Winter meditations directions how to employ the leisure of the winter for the glory…

Having first Given your selves unto God in Christ, with Full purpose, To be for Him, and not for another, then Give your selves unto some Holy Society of His People, that Worship Him according to the Order of the Gospel. I pray, Let the Lord this winter, see you in His TEMPLE.

Yea, Whatever work we have to do for our Souls, Let not the Winter give any Supersedeas, to our Working out of our own Salvation. Jacob through the Love of Rachel, could Encounter more than a Little Winter, for more than One Seven Years together; said he, in Gen. 31.40. In the Day the Drought, and the Frost by Night consumed me. The sudden Changes from Heat unto Cold, like those in our own Country, it seems did sometime bring •a•ni•g Fevers and Agues upon the Patriarch! But shall not we be willing to do as much for our own Souls? O patiently undergo a Little Frost, for the sake of their Deliverance, from the Outer Darkness, where there is Gnashing of Teeth, for ever! Ecclesiastical History, has Embalmed the Memory of several Martyrs, who chose the Fiery Anguish of being Frozen unto Death, rather than they would Sin against God, and incur the Fire of Damnation. Methinks, 'twould Fire the Coldest Heart imaginable, to read the Elegant Orations of the Eloquent Ancients, in the Commendation of those Renowned Martyrs! And ⟨p. 69⟩shall we then think much sometimes to feel our selves a little Winterish, while we are doing the Things that must be done, for our Getting out of our Sin•, and for our Communion with that Lord who Saves His People from their Sins.

Yea, Whatever work we have to do for our Souls, Let not the VVinter give any Supersedeas, to our Working out of our own Salvation. Jacob thro the Love of Rachel, could Encounter more than a Little Winter, for more than One Seven Years together; said he, in