N00989:42
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.
The Voice of GOD IN Stormy Winds. › SERMON II. › Application 1: USE I.
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.
USE I.
We may from hence Infer several Instructions, for our Information and Direction.
1. If, Afflictive Storms do not come to pass but by the Providence of God, then the like is to be said concerning all other Afflictions, That there is a Divine Providence Ordering of them. Affliction comes not ⟨p. 37⟩forth of the Dust, nor does Trouble spring out of the Ground. No, It has an higher Original. The hand of Heaven is in it. Indeed as to the Evil of Sin, God is not, nor can He be the Author of it. He can't look upon that Evil. He is of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity. But as for Evils of Punishment, they are all from Him. Sin is Evil and has no Good in it, but the Punishment of Sin is Good. Thence there is no Punishment, no Affliction whatsoever but it is from Him. Amos 3.6. Is there any Evil in the City, and the Lord has not done it? There is no Evil of Affliction but the Lord has done it. If we speak of Particular Personal Afflictions, the Word of the Lord is fulfilled in them. If a man is afflicted in his Body, with painful Diseases; if he is chastened with Pain on his Bed, and the multitude of his Bones with strong Pains, it is the Lord that orders that affliction for him. If he is afflicted by Losses as to his outward Estate, although' men may be Instruments therein; Pirates, or Privateers may take his Estate from him, yet it is the Lord that has done it. Isa. 42.24. Who gave Jacob to the Spoil, and Israel to the Robbers, did not the Lord, He against ⟨p. 38⟩