N00524:83
The day, & the work of the day. A brief discourse, on what fears…
The day, & the work of the day. A brief discourse, on what fears we may have at this time to quicken us; what hopes there are at this time to comfort us: and what prayers would be likely to turn our prayers into hopes. With reflections upon time and state, now come upon the Church of God, and collections of certain prophecies relating to the present circumstances of New-England. Uttered on a fast, kept in Boston, July 6th. 1693. / By Cotton Mather.
Boston: printed by B. Harris, 1693
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Fourthly. Let not Fear be •ast off: Are we not Afraid, Lest we come our selves to See. The mischiefs which our Ancient Seers have often foretold unto us. Every Wise man, is a Prophet: We have had such Wise men, on many Opportunities, especially some Anniversary Ones, here Prophesying, I assure you, No Smooth things unto us: in all which, it has not been a ⟨p. 60⟩rash Enthusiasm, it has been Scripture, it has been Reason, that has Inspired them. They have done according to their Commission, in Isa. 58 1. Lift up thy voice like a Trumpet. And what has been the Voice of the Trumpet? Not Uncertain, but Universally concurring in this thing. Reformation, or Desolation! Reformation, or Desolation! and, I pray, where do we find much of the demanded Reformation? Besides this, our Old Men, without any vain Dreams, have made their moral Prognostications upon our manners. We have had an Hooker, long since Prophesying unto us, That God would punish the Wanton Spirit of the Professors in this Country, with a sad want of Able men, in all Orders among them. We have had a Shepard, long since Prophesying unto us, That such a Dismal Night was towards us, and […] Afflictions, as would fill our Heart with […] Anguish equal to the worst, […] Days. We have had a Norton, Sighing over us, What is the […] of the Lord concerning the Churches of New England, is a matter of […] and awful Meditation. And some other persons, not inferior, have not stock to say, We fear the Gospel will go, ⟨p. 61⟩the Lord Jesus will depart from […], within […] little while. Let thy Heart […], O New-England, Lest th•• Day of thy Watchman come upon thee▪
Fourthly. Let not Fear be •ast off: Are we not Afraid, Lest we come our selves to See. The mischiefs which our Ancient Seers have often foretold unto us. Every Wise man, is a Prophet: We have had such Wise men, on many Opportunities, especially some Anniversary Ones, here Prophesying, I assure you, No Smooth things unto us: in all which, it has not been a ⟨p. 60⟩