Heaven's alarm to the world. Or A sermon, wherein is shewed, that fearful sights and signs in heaven, are the presages of great calamities at hand. Preached at the lecture of Boston in New-England; January, 20. 1680. / By Increase Mather.

Heaven's alarm to the world. Or A sermon, wherein is shewed, that fearful sights and signs in heaven, are the presages of great calamities at hand. Preached at the lecture of Boston in New-England; January, 20. 1680. / By Increase Mather.

Table of contents

Title page

TO THE READER.

HEAVEN'S ALARM TO THE WORLD.

[Page]

HEAVEN'S ALARM TO THE WORLD.

Luk. 21.11.

— Fearful Sights, and great Signs shall there be from Heaven.

THE Lord Jesus Christ, having told his Disciples that great Calamityes were hastning upon Jerusalem, and upon the Jewish Nation; they enquire when those things should come to pass, and what Signs should precede and presage the [Page] Judgements predicted. This we see in the 7th. Verse of this Chapter, They asked Him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be: and what Sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? In Answer unto which Enquiry, the Lord Christ doth in this Context mention several things, some of which were to be more remote, and others more immediate Signs of that miserable Destruction, which the sacred and unerring lips of Christ had foretold. 1. False Christs would arise, V. 8. Many shall come in my Name, saying, I am Christ, &c. The Jews had rejected the true Messiah, therefore God would punish them with false Christs, as an intimation that the dayes of vengeance were coming upon the Nation for that Sin of theirs. The Apostle John (Christ's beloved Disciple) doth imitate his Master in mentioning the same thing as a Sign that the Jewish World was near unto its end, 1 Joh. 2.18. There are many Antichrists b h. e. false Christs, such as came Mede's Works, I. 818, 872. in Christ's [Page] Name, i. e. that pretended unto his Office, Dignity, and Authority; and thereby, (saith the Apostle,) we know that it is the last time; sc. the Jewish State, both Civil and Ecclesiastical, was come unto the last hour: The Period of the Jewish World was at hand. And the Historyes of those times speak of one Theudas, and others, that pretended to be Christs, and that the River Jordan should give way to them as once it did to Joshuah; so that a multitude of silly Jews were seduced, & perswaded to follow them, unto their own destruction. 2. Another Sign mentioned, is that of Warres, and Commotions, V. 9. When you shall hear of Wars and Commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by & by. This may be understood of those Intestine Warres and Commotions, which hapned in the Land of Judea. The Galileans took up Arms against the Samaritans. At Joseph. Antiq. L. 20. C. 4, 5. De Bello Jud. L. 2. Cap. 11. one time, in a Mutiny there were twenty Thousand slain. These were Commotions, which caused [Page] great noise and consternation amongst men (especially amongst those of the Jewish Nation) in those dayes. Hence that which is by Luke expressed by Wars and Commotions, is by Mark called Troubles; and by Matthew, Wars and Rumors of Wars. And these things hapned about twenty years before the final destruction of Jerusalem, and fatal overthrow of the Jewish Nation; therefore was it said, The end is not by and by. 3. Another Sign is that mentioned in the 10th. V. Nation shall rise up against Nation, and Kingdom against Kingdom. Joseph. de Bello Judaico. Lib. 2. C. 19.20, 21. So indeed it came to pass, when the Jewish Nation rose up against the Romane Nation; and their Neighbouring Nations, Syrians, Samaritans, &c. rose against them. In those dayes the Land of Judea was divided into several Provinces, which did bear the names of Kingdoms, and the chief Governours of them are according to the Hebrew Style, called Kings, being the Vice-Roys which the Romane Emperours did substitute [Page] to be over those places.. See 1 King. 22.47. Hence we read of King Herod, King Agrippa, &c. Grotius, & Lucas Brugensis in Matth. 24.7. Now the people of these Provinces were set one against another; therefore it is said, Kingdom shal rise up against Kingdom. All these troubles were forerunners and Intimations of the fatal Calamity a coming, and did help to make way thereunto. 4. There were to be great Earth-Quakes in divers Places. In the beginning of this Verse. Such things are usually signs of Divine Anger, and so portentous of great Changes and Calamityes: the Intimations of State-Quakes, yea of Nation-Quakes. Historians speak of very tremendose Earthquakes which hapned in diverse places f whereby [Page] several famous Cities perished, not long before Jerusalem was destroyed. 5. Famines. Probably that Prediction doth respect the same Famine which Agabus prophesied of, Act. 11.28. Under which the Land of Judea suffered deeply. Whence it was that the Apostle Paul was very sollicitous to obtain some Relief for the Christian Jews then at Jerusalem. 6. Pestilences. These two Judgements, (Limoi kai Loimoi, as in the Greek it is elegantly expressed) of Famine, and Pestilence, do often go together, the latter following at the heels of the former, and being occasioned thereby. 7. Fearful Sights and great Signs in Heaven: which are the words now before us to consider of. Fearful Sights] Gr. Phobetra [Terriculamenta:] Such Sights as strike a terror into the hearts of men that are the Spectators of them. Signs from Heaven] viz. Prodigious Signs. These things are mentioned as the more immediate Presages of those Miseryes that were coming upon Jerusalem, with the whole Jewish Nation.

[Page] Doct. That Prodigious awful Sights and Signs in Heaven, are oftentimes, the Presages of great Calamity coming upon the World.

For the further clearing of this Doctrine, three things may be enquired into. 1. What Sights and Signs are the Presages of Calamity? 2. How it doth appear that they are so? 3. What Calamityes such Signs do commonly presage?

