A Call from Heaven, To the reader
To the Reader.
THe Title-Page prefixed to this Discourse, intimateth the Time and Occasion of its delivery. I had no cause to (nor did I) expect, that it would fall to my lot to speak, before the choice was made; If I had, I would have used means to prevent that trouble from coming upon my self or others. But it may be, God did it to prove me and see whether I would please men or Christ. And I hope I may (in some measure) say after the Apostle, We are bold▪ in our God to speak. Our Exhortation was not of deceit, but even so we speak not as pleasing men but God, which tryeth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, nor of men sought we glory. That great Reformer in Scotland, when upon his Death-bed, could say with comfort, That I did forbear none of what condition soever, I did it out of the fear of my God, who hath placed me in the function of his Ministry, and I know will bring me to an account. even so I must confess, the awfull sense of the great opportunity which the Lord▪ put into my hands to discharge my Consciscience, in being witness to his Name and Truth, & of the account which I certainly know I must give to him, caused me to speak as I did; and to avoid more controversal Discourses. There is indeed one particular insisted on, which is now become a matter of scruple & distast to some amongst us, viz. that which concerns the Magistrates power in matters of Religion. But as it was by me either intended or expressed, I know not to this hour why any one should be offended at it. I may better speak in this cause then some others, as having my self had experience what it is to have Conscience imposed on, and therefore would be loth that any truly conscientious should be burdened; and it is sufficiently known that I have a greater latitude & Indulgence in the point of Toleration, then many better then my self have. Nevertheless, I judge it most unreasonable that pretended liberty of Conscience, should be an▪ Asylum for the profanest errors to take Sanctuary in: as though men must therefore have liberty to Profane Sabbaths or Sacraments, or set up an Altar against the Lords Altar, and their Threshold by his Threshold, and their Posts by his Posts, when and where they please. It can not be, but the Lord will be provoked by such things; especially in New-England, where men are not under such Temptations to forsake their ass…mbling themselves together▪ as in some other places: and where zeal on the other hand hath been notorious, so that such Lukewarmness will in a people, circumstanced as we are, be an evidence of Apostacy.
I remember I had once the happiness to be acquainted with an eminent Divine in an other part of the world, who having an opportunity to give his Testimony against a prevailing evil, which the greatest in that nation were at that time too far carried away with, in his Sermon had this Expression, What I have to say, if it were in a Church full of Kings I would speak it. Such a spirit I believe doth become an Ambassador of …hrist, when delivering the Message of his Master Jesus. I shall therefore add no more at present,, only conclude, that if what is here expressed be but my own words or thoughts, its no great matter what's said; but if it be (as I am perswaded it is) the Word and Mind of Christ, then that God whose I am, and desire to serve, and in whose Name I have spoken, will surely confirm his word.
Boston, 22. day of the 2. MonethMonth. 1678. INCREASE MATHER.