N00732:20
The surest way to the greatest honour
The surest way to the greatest honour: discoursed in a sermon, delivered in the audience of His Excellency the Earl of Bellomont, captain general and governor in chief, and the Council, and representatives of the General Assembly of the province of the Massachusetts-Bay, convened at Boston in New-England, May 31st. 1699. Being the day for the election of counsellors in that province. / By Increase Mather.The surest way to the greatest honour: discoursed in a sermon, delivered in the audience of His Excellency the Earl of Bellomont, captain general and governour in chief, and the Council, and representatives of the General Assembly of the province of the Massachusetts-Bay, convened at Boston in New-England, May 31st. 1699. Being the day for the election of counsellors in that province. / By Increase Mather.
Boston: printed by Bartholomew Green for Samuel Phillips, 1699
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.
THESE words were spoken in the Name of God, and by a Man of God unto Eli, who was an Honourable Person, being both the High Priest and the chief Judge in Israel, which were great Offices both in Church and State. Eli was a Descendent from Ithamar, who was Aaron's Second Son. How the High-Priesthood came to be Translated from the Family of Eleazar, who was the Elder Brother, to that of Ithamar, the Scripture no where informs us. It is probably conjectured, that the High Priests of Eleazar's Family, had by some heinous crimes in the Days of the Judges, provoked God to lay ⟨p. 4⟩them aside for several Generations. When Eli was advanced to this Dignity, the Lord promised to continue that Honour to him, and to his Posterity; but this Promise must be understood as conditional, viz. if they should acquit themselves in those Honourable Employments, as became them to do; but he and his, miserably failing in their Duty, God did justly deprive them of their Dignity The reason of which Dispensation is mentioned in the words before us. For it is everlastingly true, that they who honour God, shall be honoured by him; and they that do otherwise, shall sooner or later be lightly esteemed.
THESE words were spoken in the Name of God, and by a Man of God unto Eli, who was an Honourable Person, being both the High Priest and the chief Judge in Israel, which were great Offices both in Church and State. Eli was a Descendent from Ithamar, who was Aarons Second Son. How the High-Priesthood came to be Translated from the Family of Eleazar, who was the Elder Brother, to that of Ithamar, the Scripture no where informs us. It is probably conjectured, that the High Priests of Eleazars Family, had by some hainous crimes in the Dayes of the Judges, provoked God to lay ⟨p. 4⟩them aside for several Generations. When Eli was advanced to this Dignity, the Lord promised to continue that Honour to him, and to his Posterity; but this Promise must be understood as conditional, viz. if they should acquit themselves in those Honourable Employments, as became them to do; but he and his, miserably failing in their Duty, God did justly deprive them of their Dignity The reason of which Dispensation is mentioned in the words before us. For it is everlastingly true, that they who honour God, shall be honoured by him; and they that do otherwise, shall sooner or later be lightly esteemed.