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

There were especially two Calamities which he had a fore-boding of, Dismal Pain, and Early Death. As for his Pain, he was it seems to undergo exquisite Anguishes, ⟨p. 51⟩for many Months before his Dissolution; but before ever it came upon him, how strangely did he fortify himself against it! He said in his Diary some Years before he left the World,

There were especially two Calamities which he had a fore-boding of, Dismal Pain, and Early Death. As for his Pain, he was it seems to undergo exquisite Anguishes, ⟨p. 51⟩for many Months before his Dissolution; but before ever it came upon him, how strangely did he fortifie himself against it! He said in his Diary some Years before he left the World,

Sept. 2. I had not in the morning time enough for solemn Meditation: Great deadness and dullness was in my Heart, as to Spiritual Thoughts afterwards; the Reason was, because I did not perform my solemn Meditation as I should. I had now apprehensions that I must undergo sore Trials, and Conflicts, and great Afflictions. Wherefore it did highly become me to get as great a measure of Grace, as the opportunities which I enjoy may afford, and therefore I purpose to be more serious in my Meditations, not omitting other Duties therewithal. I see my Resolutions must every day be renewed, as to great diligence in my serving God. And since I must expect great Afflictions, I must make it my daily work by solemn Meditation to go over the whole ⟨p. 52⟩Body of Christianity, and particularly to have daily Thoughts on the Condescension of Jesus Christ: I must also endeavour to get a large measure of sanctified knowledge; wherefore, First, There is need of Earnest Prayer; and Secondly, Of very holy walking. Thirdly, Of entertaining the Truth with greatest Affection; and Fourthly, Looking on it as it is in Jesus; and Fifthly, Solemn Meditation; and Sixthly, Much Reading; and Seventhly, Living upon the Truths which I know, and Thankfulness for the Knowledge which I have already. And at another time there was this written in his Diary. This Morning I meditated about a part of Self-denial; Namely, the denial of Bodily Health, and of ease from Torment. My Resolution was, that it was better to part herewithall, than to sin. I hope there is a thorough purpose in my