N00619:41
Things for a distressed people to think upon. Offered in the sermon to the…Things for a distress'd people to think upon. Offered in the sermon to the…
Things for a distressed people to think upon. Offered in the sermon to the General Assembly of the province, of the Massachusetts Bay, at the anniversary election. May, 27. 1696. Wherein, I. the condition of the future, as well as the former times, in which we are concerned, is considered. II. A narrative of the late wonderful deliverance, of the King, and the three kingdoms, & all the English dominions, is endeavoured. III. A relation, of no less than seven miracles, within this little while wrought by the Almighty Lord Jesus Christ, for the confirmation of our hopes, that some glorious works, for the welfare of his church, are quickly to be done, is annexed. / By Cotton Mather.Things for a distress'd people to think upon. Offered in the sermon to the General Assembly of the province, of the Massachusetts Bay, at the anniversary election. May, 27. 1696. Wherein, I. the condition of the future, as well as the former times, in which we are concerned, is considered. II. A narrative of the late wonderful deliverance, of the King, and the three kingdoms, & all the English dominions, is endeavoured. III. A relation, of no less than seven miracles, within this little while wrought by the Almighty Lord Jesus Christ, for the confirmation of our hopes, that some glorious works, for the welfare of his church, are quickly to be done, is annexed. / By Cotton Mather.
printed by B. Green for Duncan Campbel, 1696
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.
It is with a Threefold Advertisement that I would urge this Desire of my Soul.
It is with a Threefold Advertisment that I would urge this Desire of my Soul.
First; All the Blessings, that we can want, or wish; yea, the very Best of Blessings, are to be obtained by Supplication to the Blessed God for them. Why should I launch forth into the vast Ocean of Assurances and Experiences, which our God has given unto His People, That they shall not seek his Face in vain? All New•England, has been filled with Demonstrations from its first Settlement unto this Day, That Prayer is as it has been sometimes called, A Golden Key to Unlock all the Treasures of Heaven. Many, and many, and many a time, it might be said, This poor Land cried unto the Lord, and the Lord has heard and saved. And what is the use that we should make of all the Salvations, wherein we have so wonderfully seen, The prevalency of Prayer demonstrated? What but this, That we will with our Prayer, again & always come unto ⟨p. 30⟩Thee, O Thou Hearer of Prayer! We would have a Supply of Provision from the Bounties of Heaven sent unto us in our Scarcity. Why, Supplications, like those of Elijah, will manage the very Corks on the Bottles of Heaven We would have the Lions that are threatening to Devour us, Restrained from doing so. Why, Supplications, like those of Daniel, will muzzle the most Ravenous Lions. All our Undertakings, would they not prosper the more, if by more Prayer over them, like the Servant of Abraham, we acknowledged the Lord in all our ways? Would any of our Churches, have Pastors after the Lords own Heart bestowed upon them? I pray, mark what I say; I wonder exceedingly, How any Church dare proceed so far as to vote, and call a Minister, for their fixed Service, until they have by a Day of Prayer, first made their Supplications unto the Lord Jesus Christ, for His Direction: The jealous Lord Jesus Christ, may justly show them, that they make more Haste than good speed, when the chief Shepherd, is thus forgotten with them. Whereas, if you will go to the Lord Jesus Christ, O ye Flocks of the Lord; He will give you those Pastors, that shall be Good men, and Full of the Holy Ghost, & men, by whom there shall be much people added unto the Lord: Men, in whom you shall be, on a thousand accounts unspeakably Happy, as long as they live among you.