N00427:52
The present state of New-England. Considered in a discourse on the necessities and advantages…
The present state of New-England. Considered in a discourse on the necessities and advantages of a public spirit in every man; especially, at such a time as this. Made at the lecture in Boston 20.d. 1.m. 1690. Upon the news of an invasion by bloody Indians and French-men, begun upon us. / By Cotton Mather. ; [Two line epigram in Latin]
Boston: printed by Samuel Green, 1690
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.
Hence, a private Spirit, especially at a Time of much Distress and Danger with the People of God, is an •vil much to be Rebuked. For us to see the People of God gasping, bleeding, dying under Difficulties, and yet, At this Time altogether to hold our peace! O 'tis a most unaccountable Baseness; and the mouth of our God hath stigmatized it with the characters of most horrible Wees; as in Amos 6.6. Woe to them, that are not grieved for the Aff••• ction of Joseph! I lay down these two Assertions.
Hence, a private Spirit, especially at a Time of much Distress and Danger with the People of God, is an •vil much to be Rebuked. For us to see the Peopl• of God gasping, bleeding, dying under Difficulties, and yet, At this Time altogether to hold our peace! O 'tis a most unaccountable Baseness; and the mouth of our God hath stigmatized it with the characters of most horrible Wees; as in Amos 6.6. Wo to them, that are not grieved for the Aff••• ction of Ioseph! I lay down these two Assertions.
First, At All Times we should Employ our All for the People of God It should be our Ambition, to be as the Blessed Bradford was, Always doing of Good with Tongues, or Pen, or Purse, or some other way. Most amiable was the Meditation, which David was treating himself withal, in 2 Sam. 7▪2. He sits down ⟨p. 21⟩[…] his Hou•e, and thinks▪ What shall I do fr the House of my God? That Enquiry, What Service may I do for the Church of God? should often be Rolled in our Minds; and it will be so, if we do not too much countenance a Spiritual Barrenness in our Lives. The Church of God, is well worth our Serving; next unto the Man Christ Jesus, it is the Noblest Creature that ever was formed by the powerful and Curious Had of the Great God that formed all things. There is not an Angel in Heaven, but what would galy wait upon the smallest and poorest Member in the Church-Mystical; even so, the Little Ones have their Angels. Yea, our Mighty Saviour Himself, counted the very Blood of God, and Life of God a fit Ransom for the Salvation of of the Church; and shall not we then reckon the Church and People of God a fit subject fo the best of our sorry Services? But I pass on to say,