Q. 1. What Sights and Signs in Heaven are Presages of Calamity?

Ans. 1. There are Signs in the starry Heaven. The great God, when he made the World, placed the Stars in Heaven, to be for Signs as to Events that in the ordinary Course of Nature should come to pass. Gen. 1.14. God said, Let there be lights in the Firmament of heaven, and let them be for Signs. They are for Signs of Heat and Cold, wet and dry Seasons, and the like. Hence the Lord spake to Job, as in Ch. 38.31. Canst thou bind the sweet Influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? The Pleiades are the same with [Page] those which men call the Seven Starres. When the Sun is in that Constellation with the Pleiades, it hath great power and Influence upon the Earth. It is Springtime then. As for Orion See Mr. Caryl on Job, 38.31. it is a Winter-Constellation, causing Cold, whereby the pores of the earth are bound. It binds the Earth from bearing Fruit, and as it were binds the hands of Men from labour in their particular Callings. When that Constellation appears in the Evening (as it doth in the ninth Moneth) 'tis a sign that the Earth shall be bound, as hath bin expressed. Yea, and it is a sign that Storms and tempestuous seasons are to be expected. Therefore was it by the Poet called Nimbosus Orion. And hence the Stars are called by the name of the Signs of heaven, Jer. 10.2. Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the Signs of heaven. Which words may well be understood concerning the Stars and Constellations in the heavens. g For the Heathen, [Page] the Chaldeans especially (among whom the Jews were then going to dwell) superstitiously imagin'd that the Stars were Rulers of the World, and did therefore stand in fear of them, and worship them; which heathenish Idolatry the Lord doth caution and charge his People against. The Stars of Heaven are for natural Signs. Their Motions and Appearances are significations that such and such things, will according to that Course of Nature which God hath setled, come to pass in the World. There are also extraordinary Stars, sometimes appearing in the Heavens. God in his Providence doth so order, as that sometimes, Blazing Stars are seen in heaven. Such Stars are called Comets, from the stream like long Hair, which useth to attend them. Such a Star is Prodigious, and a Fearful Sight. And of this may the words of the Text be understood. The Jewish Warres of Jews, l 7. c 12 Historian reports, that not long before the destruction of Jerusalem, there was a Blazing Starre in [Page] form of a Sword, which seemed to impend over the City, for a Year together: This now was a fearful Sight, and a great Sign from Heaven.

2 There are fearful Sights and Signs appearing in the Air, sometimes in the lower heaven, which we move & breathe in. Prodigious Meteors are sometimes seen there. And strange Appearances, which are either seen, or heard speaking. Of these fearful sights and signs, is the Text likewise to be interpreted. Josephus relates, that before the Romane Army destroyed Jerusalem, there were seen in the Air, Iron Chariots, and Souldiers in battel aray; and in the night time, a great Light appeared in the Temple, for half an hour together, with as much brightness as if it had been noon day; and a Voice was heard saying, Let us be gone from hence.

Qu. How doth it appear that such Fearful Sights are Presages of Calamityes coming upon the World?

Ans. 1. The Scripture is clear for this. The Text before us doth expresly declare [Page] no less. And the Prophet Joel foretelling the same Calamityes which this Text hath reference unto, saith also, that prodigious Signs in heaven should presage and portend them. Joel, 2.30, 31. I will shew Wonders in the heaven. Truly, Blazing Stars are Wonders in the heaven. And in the Earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke before the great and the terrible Day of the Lord come. When Jerusalem was destroyed, and the Jewish state dissolved, that was a great and notable Day of the Lord, a Type of the great Day of Judgement. Wonders, even prodigious and amazing Signs should precede it. A very learned Mede Discourse. 6. P. 37 and judicious Interpreter conceiveth that the Hebrews of old did use to call Comets, or Blazing Stars by that name of A Pillar of Smoke; because sometimes they appear like Pillars of smoke, and that therefore when it is said, there shall be Pillars of smoke before the terrible Day of the Lord, the true meaning and intendment of those Expressions is, [Page] that Comets should precede and presage the miseryes coming upon the Jewish Nation. Yea, the Scripture informs us, that Fearful Sights and Signs in heaven, shall precede the Great and General Day of Judgement, as Presages thereof. Luk. 21.25. There shall be Signs in the starres: meaning that such things should be observed among the Stars in heaven, as would be a Sign that Christ's coming to Judge the World, did approach. Wherefore in Verse 28. it is said, When these things come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your Redemption draweth nigh. The Day of Judgement, is a Day of Redemption, and is so called in other Scriptures, Ephes. 4.30. Then shall the Bodies of the Saints be redeemed from the power of the Grave; and both Bodies and Souls, redeemed from all Evils of sin and of suffering. Rom. 8.23. 1 Cor. 1.30. At the Resurrection, in the last Day, will the great Redemption be to the Saints of God, and the greatest Miseryes to the Wicked that ever were thought of. And [Page] Signs in heaven shall precede them. And hence it is, that Fearful Sights are called Signs in the Scripture; it is partly on this account, in that they are Signs that the Lord is coming forth out of his holy habitation, to punish the World for their Iniquityes.

2. The Experience of many Ages doth bear witness to the truth of this Doctrine. If the Scripture were silent about this matter, the Experience both of former and later Ages doth sufficiently and sadly confirm the Truth in hand. Hence an k heathen Writer could say, If God be about to punish a City or a Nation, He is wont first to give warning of it by Prodigyes, by Signs from heaven. And commonly it is so, that when stupendous Signs go before, stupendous Judgements follow after. Some (l) have written large Volumes concerning [Page] the Fearful Sights, which have at several times and places been observed in the World; and the Judgements and Miseryes which have followed.

