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem, I tell you nay, but except you repent you all shall likewise perish,