To the Reader
To the Reader.
My design in the subsequent discourse, is not to enumerate all the particulars which might be mentioned, that doe [illegible] New-England's late deliverance to be a great answer of prayer: only to take notice of some more eminent passages of divine providence, whereby it does appear that the God of our salvation has answered as by terrible things in righteousness, against our Heathen adversaries. There is now cause for [illegible] holy solicitude left security should be the effect of these dispensations, lest we should now say, our mountain is made strong, and we shall never be moved. Howbeit there is little reason for such imaginations, if things be duly laid to heart: we cannot but remember, how near this tree was to cutting down a year or two ago; but the Lord of the Vineyard has at the earnest intercession of his servants let it alone this year also. But who can say, how far the Lord may cut and lop and ma[illegible] our vine branches before many years be expired? To this day we see not the end of our late bleeding distresses, and when this day of trouble shall be over, I for my part, must needs solemnly profess and declare, that I look for another seven times greater, though what it shall be, or how it shall come to pass I cannot tell; for I pretend not to any revelation, beyond what they that diligently compare the Word and works of God together, may attain to. It [illegible] me not a little that I should so frequently write and speak in [illegible] a strain, but I cannot forbear, the Lord has spoken, who can but prophesy? There are many considerations, which are enough to cause sad expectations of some more fatal changes of providence not far off, but especially these two,
1. There is not a general reformation in New-England so much [illegible] in any one particular, notwithstanding the Lord has tried us by all manner of [illegible] ways that may be thought of, even by lesser and greater judgments, and by signal mercies and deliverances: and that which aggravates our unreformedness, is that in the time of our trouble we have said, arise, and save us,
2. There are evils prevailing among us, which if they be not reformed, the Lord's controversy will not be ended, such as notorious self-seeking, reigning pride, shameful drunkenness, with the occasions leading thereunto; woeful apostasy, the blessed design of our fathers in coming into this wilderness not being minded and attended as ought to be: and as things are circumstanced, there is no hope that these and other evils should be reformed, until God arise and shake terribly the earth. So that nil nisi vota supersunt. On these accounts, it concerns us, to be crying to the Lord day and night. If we look abroad upon the face of the earth, in other parts of the world, the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. We behold [illegible] the beginning of travailing sorrows, even such things as evidence that some great birth is at hand. And in our horizon dark clouds gather apa[illegible], and the heavens are covered over with blackness. Surely in these respects, we may truly say as sometimes that martyr did, Pray, Pray, Pray, never [illegible] more need than now. And considering the blessed encouragement God has given us, whatever come on us, let us be [illegible] so doing.
Increase Mather. BOSTON, N. E. August. 16[illegible] 1677.