3. Many times such fearful Sights are tokens of God's Anger; which is another Reason why they are called Signs, as being Signs of the Anger of God. Signs that flaming Vengeance is kindled, and burning in Heaven against a sinful World. Now when God is angry, then Publick Judgements come, as Testimonyes of Divine Displeasure. Personal Afflictions are not alwayes Evidences of God's Anger, as we see in Job: but Publick Judgements are ever wont to be so. 'Tis thought that the ninetieth Psalm was penned by Moses on occasion of a publick Judgement, the Plague which broke in upon the Children of Israel, and swept away many Thousands of them: And saith he, We are consumed by thy Anger, & by thy Wrath are we troubled, V. 7. So that if Publick Judgements come, God is angry, and his Wrath kindled: He doth [Page] by them testify, and power down his righteous Displeasure from Heaven. Inasmuch then as fearful Sights are Tokens of God's Anger, they are Presages of great and publick Calamities. As the Rainbow (though a natural Sign) is a token of Divine Favour; so are prodigious Sights Tokens of Divine Anger.

4. These fearful Sights are many times Presages of those things which make way for great Changes and Calamityes to come upon the World. They are oftentimes (Blazing Stars m in a more special manner are so) the Presages of the death of great; yea, and of worthy Men. Is not the fatal downfal of Augustulus (the last Roman Emperour) in the Scripture emblematically set forth, by that of a Blazing-Star n falling to the ground? [Page] Rev. 8.10. There fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp. It is conceived, that the ruine of Augustulus, dethroned by Odoacer the Herulian, was signified by those words, and that he is resembled to that sort of Comets, which is called Lampadias. And when there is a Star burning and blazing in heaven, commonly it proves fatal to some Augustulus; whence great Changes & miseryes ensue. Yea, the Death of worthy (as well as great) Personages, is sometimes portended by such Signs. A little before great Constantine's death, a blazing Star appeared, and infinite miseryes followed. In the Year Alsted. Chronol. C. 49 ubi de Cometit. See Spotwood's Hist. Scotl. p. 94. 1556. a Comet (then vulgarly called a fiery Beesom) was seen; and soon after, many learned, useful, worthy Men dyed; whose death was an unspeakable loss and misery to the places where they had lived.

Quest. 3. What Calamityes do such fearful Sights and Signs in heaven presage?

Ans. We must not be particular and [Page] positive in Interpretations of things of this nature. When a fearful Sight appears in heaven, which the whole World cannot but take notice of, now to make a particular and absolute determination V. Voet. in Disp. de Signis. P. 919, 930., that such a Place, or such a Person, such a Judgement, is certainly intended thereby, is too much boldness. In general, we may safely say, that there is just cause to expect that great Calamityes are at hand: but what Persons or Places shall more eminently fall under those Judgements, is not for us to determine; but we must leave that with God, who best knows what himself intends to do.

This being premised, we proceed in Answering the Enquiry before us.

1. Sometimes such Signs are Presages of great Persecutions coming upon the Church of God. The Lord in mercy to his People, giveth them such Warnings, that so they may prepare for what's a coming, or make haste to enter into the Chambers of safety, as it were for a little [Page] moment, till the Indignation be overpast. Nero's bloudy Persecution had a Blazing Star to precede it. The same is true concerning the Arian Heresy and persecution▪ that flood spoken of in the Revelation, which the Dragon cast out of his mouth, and whereby the Woman, the Church, fled into the Wilderness, was in eminent danger of being swallowed up and devoured. Rev. 12.15.

2. Sometimes such Signs in heaven are Presages of miserable Dearths and Scarcity. That Blazing Star impending over Jerusalem, which the Text hath reference unto, was attended with a terrible. Famine, whereby multitudes perished q. And therefore such Signs are frequently portentous of those Judgements, which [Page] cause Want and scarcity▪ e. gr. of sore Droughts and Blastings, and the multiplication of noxious Creatures that destroy the Fruits of the Earth. All which particulars I could confirm unto you by approved History, which declareth how they have all been presaged by Blazing Stars in heaven.

3. Lamentable Deaths and Destructions amongst Men, have been oftentimes presaged by such Sights in heaven. Sudden and amazing Ruines, by r Earthquakes, by Inundations, by Fire, and the like awful Visitations, have been thereby portended. Especially destructions by mortal and contagious Diseases. That strange Disease, known by the name of [Page] Sudor Anglicanus, which in a peculiar manner pursued those of the English Nation, even when in strange Lands; whence they were dreaded in all places where they came, there was a Blazing Star that did precede it. Especially that which is, of all Diseases miserable Mortals are subject unto, the most terrible, I mean the Plague of Pestilence, s it is frequently thus presaged. Such Sights are Heaven's Alarm to a sinful World, to give notice that God hath bent his Bow, and made his Arrows ready, and that if Sinners turn not, the Arrows of Pestilence and Death shall fall down upon them speedily. This might be confirmed by a multitude of Instances; but it needs not. Our own Experience is enough. We cannot but rememember the Blazing Star that was seen but 16 [Page] Years agoe, and a terrible Plague followed; so that in our own Nation, near upon an hundred thousand were swept away in one City, and in one Year. And it is reported, that immediately after that great Blazing Starre, which appeared above threescore years ago, God sent the Plague See Mr. Gorge's Description of New-Engl. Pag. 27. amongst the Natives in this Land, which swept them away in such multitudes, as that the living were not enough to bury the dead. So did the Lord cast out the Heathen before this his People, that the way might thereby be prepared unto our more peaceable settlement here, The Lord in mercy grant, that we may never, by becoming like unto the Heathen in Profaneness and Irreligion, provoke Him to do unto us, as He hath done unto them.

