N00732:45
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.
3. As for them that honour God, he makes their Names to be precious and honourable after they are dead and gone to a better World. Their Names are like an Ointment that is poured forth▪ Cant. •. 3. They have a sweet favour with them. Their Names live after their bodies are dead. Psal. 112. 6. The Righteous shall be had in Everlasting Remembrance. A long time after they are dead, they that knew them will speak honourably or them; and such as never knew them, only have heard of the Grace of God in them, will have honourable thoughts of them in their hearts. Many times their Names are ⟨p. 29⟩more precious after their death, then they were whilst alive. This we see in Moses: Whilst he was living, the people were always complaining and murmuring against him: Nothing could happen amiss, but presently they were ready to say, we may thank, Moses for all this; yet when he was dead they were ready to Idolize him: So the Jews would build the To•••s of the Prophets, & […] the Sepulchres of the righteous, whom whilst living, they cared not for. Mat. 23. 29. But as for wicked men they lea•• an ••• Name behind them. Prov. 10. 7. The memory of the Just is blessed, but the Name of the Wicked shall rot. What rotten Names do some wicked men leave behind them in the world: Their putrefied Carcasses are not so unsavoury as the vile Name which they have left to Posterity. But all the Honour mentioned is nothing compared with what God will bestow on his Faithful Servants. Therefore,
3. As for them that honour God, he makes their Names to be precious and honourable after they are dead and gone to a better World. Their Names are like an Oyntment that is poured forth▪ Cant. •. 3. They have a sweet favour with them. Their Names live after their bodies are dead.