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An essay for the recording of illustrious providences
An essay for the recording of illustrious providences: wherein, an account is given of many remarkable and very memorable events, which have happened in this last age; especially in New-England. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in New-England. ; [Six lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by Samuel Green, 1684
Preface › Some PROPOSALS concerning the RECORDING of Illustrious PROVIDENCES.
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.
II. Such Divine Judgements, Tempests, Floods, Earth-quakes, Thunders as are unusual, strange Apparitions or what ever else shall happen that is Prodigious, Witchcrafts, Diabolical Possessions, Remarkable Judgements upon noted Sinners: eminent Deliverances and Answers of Prayer, are to be reckoned among Illustrious Providences.
III. Inasmuch as we find in Scripture, as well as in Ecclesiastical History, that the Ministers of God have been improved in the Recording and Declaring the works of the Lord; and since they are in divers respects under peculiar Advantages thereunto: It is proposed, that each one in that capacity may diligently enquire into, and Record: such Illustrious Providences as have happened, or from time to time shall happen in the places whereunto they do belong: and that the Witnesses of such notable Occur rents ⟨image ?⟩be likewise set down in Writing.
III. Inasmuch as we find in Scripture, as well as in Ecclesiastical History, that the Ministers of God have been improved in the Recording and Declaring the works of the Lord; and since they are in divers respects under peculiar Advantages thereunto: It is proposed, that each one in that capacity may diligently enquire into, and Record: such Illustrious Providences as have hapned, or from time to time shall happen in the places whereunto they do belong: and that the Witnesses of such notable Occu• rents ⟨image ?⟩be likewise set down in Writing.
IV. Although it be true, that this Design cannot be brought unto Perfection in one or two years, yet it is much to be desired that something may be done therein out of hand, as a Specimen of a more large Volume, that so this work may be set on foot, and Posterity may be encouraged to go on therewith.