4. Such fearful Sights and Signs in heaven, are usual Presages of War among the Nations, and so of those Devastations and Desolations which the Sword leaveth behind it. Prodigyes on the Earth doe [Page] sometimes betoken War and Bloodshed, 2 King. 3.22. And Signs in Heaven do no less. Thus in my Text, the Romane Sword, which made the Jewish Nation desolate (according to Daniel's Prophesy Ch. 9.27.) was portended by a fearful Blazing Star in heaven. u

And when Alaricus the Goth made such a terrible Irruption upon the Romane Empire, like a storm of Hail, and Fire, and Blood, Rev. 8.7. Blazing Stars in heaven preceded those Calamityes. When Attila, who they say, called himself Flagellum Dei, God's Whip, to scourge the World for their Wickedness, when he was armed to be the Executioner of divine Vengeance upon the Earth, destroying Cityes, and laying Nations waste before him, Blazing Stars were seen preceding and portending those miserable Times. In like manner, when the Saracens (the first Wo-Trumpet) and the Turks (the [Page] second VVo-Trumpet, prophesied of in the Revelation) were let loose upon the Apostate Christian VVorld, Blazing Starres, and Fearful Sights in heaven did precede those woful Dayes. And are there not some alive, and here before the Lord this day, that can remember the blazing Star which appeared in the 9th. and in the 10th. Moneths, in the Year 1618. and the next Year began that unhappy VVar in Germany, which proved so fatal to the Protestant Interest there.

Thus have we seen what Judgements and Calamityes, Fearful Sights in heaven are commonly the Presages of. As for that SIGN in heaven, now appearing, (which hath occasioned me to speak this Word at this time) what Calamityes may be portended thereby, which of the Judgements mentioned, or whether all of them be not thereby presaged, I shall not say; but leave it unto God and Time to discover. Only in general, we have cause to fear, that sweeping Judgements are thereby signified; that the Lord is [Page] coming down from Heaven vvith a long Beesom of Destruction, which shall sweep away a world of Sinners before it.

I conclude with a word of Application: Nor would I speak any thing, but the words of Truth and soberness, as becometh a Messenger of Christ to doe, when speaking in His Name.

USE. Let us hence be Exhorted to approve our selves as those that are under the solemn, awful Warnings of God, ought to do. I need not say (for every one knows it) that there is a Fearful Sight and Sign appearing in the heavens: Such a formidable Blazing-star, as that the like hath seldom been observed. It concerns us then, to hearken to the voice of the Lord therein; who by such tremendous Sights is speaking awfully to the children of Men. Hear then Heaven's Alarm this day. You will say, But what should we now do? What doth the Lord expect from us, when there are such dreadful Presages of Evils coming upon the World?

[Page] Answ. 1. It now concerns us to be awakened out of all Security. That's one of God's ends (his declared end) in causing such Fearful Sights to be taken notice of, that so he might awaken a secure sleeping World. And indeed the Lord manifests his Goodness and Compassion towards sinful Creatures therein. It was a pious Speech of that ‘Ejus Clementiam laudare tenemur, qui nostram inertiam, talibus monere dignatur indicijs.

Carolus Magnus; vel ut alij volunt, Ludovicus I. Caroli Magni filius.

’ Emperour, who beeing somewhat terrified at the sight of a Blazing-starre, said to those about him, Let us admire the Clemency of that God, who before He smites us, causeth such Signs in heaven, that so He might awaken us out of our Security. O let us beware of crying Peace, Peace, when the Day of Destruction is at hand. O take heed of sleeping, and dreaming of nothing but worldly Prosperity at such a Time as this. When the Lord Jesus Christ had told his Disciples, that calamitous Times were a coming, and mentioned [Page] the Signs and Presages thereof, He bids them Watch therefore, Luk. 21.36. Let us not then please our selves, with imagining that such Fearful Sights are Signs of Mercy only, and not of Judgement. The contrary unto which Opinion, hath been confirmed by more than two hundred Instances

Consulatur Heidfeld, Sphynx Philosoph. p. 1087.

‘Vniversali Experientia, & hominum consensu, praejudicatum est, Cometas magnas mutationes portendere.

Voet. Disp. de signis p. 929.

’. Men are exceeding apt to interpret such things in a way of favour to themselves, when nothing less is intended thereby. So when these Fearful Sights and Signs in heaven; which my Text speaketh of, were seen at Jerusalem, the Jews did interpret them as good Omens to themselves; and as ominous of Destruction to their Enemies. The Prodigies in Germany Vid. Clark's Martyrology p. 311. &c. were looked upon by the Protestants as Signs of Deliverance unto them, and of Destruction to their Enemies. But alass! [Page] the Event was quite otherwise. And let us not make our selves secure, by saying or thinking, that the Lord by such fearful Sights speaks to others onely, and not unto us. As Vespasian the Emperour, when Testante Suetonio. there was a long hairy Comet seen, he did but deride at it, and make a Joke of it, saying, That it concerned the Parthians that wore long hair, and not him, who was bald: but within a Year, Vespasian himself (and not the Parthian) dyed. Such fearful Sights are usually Signs, that those Judgements, which are (as Tertullian speaks) Tonsurae humani generis, God's sharp Razors on Mankind, whereby He doth poll, his Sythe, whereby He doth shear down multitudes of sinful Creatures, doe draw near: In which respect, there is no doubt to be made of it, but that God by this Blazing-star, is speaking to other Places, and not to New-England onely. And it may be, He is declaring to that generation of hairy Scalps, who go on still in their Trespasses, that the day of their Calamity [Page] is at hand, and that the things which shal come upon them make haste. A strange Sight doth betoken strange Punishment coming upon those that have been prodigious workers of Iniquity. Yet let not us promise to our selves nothing but Prosperity in the doleful & the bitter Day, when there shall be Lamentation generally. I am perswaded, that the floods of great water are coming. I am perswaded that God is about to open the windows of heaven, and to pour down the Cataracts of his Wrath, ere this Generation (wherein Atheism and Profaneness are come to such a prodigious height) I say, ere this Generation is passed away. But what reason have we to think that no drops of the fatal Storm shall come near to us? If we so conclude, we may provoke the Lord to say, The Sinners of my People shall dye by the Sword, who say, The Evil shall not overtake us nor prevent us. To be awakened out of Security, and tremblingly to wait for the good Pleasure of God, whatever it may be, is the most likely [Page] way to find Rest in the day of Trouble. So did the Prophet find it, Hab. 3.16. When I heard, my belly trembled, my lips quivered, I trembled in my self, that I might rest in the Day of Trouble. When the thundring voice of Judgement was heard, his heart trembled at it, so did he find Rest in the Day of Trouble.

