N00255:67
A sermon wherein is showed that the church of God is sometimes a subject…A sermon wherein is shewed that the church of God is sometimes a subject…
A sermon wherein is showed that the church of God is sometimes a subject of great persecution; preached on a public fast at Boston in New-England: occasioned by the tidings of a great persecution raised against the Protestants in France. / By Increase Mather, teacher to a church of Christ. ; [Eight lines of quotations]A sermon wherein is shewed that the church of God is sometimes a subject of great persecution; preached on a publick fast at Boston in New-England: occasioned by the tidings of a great persecution raised against the Protestants in France. / By Increase Mather, teacher to a church of Christ. ; [Eight lines of quotations]
printed for Samuel Sewall, 1682
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.
It is therefore Time for us to think of, and prepare for sufferings. Our predecessors, the Ancient Britons, living in a remote corner of the world, felt little or nothing of those general persecutions, which other Christians bled under. Nevertheless, the last of the primitive persecutions, fell heavily upon them. And whether the last of Antichrist's Persecutions, will not reach both Englands, the Lord God knoweth. It will be wisdom for us all to prepare for it. In England's peace, we shall have peace. That there are special Designs against the Protestant Interest there, we are all assured. Neither are we ignorant how awfully God has threatened us with Changes among our selves; as if He would pluck up our Hedge: and then the wild Boar would soon break in upon this Vine. If the Lord should be provoked to bring a Change upon us as to our Civil State: If that wall of Government, which hath hitherto been such a mercy to this people, should be removed; there are three Evils, that would quickly follow; viz. Superstition, Profaneness, and Persecution. If the reins of Government should fall into Hands that are enemies to the ways of Christ; we can in reason expect no better.
It is therefore Time for us to think of, and prepare for sufferings. Our predecessors, the Auntient Britans, living in a remote corner of the world, felt little or nothing of those general persecutions, which other Christians bled under. Nevertheless, the last of the primitive persecutions, fell heavily upon them. And whether the last of Antichrist's Persecutions, will not reach both Englands, the Lord God knoweth. It will be wifedome for us all to prepare for it. In England's peace, we shall have peace. That there are special Designs against the Protestant Interest there, we are all assured. Neither are we ignorant how awfully God has threatened us with Changes among our selves; as if He would pluck up our Hedge: and then the wild Boar would soon break in upon this Vine. If the Lord should be provoked to bring a Change upon us as to our Civil State: If that wall of Government, which hath hitherto been such a mercy to this people, should be removed; there are three Evils, that would quickly follow; viz. Superstition, Prophaneness, and Persecution. If the raines of Government should fall into Hands that are enemies to the wayes of Christ; we can in reason expect no better.