N02454:75
Boanerges. A short essay to preserve and strengthen the good impressions produced by earthquakes…
Boanerges. A short essay to preserve and strengthen the good impressions produced by earthquakes on the minds of people that have been awakened with them. : With some views of what is to be further and quickly looked for. : Addressed unto the whole people of New-England, who have been terrified with the late earthquakes; and more especially the towns that have had a more singular share in the terrors of them. : [Three lines from I Chronicles]Boanerges. A short essay to preserve and strengthen the good impressions produced by earthquakes on the minds of people that have been awakened with them. : With some views of what is to be further and quickly look'd for. : Address'd unto the whole people of New-England, who have been terrified with the late earthquakes; and more especially the towns that have had a more singular share in the terrors of them. : [Three lines from I Chronicles]
Boston: printed for S. Kneeland, 1727
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.
In the Concern of Mind, which the Earthquakes raise in you, be not so concerned about lesser, and perhaps doubtful Matters, as to overlook the more Weighty matters of the Gospel. The Good Impressions from the Earthquakes, may be much damnified, by being diverted from the MAIN THINGS that are called for; Or, by Exclamations against the lesser Faults in others, putting by and shifting off, the Charge of much Greater in our selves. There may be the fine-spun Devices of Satan, in a Preposterous and an Irregular, and a Self-Opinionated Zeal; And we should not be Ignorant of His Devices.
As for Garments, by all means, let all Exorbitances and Extravagances be rebuked, and retrenched; All Trespasses against the Modest, and Shamefaced, and Sober Apparel, which the Word of GOD requires, be Redressed. GOD, as well as Good and Wise Christians, is displeased at them. Yea, 'tis now a proper season to make Humble Abatements, even of some lawful Ornaments. For the rest, let us keep to the Word of GOD, and moderately use, every Creature, which He has there granted us a ⟨p. 36⟩Charter for: And not fall into the Arrogant Pride of making Things to be Sins, which the Word of GOD has never made so: [But may be as lawful as for a Man to wear an Hat of Beaver's Fur, or a Ca• of Sheeps wool upon his Head.] Nor let us lay the Main stress of our Demands, on Things, which the worst People in the World, can as easily come to as the Best. But while we are zealously affected, as it is a Good Thing to be, against the Vanity and Luxury of a few Foolish People in their Garb, and the like, let us be Proportionably zealous against those grosser efforts of Ungodliness and Unrighteousness, which have the Wrath of GOD revealed from Heaven against them. And let our Main care be for, a SOUL so full of submission to GOD, a SOUL so full of Conformity to CHRIST, a SOUL so full of Benignity to Men, as the Gospel calls for. This is what all Wise Men are agreed in. While there may be those, who may see False causes of Punishment, and may enquire not wisely upon them.
As for Garments, by all means, let all Exorbitances and Extravagances be rebuked, and retrenched; All Trespasses against the Modest, and Shamefac'd, and Sober Apparrel, which the Word of GOD requires, be Redressed. GOD, as well as Good and Wise Christians, is displeased at them. Yea, 'tis now a proper season to make Humble Abatements, even of some lawful Ornaments. For the rest, let us keep to the Word of GOD, and moderately use, every Creature, which He has there granted us a