2. This should put us upon preparing for another Day of Trouble. And this should we do the rather, since the Changes portended by this Comet, are like to come speedily as well as certainly. Joseph said to Pharaoh, For that the Dream is doubled, it is because the thing is established by God, & God will shortly bring it to pass. Gen. 41.32 Doth not the doubled Appearance of this Fearful Sight in the heavens speak as much? Let us then prepare for Trouble. We should not onely expect it; but so expect it, as to prepare for it. Certainly we have reason so to do. If there had been no Blazing-star, yet upon other accounts, we have cause to expect and [Page] prepare for another Day of Trouble, which seems to be hastning upon thee O NEW-ENGLAND, and upon thee, O BOSTON! The Sins which are amongst us, are surer and blacker Signs of Judgement, than any Signs in heaven, that we may think of. I say the Sins, the Pride, the Profaneness, the Worldliness, the general Security and Iniquity that prevaileth amongst us. Especially considering how little good all former Judgements and Dispensations have done upon us. What Fiery Desolations hath the Lord made amongst us? The Lord hath been roaring out of Sion. Such roaring Judgements have been amongst us, as that the Report of them hath been heard afar off. Sword, Death, and Fire. But (alass! O Lord God) may it not be said concerning the generality of men, They return not to Him that hath been smiting of them? They are the same since the War, since the Small-Pox, since the Fires ▪ that they were before. Ah! what will come next? We have cause to expect, and it vvill be [Page] our vvisdom to prepare for another Day of Trouble seven times greater than the former. It grieveth me to speak thus, but I cannot forbear. I feel that the Word of the Lord is like a fire in a mans bones, and it will break out. The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy? And now know for certain, that if destroying Judgements and Death overtake any in their Sins, and sweep them avvay to Hell, their blood shall be upon their own heads. For the Lord hath fired his Beacon in the heavens, among the Stars of God there; the Fearful Sight is not yet out of sight. The Warning-piece in heaven is going off, now then if the Lord discharge his Murdering-pieces from on high, and men be found in their Sins, unfit for Death, their blood shall be upon them. They had Warning given them that the Sword was a coming: Lo, the Lord himself gave them the warning; but they would not take vvarning, their blood shall be upon them. Moreover, if Troubles should not come, yet it vvill be vvisdom to prepare [Page] for them. If the Lord, after Hee hath sent his Angel to stand with a drawn Sword over Jerusalem, should be entreated to spare us, yet it will never do us hurt to prepare for the most deadly Arrows of Affliction that may light upon us, vvhilst in this Vale of Tears.

