N01237:38
A discourse concerning the grace of courage, wherein the nature, beneficialness, and necessity of…
A discourse concerning the grace of courage, wherein the nature, beneficialness, and necessity of that virtue for all Christians, is described. Delivered in a sermon preached at Boston in New-England. June 5th. 1710. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Two lines from I Corinthians]A discourse concerning the grace of courage, wherein the nature, beneficialness, and necessity of that vertue for all Christians, is described. Delivered in a sermon preached at Boston in New-England. June 5th. 1710. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Two lines from I Corinthians]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Samuel Phillips, 1710
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.
And yet when a Fatal Accident happened at Ziklag, the People began to speak of Stoning him. Rulers, especially such as are Chief in Government, are sometimes called unto a work in which they will meet with great Opposition: So it is when they are set over a Degenerate People; whose Reformation their Office obligeth them to Endeavour. Then they need a great Courage. Thus when Asa was King, ⟨p. 20⟩the People were greatly Corrupted with Idolatry; and some of the greatest Persons in the Kingdom were Enemies to Reformation; in special the Queens Mother was so. Wherefore God sent a Prophet, who said to the King and People; Be you Strong, and let not your Hearts be Weak; for your work shall be Rewarded. What work? Their Endeavours to Reform Corruptions and Abuses, both as to Worship and Manners: when Asa heard this, 'tis said, He took Courage, 2 Chron. 15. 7, 8. Moreover, It is the Duty of Magistrates to cause Evil Doers to be Punished, according to their Demerits: which they cannot do without Exposing themselves to the Hatred and Obloquy of it may be not a few; and that will terrify them from the Discharge of their Duty in Punishing Offenders, if they have not Courage. Job was a Faithful and Courageous Magistrate: wherefore he speaks as in Job 31. 34. Did I fear a great Multitude, or did the Contempt of Families terrify me? He knew that a Multitude of evil men would be Enraged at him; especially that the Families which were Related to the Malefactors, whom he ordered to be Punished for their wickedness, would be displeased; but that could not terrify him from the discharge of his Duty. There are Judges who if Great Criminals are Great Men, they will say nothing; but keep themselves at Home, when they should be on the Seats of Judicature. Job was no such Timorous▪Man-pleasing Judge; therefore ⟨p. 21⟩he adds, that he was not so terrified as to keep Silence, and not go out of Doors. Judges must be Able Men, Exod. 18. 21. The Hebrew phrase there, is, Aushe Chaijl, Men of Might; not in respect of Strength of Body, but of Greatness of Soul. A man of a Little Soul will be easily Corrupted with a Bribe; or out of Fear be Partial in his Judgments: But he that has a Mighty Courageous Soul, will not be so. A Famous Judge said, that the Life of a Judge was, Militia qu dam si non Martyrium; in both which Courage is requisite: