N00896:19
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.
Dedication: To the HONOURED Representatives of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New England…
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.
The Representatives of the General Assembly then Sitting did express so much concern for the Churches, as to Vote their Thanks should be rendered unto those Reverend Persons for this their faithful Testimony. At which time also one of them, (namely Mr. Higginson) did in a Letter, all drawn up with his own hand recommend that matter which is in the Sermon emitted here with again proposed. In which Letter are the following words.
The Representatives of the General Assembly then Sitting did express so much concern for the Churches, as to Vote their Thanks should be rendred unto those Reverend Persons for this their faithful Testimony. At which time also one of them, (namely Mr. Higginson) did in a Letter, all drawn up with his own hand recommend that matter which is in the Sermon emitted here with again proposed. In which Letter are the following words.
I look upon it as my Duty, in a few Lines (that may not be mistaken) to Declare unto your selves, That I did and do own that ⟨image ?⟩Testimony [above mentioned] as my own Act and Deed, and also to give an Account of my Reasons for my so doing.
First, Because I desire to be found among the number of the Witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ, who said of Himself, Joh. 18 37. For this end was I born, & for this cause came I into the world, that I might bear witness to the truth, and Act. 1.8. Ye shall be witnesses unto me. Now I believe with my heart, and do confess with my mouth; That the Platform of Discipline (for the substance, end and scope thereof) doth contain such a part of the Truth of Christ relating to his Kingdom, and the Order of His Churches that I dare not but bear witness unto it, and against any that shall Rise up in opposition thereunto.