N00732:44
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.
Just as some ungodly Preachers in these days say, if men call themselves Christians and are Baptised, there is no need of preaching Conversion to them. It is a sign that a man ha's not been so faithful to Gods Interest as he should have been, when the wickedest of men extol him. One having heard that a very vicious person commended him, was troubled at it, Alas (said he) quid ma•• feci, what have I done amiss that so wicked a man should speak so well of me. So then a Reputation amongst such is no honour, nor desirable: but to have the love and respect of good men is desirable: therefore David prayed for that. Psal. 119. 79. Let those that fear thee, Turn unto me. And God did give him an Interest in their hearts. Verse 74. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me. Good men if they did but see David, they were glad: their hearts rejoiced to see that there was such a man yet living in the world. And this honour had the Governors in Israel who had generously ventured themselves in the cause of God and of his people. Wherefore the inspired Deborah said of them. Judg. 5. 9. My heart is toward the Governors of Israel. ⟨p. 26⟩h. e. I do in my heart love and honour them. And doubtless all the good people in the Land did so. And thus it was with Mordecai, out of respect to the Honour of God, he would not bow the knee to Haman. Haman was a Type of Antichrist, and no question aspired after, & expected a Religious Worship as Antichrist does, which Mordecai would not yield unto him: Now God did not only advance Mordecai to a very honourable Station, he was next to the King Ahasuerus, but also gave him a great Reputation amongst his people. E••h. 10. 3. He was great amongst the Jews, and accepted of the Multitude of his Brethren. The Hamanites could not endure him, but all good men loved and honoured him.
Just as some ungodly Preachers in these dayes say, if men call themselves Christians and are Baptised, there is no need of preaching Conversion to them. It is a sign that a man ha's not been so faithful to Gods Interest as he should have been, when the wickedest of men extol him. One having heard that a very vicious person commended him, was troubled at it, Alas (said he) quid ma feci, what have I done amiss that so wicked a man should speak so well of me. So then a Reputation amongst such is no honour, nor desireable: but to have the love and respect of good men is desireable: therefore David prayed for that.