N00619:66
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.
and these would surely Do well, to have Copies of their Oaths, well Explained unto them, often before their Eyes. Our Honourable Counsellors are under the Oath of God▪ That they will to the best of their Judgment at all Times freely give their Advice. Our Worshipful Justices are under the Oath of God, That they will Dispense Justice equally and impartially in all cases, and for no cause forbear truly to do their Office. Our Grand Jury-men are Sworn by the Ever living God, That they will diligently Enquire, and true Presentment make, of all things given them in Charge; and present no man for Envy, Hatred, or Malice, nor leave any man unpresented, for Love, Fear, Favour and Affection, or Hope of Reward. Our Constables are Sworn by the Ever-living God, That in all that the Law has made part of their Office, they will deal ⟨p. 62⟩[…] and faithfully, whilst they are in Office, •••hout any sinister Respects of Favour or Displea•••e. And are not our Tithing-men, under an Oath of the like Importance: Yea, I suppose, there is hardly a Clerk of a Company, but he is under the Bonds of a Dreadful Oath, to Discharge his Duty faithfully. Now, This one thing would exceedingly contribute unto the Reformation of the Land▪ That men often Read and Think, what they are Sworn to Do: For this would put the Good men, upon more usual Thoughts in themselves, What Good they may do in their several Places for other men? It is mentioned, as a Commendable property, in a Citizen of Zion, Psal. 15.4. He sweareth to his own Hurt, and Changeth not. It may be rendered, He Sweareth to an Ill man, and Changeth not. If he have made a Lawful Promise, though it be to a Wicked man, a Pagan, an Enemy, he will not reckon that the Wicked unworthiness of the man, will Release him from his Promise. But, Sirs, You that are Sworn to a Good God, and Sworn to a Good King, & Sworn to a Good Work, & Sworn, for the Service of a Good People; how much ought you to Study, that you may be the Genuine Citizens of Zion, for your Fidelity! The Land will mourn, because of Swearing, if men ordinarily, Lift up their Hands to the Eternal God, in Oaths to Deal faithfully and honestly, but Swear indeed Hand over Head, without any ⟨p. 63⟩