N01899:189
India Christiana. A discourse, delivered unto the Commissioners, for the Propagation of the Gospel…
India Christiana. A discourse, delivered unto the Commissioners, for the Propagation of the Gospel among the American Indians : which is accompanied with several instruments relating to the glorious design of propagating our holy religion, in the Eastern as well as the Western, Indies. : An entertainment which they that are waiting for the kingdom of God will receive as good news from a far country. / By Cotton Mather, D.D. and F.R.S.
printed by B. Green, 1721
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.
For more than Two Hundred Years after this, the Church was Enlarged and Governed by these Gifts of the Prophetic Spirit; and the Church enjoyed a sensible presence of her Beloved with her. But when the Carnal Spirit of this World, fermented with the Venom of the Epicurean Philosophy, entered into the Church, and she would no more acknowledge her SAVIOUR as her Governor, the Grieved Par•let withdrew, and there Succeeded a Kingdom animated with the Unclean Spirit of Antichrist; and for Three Years and Six Months, the Rain is withheld, from a Land Languishing under the Indignation of GOD.
For more than Two Hundred Years after this, the Church was Enlarged and Governed by these Gifts of the Prophetic Spirit; and the Church enjoy'd a sensible presence of her Beloved with her. But when the Carnal Spirit of this World, fermented with the Venom of the Epicurean Philosophy, entred into the Church, and she would no more acknowledge her SAVIOUR as her Governour, the Grieved Par•let withdrew, and there Succeeded a Kingdom animated with the Unclean Spirit of Antichrist; and for Three Years and Six Months, the Rain is witheld, from a Land Languishing under the Indignation of GOD.
But now at last; what if after the Twelve Hundred & Sixty Years of Antichrist are Expired, there should be heard the Sound of Abundance of Rain! What if the Dove sent forth Twice and Returning again, should go forth a Third Time, never to Return any more; and Abide with us, until the Flood of Ignorance and Wickedness in which the whole World at this day lies in a manner drowned, shall go off wholly from the face of the Earth? What if the Kingdom of GOD should come, with the Joy of the Holy SPIRIT, working with such Gifts and in such Ways, as He has promised, for both the Internal & External Propagation of His Gospel? Whether it shall be so or no; —I know not, GOD knows!
But now at last; what if after the Twelve Hundred & Sixty Years of Anrichrist are Expired, there should be heard the Sound of Abundance of Rain! What if the Dove sent forth Twice and Returning again, should go forth a Third Time, never to Return any more; and Abide with us, until the Flood of Ignorance and Wickedness in which the whole World at this day lies in a manner drowned, shall go off wholly from the face of the Earth? What if the Kingdom of GOD should come, with the Joy of the Holy SPIRIT, working with such Gifts and in such Ways, as He has promised, for both the Internal & External Propagation of His Gospel? Whether it shall be so or no; —I know not, GOD knows!