N00619:62
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.
But above all, O ye Watchmen in our Churches; 'Tis from You, that the Lord Jesus Christ expects the most critical watchfulness, in Advising your several Churches and Charges, of the several Evils, that are to be Reformed among them. That which you have lately been doing towards Gospelizing those Out-lying parts of the Country, has been very worthily done: And, I do humbly pray the Recompensing Benediction of Heaven, upon those Worthy Merchants and others in this place, who by their pious Expenses have assisted the Undertaking. I wish those parts of the Country might now be effectually put in mind, of the concernment that lies upon them to make a due Improvement of the Price put into their Hand. If any that belong, or travel to those parts, are now in this Assembly, I pray, carry them this Advice, That if they slight the Gospel now sent unto them, there is Danger, the Lord Jesus Christ will never grant them another Offer of it; no, ⟨p. 56⟩there is Danger that they will never be Healed, but be given to Salt for ever: there is Danger, that a Wrath unto the uttermost will overtake them. And now, there are further Instances of our Watchfulness, over our own Flocks, to be maintained. It may be, 'twould be one very significant piece of our Watchfulness, over the Churches, if some safe methods might be taken, that all those who go forth unto the Work of the Ministry, might carry with them some Testimonial of their Qualifications, from fit Judges of those Qualifications; and that Raw, Rude, Lewd Young Men, and profane Sons of Eli, may not go forth, to make a Living of their Preaching, and Ruin Christianity among us, by not Living according to their Preaching. Yea, I do earnestly Beseech the Congregations of New England, That, if they have any Regard unto the Things of their Peace, they would none of them, Invite, or Accept, any man, to constant Preaching among them, unless that some Holy, and Faithful, and Able Pastors of other Churches, do, upon a thorough Trial, Testify, That such a man is Worthy to Labour, and be very Highly Esteemed for his Labour, among them. Nor is this All that we have to do. Can we not, in Visiting our Flocks, inform our selves about the Morals of our People, in every Quarter, and thereupon both Publicly and Privately set our selves to cure all that shall ⟨p. 57⟩be found amiss!
But above all, O ye Watchmen in our Churches; 'Tis from You, that the Lord Jesus Christ expects the most critical watchfulness, in Advising your several Churches and Charges, of the several Evils, that are to be Reformed among them. That which you have lately been doing towards Gospellizing those Out-lying parts of the Countrey, has been very worthily done: And, I do humbly pray the Recompencing Benediction of Heaven, upon those Worthy Merchants and others in this place, who by their pious Expences have assisted the Undertaking. I wish those parts of the Countrey might now be effectually put in mind, of the concernment that lies upon them to make a due Improvement of the Price put into their Hand. If any that belong, or travel to those parts, are now in this Assembly, I pray, carry them this Advice, That if they slight the Gospel now sent unto them, there is Danger, the Lord Jesus Christ will never grant them another Offer of it; no,