N00896:66
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.
But they that have to the utmost of their power sought the eternal weal of the Souls committed to their care, shall have a greater Crown of Glory than other▪ shall at the last day. The reward of a Prophet will be greater than the reward of another righteous man. Mat. 10.42. And they that have turned many to righteousness, shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever. Dan. 12.3▪
USE. II. I conclude briefly with a double word of EXHORTATION.
VSE. II. I conclude briefly with a double word of EXHORTATION.
Exhor. 1. To Lay it to heart as we ought to do, when God takes away Rulers, who have sought the Good of their People. When Samuel was dead all Israel Lamented him. When Moses was dead the Children of Israel wept for him. And has not the Lord taken away a Moses from New-England, since the last Election day? One that was wonderfully Saved out of the Water as Moses was. A man of great Learning, as Moses was Learned in all the Wisdom of Egypt. He sought the good of this People when he was concerned in an Agency for them in England I have heard some there speak Honourably of him on that account, they observed that his heart was set to obtain good for his People. The reason why he obtained no more was not his fault, it was not because he would not, but because he could not do it. Since that, amongst other Evidences of his seeking the welfare of his People, this is one, he has Loved our Nation, and has built us a College I wish New England may see such another Deputy Governor. It is a Solemn Providence that God has beheaded this Colony twice in less than half a year time. And our being left so long in a bleeding unsettled State adds to the Calamity.