Early piety, exemplified in the life and death of Mr. Nathanael Mather, who ...…
Early piety, exemplified in the life and death of Mr. Nathanael Mather, who ... changed earth for heaven, Oct. 17. 1688 whereto are added some discourses on the true nature, the great reward, and the best season of such a walk with God as he left a pattern of.
Cotton Mather 1663–1728London: printed by J. Astwood for John Dunton, 1689
[14], 60 [i.e. 62], [2], 86 p. · 32k words · Wing M1097A · ESTC R20873
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This Year did not roll about, before he had in a manner very solemn entered in to Covenant with God. This weighty and awful thing was not rashly done by him, or in a sudden Flash and Pang of Devotion: He Thought, he Read, he Wrote, and he Prayed not a little before this Glorious Transaction between God and him, and upon Mature Deliberation, he judged it most advisable for him to make his Covenant with God as Explicit as Writing and Signing could render it; that so it might leave the more Impression upon his Heart and Life, and be an Evidence likewise, which in Temptation or Desertion he might have recourse unto: Wherefore he set apart a Time for (I think) secret Fasting and Prayer before the Lord, and then behold how this Young Man counting it high time for him to be bound out unto some Service, took a course for it: He subscribed an holy Covenant, of which this was the Matter, this the Form.
This Year did not roll about, before he had in a manner very solemn entred in to Covenant with God. This weighty and awful thing was not rashly done by him, or in a sudden Flash and Pang of Devotion: He Thought, he Read, he Wrote, and he Prayed not a little before this Glorious Transaction between God and him, and upon Mature Deliberation, he judged it most adviseable for him to make his Covenant with God as Explicit as Writing and Signing could render it; that so it might leave the more Impression upon his Heart and Life, and be an Evidence likewise, which in Temptation or Desertion he might have recourse unto: Wherefore he set apart a Time for (I think) secret Fasting and Prayer before the Lord, and then behold how this Young Man counting it high time for him to be bound out unto some Service, took a course for it: He subscribed an holy Covenant, of which this was the Matter, this the Form.
Soul, renewed; confirmed, and signed, Nov. 22. 1683.
Whereas not only the Commands of God, [who hath often called upon me, by his Word Preached, to give up my self, both Body and Soul, to be at his Disposal, which calls by the public Ministry, were enough to engage me unto this] but also the Christian Religion which I profess, and my Baptism in which I took the Lord to be my God, and promised to Renounce the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, and to dedicate my self unto the Service, Work, and Will of God, do bind me hereunto; In that God is such a God as deserves this, yea infinitely more than this, at my hands; my Creator, the Fountain of my Being; my Preserver, my Benefactor, my Lord, my Sovereign, my Judge; He in whose Hands my Life, my Breath, and all my concerns are; He that doth protect me from all Dangers, and supply me in all wants, support me under all Burdens, and direct me in all straits; He alone that can make me happy or miserable; He alone that can save me or damn me; He alone that can give inward Peace and Joy, that is my Friend, my God; In that, Self-Dedication
⟨p. 16⟩
is the Creatures Advancement▪ these First-fruits, if in Sincerity, putting upon me a Gloriousness and Excellency.
In that Felicity hereafter depends upon my dedicating of my self unto God now.
In that this is the highest piece of Gratitude I am capable of expressing unto God, and I know no better way to Obey the Will of God, than first to give up my self unto him.
And whereas the Mercies which the Lord hath been pleased graciously to bestow upon me, are so many, that even bare Morality, doth show me that I can never enough requite one that hath done so much for me, except by giving up my self wholly to him.
[1669] Whereas God hath given me a Godly Father and Mother.
[1674] In that when I was like to dye, being twice sick of a Fever, God was pleased to bless means for my Recovery, and lengthen out the Thread of my Life▪
[1675] Whereas, when I by an Accident fell down, and had like to have been deprived
⟨p. 17⟩
of the use of my Tongue, God was in his good Providence graciously pleased to give me the use of it.
