N00989:24
The voice of God, in stormy winds. Considered, in two sermons, occasioned by the…
The voice of God, in stormy winds. Considered, in two sermons, occasioned by the dreadful and unparalleled storm, in the European nations. Novemb. 27th. 1703. / By Increase Mather. ; [Five lines of quotations]The voice of God, in stormy winds. Considered, in two sermons, occasioned by the dreadful and unparallel'd storm, in the European nations. Novemb. 27th. 1703. / By Increase Mather. ; [Five lines of quotations]
printed by T. Green for Nicholas Buttolph, 1704
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. In that whatever comes to pass is ⟨p. 15⟩Decreed in Heaven. And therefore there is a Providence of God therein: For His Providence is a fulfilling of His Decree. Act. 15.18. Known unto the Lord are His works from the beginning of the world. There is a Fore-knowledge, and so a Predetermination of God concerning all works that shall be done in the world. Eph. 1.11. He works all things according to the Counsel of His will. The great Philosophers among the Gentiles, would acknowledge that there was an hand of Heaven in mighty Events and Revolutions in the world: but they thought it was beneath the Divine Majesty to have an Hand in little matters. But the Scriptures teach us to believe, that there is not the least thing that comes to pass in the world without Gods Decree and Providence therein. Christ therefore said to the Disciples, Mat. 10.29, 30. Not so much as one Sparrow does fall to the ground without your Father: The hairs of your Head are all numbered. Which implies that there is not the least thing that happen• to men in the Earth, but there is the hand of Providence ordering of it. And if not so much as a little Sparrow does fall to the Ground without the Providence ⟨p. 16⟩of God, then surely so great a thing as a wonderful Storm, that shall tear Trees up by the Roots, and overturn Houses, and cause many Vessels to be Shipwrecked, and thousands of Lives to be lost, does not come to pass without the Providence of God. Job does acknowledge the Win• which broke down the House and killed his Children, was a fulfilling of the Decree of God. Job 23.14 He performeth the thing that is app•••ed for me. As God faith to the Se•, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed.