N01064:47
A discourse concerning earthquakes. Occasioned by the earthquakes which were in New-England, in the…
A discourse concerning earthquakes. Occasioned by the earthquakes which were in New-England, in the province of Massachusetts-Bay, June 16. and in Connecticut-Colony [sic], June 22. 1705. : Also, two sermons, showing, that sin is the greatest evil; and, that to redeem time is the greatest wisdom. / By Increase Mather.A discourse concerning earthquakes. Occasioned by the earthquakes which were in New-England, in the province of Massachusetts-Bay, June 16. and in Conecticot-Colony [sic], June 22. 1705. : Also, two sermons, shewing, that sin is the greatest evil; and, that to redeem time is the greatest wisdom. / By Increase Mather.
Boston: printed by Timothy Green for Benjamin Eliot, 1706
Title page typeset from the transcription.
There shall be Great Earthquakes before the Lords Coming. › Application 3: USE III.
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. We should be very Thankful to God for His Mercy, in that this Earthquake did no harm. God has let us see His Power and His Goodness at the same time. Not any Person hurt, nor so much as one House overthrown! God that made the Earth to shake, could have made it to sink under us, or Houses to have fallen, and proved the Graves of you that dwelt in them. But we see, that He is •oth to make us as Admah, and set us as Zeboim, all our Sins notwithstanding. He has only given us Warning, without Striking so much as one Blow. It was Piously Expressed by a Great King, who being concerned at the appearance of a Blazing Star, when some said, We ought not to be dismayed at the Signs of Heaven, ⟨p. 31⟩replied, But we ought to Fear God, and to Admire His Goodness, who giveth us warning before He strikes us.
Secondly. This Earthquake should awaken us unto Prayer & Repentance. So it was with Christians in the Primitive Times; Earthquakes set them a Praying. Eusebius has Recorded a memorable Letter of the Emperor Antoninus, to his Subjects, who were not Christians, as neither was he himself. You (says he) would feign have me to Persecute and Destroy the Christians, whereas I understand there never happens an Earthquake, but they go and Pray to their God, that He would turn from His Wrath. And in that, they show more Religion than you do, why then should I to gratify you destroy them? Thus that Emperor.
Secondly. This Earthquake should awaken us unto Prayer & Repentance. So it was with Christians in the Primitive Times; Earthquakes set them a Praying. Eusebius has Recorded a memorable Letter of the Emperor Antoninus, to his Subjects, who were not Christians, as neither was he himself. You (sayes he) would faign have me to Persecute and Destroy the Christians, whereas I understand there never happens an Earthquake, but they go and Pray to their God, that He would turn from His Wrath. And in that, they show more Religion than you do, why then should I to gratify you destroy them? Thus that Emperor.