3. We should do what in us lyes to divert those Judgements, which seem to be impending, and blazing over our heads. This word of Comfort, I may safely speak, The Lord's Threatenings are not absolute; but conditional. So far as we in these ends of the Earth, these goings down of the Sun, are spoken unto, by this Sign in the heavens, it is possible we may escape the Evils threatened thereby, if we duely hearken to the Voice of God therein. Jer. 18.7, 8. At what time I speak concerning a Nation & concerning a Kingdome, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it: if that Nation against whom I have pronounced, turn from their Evil, I will repent of the Evil that I thought to doe unto them. So that when desolating Judgements are [Page] threatned, either by the Word, or by the awful Works of God, those denunciations of Wrath are not absolute, but conditional. If Repentance intervene, the Evils which otherwise must be looked for, may be diverted. See therefore Jer. 36 3, 7. It may be the house of Judah will hear all the Evil which I purpose to do unto them, that they may return every man from his evil way. Ay, a general Repentance is that which will do, if every man turn from his evil way, that I may forgive their Iniquity and their sin. It may be they will present their Supplication before the Lord, &c. This is that which the Lord would have; therefore He saith, I'le stir up the spirit of my Ministers and Ambassadors, that they shall declare and denounce my Judgements against a sinful Generation. It may be they will hear. And I'le speak by awful Signs from heaven, that may be as Heraulds to proclaim Wrath and Wo to the World, It may be they will hear, and then shall their sins be forgiven. You will say, But what shall we do, that so the Judgements[Page]which are blazing over us, may be diverted from us? Answ. Pray, and cry mightily to Heaven. For this let every one that is godly pray unto the Lord in a time wherein He may be found, and before the Floods of great waters come nigh unto us. Our Lord Jesus Christ, having warned his Disciples of approaching Calamityes, He concludeth vvith an Exhortation unto Prayer, Luk, 21 36. Pray alwayes, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass. Prayer may do much toward the averting of wrathful Judgements and Desolations. When the Lord threatned to bring Famin and Destruction upon his People, Amos fell to praying; and God said, This shall not be, this Judgement and threatned desolation shall not be. Amos 7.3, 6. O then, let us deprecate impending Judgements. Do vve see the Sword blazing over us? Let it put us upon crying to God, that that Judgement may be diverted, and not return upon us again so speedily. Do vve see the Arrows of Pestilence [Page] and Death blazing over us? Oh! Pray that the destroying Angel may not be sent to vvalk in darkness, and to vvaste at noon day. Doth God threaten our very Heavens? O pray unto Him, that He vvould not take away Stars and send Comets to succeed them. Pray that the Lord Jesus, vvho holds the Stars in His right Hand, may continue those in the Firmament of his Churches (the Heaven vvhich his own Hand hath planted) who are indeed Stars, vvilling to impart the Light vvhich they have received from Christ, unto his People: and that wandring Stars, blazing Stars, seducing Spirits may never come in their room. I am not vvithout fear, that this vvill at last be the Judgement of God upon New England and upon these Churches. Pray that it may never be. And our Supplications should be attended vvith deep Humiliation, Zeph. 2.2, 3. Gather your selves together, h. c. Come before the Lord in a vvay of publick, solemn Humiliation, before the decree, i. e▪ the Judgement written [Page] and threatned, bring forth, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord's anger come upon you: seek the Lord — It may be you shall be bid in the day of the Lord's anger. Thus then should we do in this day, vvhen there are such dark & angry Clouds hanging over our heads; and vve know not how soon they may break upon us. And truly, if our Lectures, were, some of them, turned into dayes of Prayer, at such a time as this, it is no more than vvhat there is cause for. And there is one thing more, that should in special be remembred by us; a thing that hath been much tal'kd of; but little hath been done in it, that is, Reformation! Reformation! When the Prophet Jonah vvas sent of God to preach and say, Yet forty dayes, and Nineveh shall be destroyed: that was a more awful Sign of Desolation, than if they had seen a Blazing star hanging over the City, menacing the Ruine thereof: Yet vvhen they repented, and reformed (though it vvas but an external Reformation) the Lord spared them [Page] forty years longer. Ah! New-England, wilt thou not do more than Nineveh? shall there not be so much as an external Reformation of those things that provoke the glorious Eyes of Heaven? Will not the haughty Daughters of Sion, reform their Pride in Apparel? Will they have the Attire of an Harlot? Will they lay out their Hair, and wear their false Locks, their Borders, and Towers like Comets, about their heads? Will they do so, untill God send his Arrows from Heaven, to smite them down into the Grave, where the dayes of Darkness shall be many? And shall there be still such a multitude of Licensed Drinking-Houses (and Town-dwellers frequenting them) to the Shame of Boston, and to the Infamy of New-England; notwithstanding the Testimony which God, and his Servants have given against it? How then shall we think to escape in the Day of the Lord's Anger; if a Reformation, so much as in these Externals, which it is so easy to reform, will not be obtained? O Return, Return unto [Page] the Lord. And in that way let us betake our selves unto the shading Wings of the Lord Jesus! Do we not hear Him speaking to us, as sometimes unto Jerusalem? Mat. 23.37. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thee, as an Hen her Chickens under her wings. Saith the Lord, The Roman Eagles, those birds of prey, are hastening upon you: But if you would have come under My Wings, you should have been safe enough. Even so, doth not the Lord say, O New England! New England! dost thou not know that the birds of prey are designing to devour thee But my Wings are broad enough to secure and shelter thee, when the black and stormy tempest shall break [...] the World. If vve be found a praying, an humble, a reforming People, vvee need not doubt but that Under the shadow of His Wings, we shall make our Refuge, untill the Calamity be overpast.

[...]

Notes

f

Sex circiter annos, ante Vrbis excidium, tres Asiae clarissimas urbes, Terrae-motu eversas esse, testatur Orosius. L. 7. Tacitus scribit, sub Tiberio Nerone, duodecim civitates in Asia Terrae-motu collapsas esse: Ac denuo in quinto ejus regni anno, tredecim urbes Terrae-motu cecidisse.

Vide Bertram. in Matth. 24.7.

g

Ita locum interpretantur Rab. Solomon Jarchi, & exillo Lyranus.

Voetius Disp. select. Par. 2. P. 923.

k

‘Cum Deus puniturus sit gentem vel urbem, Prodigijs id prius solet significare,

Herod. l. 6.

’ Lege Melchioris Junij Orat. Par. 1. p. 425.

(l)

Conradus Lycosthenes Librum edidit in quo omnia collegit Prodigia, quae ab exordio mundi ostensa sunt.

Zanch. de natura Dei, p. 414.

m

Damascen. l. 2. c. 6. Isidor. l. 3. Etymol.

— [...] timendi

Syderis, & terris mutantem regna Cometam.

Lucan.

Anno 1471. ardet Cometa: Hoc anno multi Principes moriuntur. Anno 1477. multi Principes obierunt.

Alsted.

n

Mede in Apoc. 8.10.

q

In the Years after Christ, 876. 948. 964. there were Blazing Stars seen, presaging Famines & other Judgements. In Annis 674, 675, 676. Comets appeared, and sore Droughts followed: In some Countryes it rained not for 3 Years together. The like Miseryes followed the Comet Anno 1477. In Annis 594. 1527. 1542. Comets were seen, and Armies of Locusts followed, devouring the Fruits of the Earth.

r

In the Years 66, 78. 79, and 668. Comets appeared, after which terrible Earthquakes hapned in many Places. Annis 377, 912, 1530. there were blazing stars appearing; and Inundations followed in diverse places. Quickly after the Comet Anno 882. the famous City of Triers was burnt to the ground. Alsted. ubi supra. Memorabile fuit Portentum Terrae-motus Anno 1618. quando ruina montis, qua totum Oppidum plurium, & Vicus Schilanus cum 900 Hominibus oppressa.

s

Anno 1457 Cometa quem nigrum app [...]hant, apparuit, secuta est Pestis diuturnior. Anno 1472. Duo Cometae: Pestis adeo savijt, ut Cognati proximi desererent suos. Idem eodem Libro. Anno 1006. Cometa, quem Pestis excepit, ut vivi cum mortuis sepelirentur: multa Oppida plane exhausit.

u

— Belli mala signa Cometae.

