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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.
In this ESSAY, I design no more than a Specimen; And having (by the good hand of God, upon me) set this Wheel a going, I shall leave it unto others, whom God has fitted, and shall incline thereto, to go on with the undertaking.
In this ESSAY, I design no more than a Specimen; And having (by the good hand of God, upon me) set this Wheel a going, I shall leave it unto oothers, whom God has fitted, and shall incline thereto, to go on with the undertaking.
Some Digressions I have made in distinct Chapters, handling several considerable Cases of Conscience, supposing it not unprofitable, or improper so to do; since the things related gave the occasion: both Leisure and Exercise of Judgement are required in the due performance of a Service of this Nature: There are some that have more leisure, and many that have greater Abilities than I have: I expect not that they should make my Method their Standard; but they may follow a better of their own, as they shall see cause. The Addition of Parallel Stories is both pleasing and edifying: Had my reading and remembrance of things been greater, I might have done more that way, as I ⟨image ?⟩hope others will in the next Essay.
I could have mentioned some very memorable Passages of Divine Providence, wherein the Country in general hath been concerned. Some Remarkables of that kind are to be seen in my former Relations of the Troubles occasioned by the Indians in New-England. There are other particulars no less worthy to be Recorded, but in my judgement, this is not so proper a season for us to divulge them. It has been in my thoughts to publish a Discourse of Miscellaneous observations, concerning things rare and wonderful; both as to the works of Creation and Providence; which in my small Readings I have met with in many Authors: But this must suffice for the present. I have often wished, that the Natural History of New-England, might be written and published to the World; the Rules and method described by that Learned and excellent person Robert Boyle Esq. being duly observed therein. It would best become some Scholar that has been born