TO THE Present Enhabitants of Ancient Dedham, WHICH IS NOW DIVIDED INTO TEN TOWNS AND TWENTY-EIGHT RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES, THIS VOLUME OF SERMONS, COLLECTED AND PUBLISHED FOR THEIR USE, WITH A DESIRE TO PRESERVE THE HISTORY OF THis ancient CHURCH, TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF ITS WORTHY PASTORS, AND "TO BRING DOWN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS INTO THE CHILDREN,” IS RESPECTFULLY COMMENDED, BY THEIR FRIEND and servant, DEDHAM, MAY 1, 1840. E. BURGESS. NOTICE. THIS Volume contains a complete collection of the Sermons published by the Ministers of the First Church in Dedham from 1638 to 1800. It is a humble tribute to our successors, who may celebrate the next Centennial Anniversary in this church. As historical documents, they are of some value. As exhibiting the spirit and principles of the Fathers, with their style of preaching, they are precious memorials. In several of our early churches, as Plymouth, Salem, Charlestown, Boston, Cambridge, Roxbury and Dorchester, it would be easy to collect a volume, greater in extent and more rich in intrinsic worth. This hint may be useful. If this volume should contribute, in any degree, "to turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers," it will amply compensate for the labor and expense. To recover such documents from dust and oblivion is a task, which some future age will more justly appreciate. An Indian relic, which the ploughman covers with his furrow, will yet be gazed at with a curious eye. Centennial Discourses are now frequent. The settlement of colonies, the incorporation of towns, the institution of churches, and the occurrence of important events, are commemorated. Many facts are revived and authenticated, the providence of God is devoutly acknowledged, the progress of our country is registered, and a new impulse is given to our national patriotism. The publishing of this volume has been delayed, chiefly to supply a chasm in the first Discourse. A copy was found in a garret in Dedham, where it had probably slept a century, and another was found in Dover, both of which had lost the title page and a part of the introduction. This defect has at last been supplied by a copy, found among a mass of unassorted pamphlets in the garret of the Antiquarian Society's Library at Worcester, for which the compiler makes his respectful acknowledgment to the Librarian, S. F. Haven, Esq. The several Discourses are arranged in chronological order. The orthography is adapted to the present standard of our language, but the words and phrases are without alteration. A friend suggests that the notation of dates ought to be explained thus "21. 9. 1678," means 21st day of November, 1678, (as March was then the first month in the year.) It is no more than ordinary justice to allow writers, whether ancient or modern, to speak in their own way, without abridgment or change. And there are few words in this volume, which can be condemned as obsolete or provincial, or which cannot still appeal to the best standard of language-popular use. CONTENTS. Two Sermons: The Spouse of Christ, coming out of Affliction, leaning upon her Beloved; and The Lord Jesus, his Legacy of Peace, to arm his Disciples against Trouble and Fear. By MR. JOHN ALLIN. The former delivered at the Administration of the Lord's Supper, Augt. 6th, 1671, and the latter Augt. 13th, being the last that he preached before his death, The Necessity of the Pouring out of the Spirit from on High upon a Sinning Apostatizing People, set under Judgment, in order to their merciful Deliverance and Salvation. As it was delivered in part, upon 21. 9. 1678. Being a General Fast throughout the United God's Eye on the Contrite, or a Discourse showing that true poverty and contrition of spirit and trembling at God's word is the infallible and only way for the obtaining and retaining of Divine acceptation. As it was made in the audience of the General Assembly of the Massachusetts Colony at Boston in New England, May 27, 1685, being the day of Elec- tion there. By MR. WILLIAM ADAMS. The Singular Happiness of such Heads or Rulers, as are able to choose out their People's way, and will also endeavor their People's comfort: as it was discoursed in a Brief Sermon preached to the Great and General Assembly of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, convened at Boston in New England, on May 28, 1701. The stated day for their anniver- Two Sermons preached in Dedham, New England. The first on a day set apart for Prayer with Fasting, to implore spiritual blessings on the Rising Generation. The other (some time after) in private, to a considerable number of Young Persons in the aforesaid Town. The worst Enemy conquered. A Brief Discourse on the methods and motives to pursue a Victory over those Habits of Sin, which war against the Soul. Delivered on June 6, 1698, the day for election of Officers in the Artillery-Company, at Boston. By MR. JOSEPH God giveth the Increase. An Ordination Sermon, preached at Bristol, N. E. Aug. 30, 1721, when Mr. Nathanael Cotton was ordained the Pastor of the Church there. By JOSEPH Preface by Increase Mather. Conclusion of a Sermon, delivered at the Thursday Lecture in Boston, May 2, 1723, entitled "A Good Character, or a Walk with God characterized, with some dues paid unto the Memory of Mr. Joseph Belcher, the late Reverend and Excellent Pastor of Dedham, who A Call from the Dead to the Living. In a Sermon preached on occasion of the early and sur- prising, though comfortable death of Mr. Timothy Metcalf. By SAMUEL Dexter, M. A. 117 141 173 191 214 217 219 |