N01899:38
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.
A most considerable Article of the Blessedness attending a People who hear the Silver-Trumpets of the Gospel, and pay due Regards unto them, 'tis this; They shall walk, O Lord, in the Light of thy Countenance. A Gracious Pre••nce of the Blessed GOD among a People, accompanies the Joyful sound. The Silver Trumpets are heard no where, but where the King of Heaven keeps His Court. There are those whose Office it is, to blow in the Silver-Trumpets. Unto those our SAVIOUR hath engaged Himself; Matth. XXVIII. 20. Lo, I am with you always. Will Health, and Wealth, and R••• among a People, make a Blessed People? 'Tis commonly thought so: But, What will GOD among a People? Oh! Blessed that People, whose GOD is the Lord; and who have a Gracious Presence of GOD among them. Even such are the People, who Know the Joyful sound! Where the Gospel with the Ordinances of it, are well settled, maintained, respected, and the Silver-Trumpets well founded, among a People, it may be said as in Numb. XXIII. 21. The Lord their God is with them, and the shout of a King is among them. In one Word, The Ordinances of the ⟨p. 17⟩Gospel furnish us with Opportunities for Communion with GOD. In them I will Commune with you, saith the Lord. We may herein Draw near to GOD; GOD will herein Draw near to us. The Voice of the Silver-Trumpets is, Draw near to God, and He will Draw near to you! Can any Blessedness be more Glorious?
BUT more particularly,
First, In the Joyful sound, we have the Guide to Blessedness. The Silver-Trumpets put us into the way, unto the Rest that remains for the People of God. We are ignorant of the way to Blessedness; and the way of Peace we have not known. But where the Trumpets of the Gospel Sound, there is a fulfilment of that Word;