N00296:84
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
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.
The History of this Providence might have been mentioned amongst Sea-Deliverances, yet considering it was not only so, I shall here Record what himself (being a godly man) did relate of the Lords marvellous dispensations towards him, that so others might be encouraged to put their trust in God, in the times of their greatest straits and difficulties.
The History of this Providence might have been mentioned amongst Sea-Deliverances, yet considering it was not only so, I shall here Record what himself (being a godly man) did relate of the Lords marvelous dispensations towards him, that so others might be incouraged to put their trust in God, in the times of their greatest straits and difficulties.
On the 25. of August, in the year 1676. the said Skipper How with his two eldest Sons set sail from New-Haven for Boston in a small ⟨p. 59⟩Ketch, Burden 17 Tun or thereabout: After the Dispatch of their Business there, they set Sail from thence for New-Haven again, on the 10th of September following: but contrary Winds forced them back to Boston, where the said How was taken ill with a violent flux, which Distemper continued near a Month, many being at that time sick of the same Disease, which proved mortal to some. The merciful Providence of God having spared his life, and restored him to some measure of health; he again set Sail from Boston, October 10. By a fair Wind they went forward so as to make Cape Cod; but suddenly the Weather became very Tempestuous, so as that they could not seize the Cape, but were forced off to Sea; where they were endangered in a small Vessel by very fearful Storms and outrageous Winds and Seas. Also, his Eldest Son fell sick and died in about eleven days after they set out to Sea. He was no sooner dead, but his other Son fell sick and died too. This was a bitter Cup to the good Father. It is noted in I Chron.7.22. that when the Sons of Ephraim were dead, Ephraim their Father mourned many days, and his Brethren came to comfort him. This Ephraim when his Sons were Dead his Friends on Shore knew it not, nor could they come to comfort him.