Early piety, exemplified in the life and death of Mr. Nathanael Mather, who ...…

Some of these his Occasional Reflections I find in his private Papers; and one or two, for a taste, I will bespeak the Reader's acceptance of.

Jan. 8. A. M. Being about to rise, I felt the cold in a manner extraordinary; which inclined me to seek more warmth in my Bed before I rose; but so extreme was the cold, that this was not feasible: Wherefore I resolved to dress my self without any more ado; and so going to the Fire in my Clothes, I soon became warm enough. Turn this, O my Soul, into an useful Meditation. There is a necessity of my ⟨p. 41⟩rising out of my Bed, the Bed of Security which I am under the power of, and to live unto Christ, and to walk in the Light. In order hereunto, I must put on my poor Soul the Garments which are to be had from the Lord Jesus. To awaken me out of my sleep, and my security, I am to set before me the Sun, the Gospel of the Sun of righteousness doth enlighten my Mind, and tell me, that I was before muffled up in darkness; and that if I continued therein, I should starve and perish. I am also taught, That when Men are convinced of their miserable condition, they will rather endeavour to Ease, and comfort and cherish themselves by something in themselves, than put on the spiritual Garments which the Lord Jesus Christ has provided for them. An Evil to be by me avoided. Again, another time. Upon Water taken from the Fire, I saw a lukewarmness quickly seize; like the frame of Spirit, which many Pretenders to Religion have after a glorious and affectionate Profession of it. Of this ⟨p. 42⟩sort were some among the Laodiceans of old; which is exceedingly displeasing to the Lord Jesus Christ: Whence it is that he saith, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Let me endeavour to beware of this hateful and odious frame of Spirit; and let the contrary thereto be my desire, my endeavour. Once more. Among some Gentlemen that were sitting in a Room illuminated with a Candle, one beginning to read unto us, there was another Candle brought unto him, for his assistance in it. Which afforded me such a Meditation as this: That those who are to be Teachers of others, have need of as much light again as ordinary Christians have. They, if any, need a double Portion of the Gifts that are in other Men; and the helps of Knowledge that other Persons have, they much more should be furnished withal. It was not because they had better Eyes than him whose Office it was to Read, that they needed but one Candle, when he had two provided for him;