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The excellency of a public spirit discoursedThe excellency of a publick spirit discoursed
The excellency of a public spirit discoursed: in a sermon, preached in the audience of the General Assembly of the province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, May 27. 1702. Being the day for election of counsellors in that province. / By Increase Mather. ; [Four lines of quotations]The excellency of a publick spirit discoursed: in a sermon, preached in the audience of the General Assembly of the province of the Masachusetts Bay in New England, May 27. 1702. Being the day for election of counsellors in that province. / By Increase Mather. ; [Four lines of quotations]
printed by B. Green for Nicholas Boone, 1702
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
1. Then, In what respect is the Lord Jesus Christ compared to a Star, and in special to the Morning Star? For Answer,
1. Then, In what respect is the Lord Iesus Christ compared to a Star, and in special to the Morning Star? For Answer,
1. Stars are very glorious Creatures. Although there is a great difference among them as to their glory. Some Stars are of the first, others of the second, some of the sixth magnitude, as Astronomers are wont to distinguish. And the Apostle says, 1 Cor. 15.41. That one Star differs from another in glory; nevertheless, they are all glorious Creatures; and they are a glory and an ornament to that Heaven where God has set ⟨p. 67⟩them; therefore is it said, Job 26.13. He has garnished the Heavens; and how? namely with Stars that glitter there. How do the Heavens glitter in a clear Starry Night! Thus Christ is most glorious: When he appeared in Humane Shape to the Elders of Israel, Exod. 24 10. there seemed to be under his feet as it were a Sapphire Stone, and the body of heaven in its clearness. A Sapphire Stone is a glorious Gem full of beautiful specks resembling Stars. In like sort did Christs glory then appear. And there is no Star tho' of the greatest magnitude that is such an ornament unto the second Heaven, as Christ is, yea as the Humane Nature of Christ is to the Heaven of Heavens where he now does shine with inexpressible glory. Therefore 'tis said, That the Lamb (that is Christ) is the light and glory of the Heavenly Jerusalem. Rev. 21.23.
1. Stars are very glorious Creatures. Although there is a great difference among them as to their glory. Some Stars are of the first, others of the second, some of the sixth magnitude, as Astronomers are wont to distinguish. And the Apostle says,