N00896:21
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.
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.
First, Because I desire to be found among the number of the Witnesses of our Lord Iesus 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.
Secondly, Because I desire to be found amongst the Number of the Followers of those Holy men of God who composed it, who were our Fathers and Elders, and who lived and dyed in the practice of the same Truth, and who yet speak to us from the Dead, Be you Followers of us, as we followed Christ. 1 Cor. 11.1.