Tibul.

Stella [...]elucebit Gladij mortalibus index.

Sibyl. Or. l. 3.

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

HEAVEN'S ALARM TO THE WORLD OR A SERMON, wherein is shewed, That Fearful Sights And Signs in Heaven, are the PRESAGES of great CALAMITIES at hand.

Preached at the Lecture of Boston in New-England; January, 20. 1680.

By Mr. INCREASE MATHER.

The Second IMPRESSION.

Rev. 8.10.

And the third Angel sounded, and there fell a great Star from heaven, burning as it were a Lamp, &c.

Rev. 11.14.

— behold, the third Wo cometh quickly.

BOSTON IN NEW-ENGLAND, Printed for Samuel Sewall. And are to be sold by Joseph Browning at the Corner of the Prison-Lane Next the Town-House. 1682.

TO THE READER.

[Page]

COncerning those admirable; and amazing works of God, which are by us called Comets, as under a Physical and Mathematical Consideration, there are many that have published their Sentiments, and some to good purpose and edification. The scope of the ensuing discourse, is only (that being most proper for one under my circumstances) to make a Theological Improvement thereof. There are that do propound this inquiry, How many Comets hath the world taken notice of since the first Creation? Which is indeed a Question that no mortal living is able to give a full and certain answer unto. It is true that sundry learned and worthy Writers (especiall Lavater and Alsted) have attempted to give us the History of Comets, nor hath their labour been wholly in vain or unprofitable. In the Authors but now mentioned (though others give us a larger account) We do not read of above eleven Blazing Stars, in those Ages (for about four thousand years) that were before the Incarnation of the Son of God: Doubtless there were more; but the Records of those times are very imperfect, so that we cannot say, when they appeared, or by whom observed. The number of Comets seen these last 1680. years, is judged to be about 158. Some speak of a farr greater number, but oth [...]s question whether there have been so many, inasmuc [...] as diverse appearances of the same [Page] Comet have been set down by Historians as if they had been so many distinct Comets ▪ Such Stars (for so rather than Meteors have the Observations of later times evinced them to be) have ever been accounted Ominous Presages of great mutations and miseryes coming upon the world. So did the wise men amongst the Gentiles of old (a) their Orators, Poets, Philosophers ever esteem of them. And the observation hath been sadly verified, by the experience of latter Ages; consonant to the holy Scriptures of Truth, where (both in the Old Testament and in the New) Prodigious Sights and Signs in the heavens are mentioned as the presages of great Calamityes. Some object that after the blazing Star, Anno, 1097. A very fertile prosperous year followed, but they forget that the next ye [...]r a direful Plague raged in the World. Others object that Wickliffs and Luthers Reformations, had Comets to procede them. But (to say nothing of the Warrs and fatal changes which in those dayes hapned in diverse parts of the World) two or three exceptions do not invalidate the truth of a general Assertion. If such signs are commonly Presages of sore Calamityes, that's enough to awaken men out of their Lethargyes, though now and then, once in an hundred times it should happen to be otherwayes, which yet remains to be demonstrated. As for their notion who think that Comets are signs that [Page] the light of the Gospel shall be further dispersed in the world, or that they portend mercy to the Church, and Judgement to others only; it is to be wished that there were a solid foundation for such a conceipt: But alas▪ Divisions amongst the Lord's professing People themselves, and great Persecutions have oftentimes been the fatal consequents of such portentous signs. And if publick calamities come upon the world, it is not to be expected but that the Lord's People, whilst they are mixed amongst others (and too much partaking with them in their sins) living in an evil world, will have their share therein. It hath ever been so, and is ever like to be so, until the sign of the Son of Man appear.

As for the Blazing Star, which hath occasioned this present Discourse, it was a terrible sight indeed, especially about the middle of December last, the stream of such a stupendous magnitude, as that few men now living ever beheld the like. That in the year, 1618. was looked upon as very prodigious History of great Brittain, Pag. 128. Clark's Example, Vol. 2. p. 256. yet the radiant Locks of it were not at first though at last extended above 45. degrees in length, whenas this was about 60. degrees. Yet I cannot say there never was any so dismal since the world began, for I have read of diverse no less fearfull. Seneca Nat. Quest. Lib. 7. C. 15, 16. speaketh of a Comet whose magnitude was equal with that of the Sun: And of another that prodigiously diffused it self over the Via lactea; and of another very formidable, after which Helice and Buris, Cityes in Achaiae perished by a fearful Inundation. That which appeared Anno Christi, 1452. Teste Nauclero. was above 50. degrees in length. Writers speak of some [Page] Blazing Star that hath been attended with a much longer stream; Yea, of one that was 90. and another that was 130. degrees. Nevertheless, one so fearful to behold as this, hath rarely been known: And without controversie some great thing is portended thereby. I see little reason to conclude, that it is an Omen of happy dayes to the world untill God hath made way for mercy by great Judgements. Especially considering, that we are fallen into the dregs of time, wherein the dayes must and shall be perilous. It was long since

Keckerm. Phys. ubi de Cometis. p. mihi 1697.

Magius de exustione Mundi. l. 3. c. 10.

conjectured, that in the Ages more immediatly preceding the day of Judgement, Comets and other fearful Sights should be more frequent than formerly, as intimations of the great and amazing Revolutions in those Ages to be accomplished. It will not be long before the second Wo Trumpet hath done its work, and then the third Wo will come quickly. The Lord grant that we may be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of Man at His coming.

The learned and judicious Hospinian De Origine templorum. p. 59. writes that Anno, 729. There was a Comet seen first in the East, in the Morning, and after in the West in the Evening (just as with our present Blazing Star) Quasi Orienti simul & Occidenti magni alicujus mali Praesagi. We have cause to fear that this Comet so appearing doth presage and portend great Calamityes both to the East and the West, h. e. to the World in General. That some notable day of the Lord is at hand, when such Signs appear, we may believe: Hence are they called V. Melchior Jun Orat Par. 1. p. 425. Prodigia a Praeostendendo, because they shew before hand that something Remakable[Page]is a coming. Further then this I would not go about to determine; only we may modestly conjecture as to particular events like to happen. I have ever thought it unwarrantable, for men, not acted by an extraordinary Spirit, to make particular and positive determinations concerning the Judgements (or the Persons eminently concerned therein) by such Prodigies menaced. The great Melancthon hath been thought (by some great Voetius in Disp. de Sign. Authors) to proceed something too far in applications of this nature. Peucerus (Melancthon's Son in Law) expresseth himself more warily, in his Teratoscopia, or Discourse about Divination from fearful Sights. Yet he affirms that when ever great changes in the world have been near, prodigious Sights have been the forerunners thereof; and that unusual Sigh [...] are seldom or never known to have hapned without great and miseserable changes attending them. Only it is possible for particular Persons and places through faith in Christ, and in a way of humble Repentance, to obtain a lengthening out of their tranquility. The Gentiles of old Alexand. ab Alex. l. [...]. c. 27. Coelius Rodogi. l. 3. c. 27. when they beheld fearfull Sights in Heaven, would presently betake themselves to their Prayers and Piacular Sacrifices (in imitation of whom idolatrous Papists have been wont in like cases to go to their Reliques, Amulets, Processions, &c.) that so evils Ominated thereby, might (if possible) be averted. And shall not Professours of the true Religion, be awakened by such awful works of God, to go unto Jesus Christ (our only Sacrifice) and to pray earnestly that impending wrath may be removed, and the mercy of Heaven obtained? Shall we not be humbled, as for other Sins, so for that, of not hearkning to His VVord? The contempt [Page] whereof provoketh him to speak by fearful Sights and Signs from Heaven, which seems to be the Strigelius & Tossanus ad Locum. meaning of that Scripture, Act. 2.19. The Lord is many wayes calling upon men, to repent, and pray, and get into the Ark before the Flood come. Indeed we should not be dismayed at the Signs of Heaven, nevertheless (as that Emperor said) We ought to fear that God who hath made this bla [...]ing star. Surely, we have cause to speak, as sometimes the Psalmist did, My flesh trembles for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy Judgements.

Boston, N-E. Febr. 16. 1680. 1.

INCREASE MATHER.

Notes

(a)

‘Ab ultima antiquitatis memoria notatum est Cometas semper calamitatum praenuncios fuisse.

Cicer. de nat. Deor. Lib. 2.

’

— diri toties arsere Cometae.

Virg.

Et terris nunquam spectaclum impune Cometae.

Claudian.

—Quando nocte Co [...].

Sangiunei lugubre rubent. —

Information about this book

Title statement

Heaven's alarm to the world. Or A sermon, wherein is shewed, that fearful sights and signs in heaven, are the presages of great calamities at hand. Preached at the lecture of Boston in New-England; January, 20. 1680. / By Increase Mather.

Mather, Increase, 1639-1723.

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Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

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Date

2005-10.

ID [DLPS]

N00252

ID [TCP]

N00252

ID [STC]

Evans 320

ID [STC]

Evans 321

ID [STC]

Shipton 39220

ID [STC]

Wing M1219{WINGBREAK}M1218

ID [NOTIS]

APX2927

ID [IMAGE-SET]

320

ID [EVANS-CITATION]

99019680

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Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 320.Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 321.Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 39220.

Notes

(Evans-TCP ; no. N00252)

Transcribed from: (Readex Archive of Americana ; Early American Imprints, series I ; image set 320)

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— Heaven's alarm to the world. Or A sermon, wherein is shewed, that fearful sights and signs in heaven, are the presages of great calamities at hand. Preached at the lecture of Boston in New-England; January, 20. 1680. / By Increase Mather., Mather, Increase, 1639-1723., Mather, Increase, 1639-1723. Latter sign discoursed of.. The second impression. [Three lines from Revelation].

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[8], 38, [2], 32 p. ; (8vo)

Printed for Samuel Sewall. And are to be sold by Joseph Browning at the corner of the Prison-Lane next the town-house.,. Boston, in New-England, :: 1682.. (Also issued as part of: Mather, Increase. Kometographia. Or A discourse concerning comets ... Boston, 1683 (Evans 352).) (Signatures: A-E^8.) (Two states of the imprint noted. The first (Bristol B59; Shipton & Mooney 39220) reads 'by John Browning'; in the second (Evans 320) this is corrected to 'by Joseph Browning.') ("The latter sign discoursed of, in a sermon preached ... August, 31. 1682 ... by Increase Mather ..."--[2], 32 p. at end, with separate title page (Evans 321). Apparently not issued separately.)

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