[1678]
Whereas, when I was sick of the Small-Pox, God was pleased to bless means for my Recovery.
The Covenrnt between God and my ⟨p. 15⟩Soul, renewed; confirmed, and signed, Nov. 22. 1683.
Whereas not only the Commands of God, [who hath often called upon me, by his Word Preached, to give up my self, both Body and Soul, to be at his Disposal, which calls by the publick Ministry, were enough to engage me unto this] but also the Christian Religion which I profess, and my Baptism in which I took the Lord to be my God, and promised to Renounce the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, and to dedicate my self unto the Service, Work, and Will of God, do bind me hereunto; In that God is such a God as deserves this, yea infinitely more than this, at my hands; my Creator, the Fountain of my Being; my Preserver, my Benefactor, my Lord, my Soveraign, my Judge; He in whose Hands my Life, my Breath, and all my concerns are; He that doth protect me from all Dangers, and supply me in all wants, support me under all Burdens, and direct me in all streights; He alone that can make me happy or miserable; He alone that can save me or damn me; He alone that can give inward Peace and Joy, that is my Friend, my God; In that, Self-Dedication ⟨p. 16⟩is the Creatures Advancement▪ these First-fruits, if in Sincerity, putting upon me a Gloriousness and Excellency.
In that Felicity hereafter depends upon my dedicating of my self unto God now.
In that this is the highest piec• of Gratitude I am capable of expressing unto God, and I know no better way to Obey the Will of God, than first to give up my self unto him.
And whereas the Mercies which the Lord hath been pleased graciously to bestow upon me, are so many, that even bare Morality, doth shew me that I can never enough requite one that hath done so much for me, except by giving up my self wholly to him.
[1669] Whereas God hath given me a Godly Father and Mother.
[1674] In that when I was like to dye, being twice sick of a Feaver, God was pleased to bless means for my Recovery, and lengthen out the Thread of my Life▪
[1675] Whereas, when I by an Accident fell down, and had like to have been deprived ⟨p. 17⟩of the use of my Tongue, God was in his good Providence graciously pleased to give me the use of it.
[1678]
Whereas, when I was sick of the Small-Pox, God was pleased to bless means for my Recovery.
Whereas, then I made Promises unto God, that if he would give me my Health, I would endeavour to become a New Creature, and he hath done so for these five Years: And whereas God hath of late been bestowing many and wonderful mercies upon me, What can I do less than give up my self wholly to him?
Which now I do.
And, O Lord God, I beseech thee to accept of thy Poor Prodigal, now prostrating of himself before thee. I confess, O Lord, I have fallen from thee by my Iniquity, and am by nature a Son of Hell; but of thy Infinite Grace thou hast promised Mercy to me in Christ, if I will but turn unto thee with all my Heart: Therefore upon the Call of thy Gospel, I come in, and from the bottom of my Heart I renounce all thy Enemies; with whom I confess I have wickedly sided against thee, firmly ⟨p. 18⟩Covenanting with thee, not to allo• my self in any known Sin, but conscientiously to use all means which • know thou hast prescribed, for the u•ter destruction of all my Corruptions.
And whereas I have inordinately I out my Affections upon the World, here resign my Heart unto thee th•• made it; humbly Protesting before t•• Glorious Majesty, that it is the fin• Resolution of my Heart (and that I […] unfeignedly desire Grace from thee, th•• when thou shalt call me thereunto, • may put in practice my Resolution through thine Assistance, to forsake […] that is dear unto me in the World, rather than to turn from thee to t•• ways of sin; and that I will watch again all it's Temptations, whether of Prosperty or Adversity, lest they should withdraw my Heart from thee, beseechi•• thee to help me.
I renounce all my own Righteousness and acknowledge that of my self I a• helpless and undone, and without Righteousness.
And whereas, of thy bottomless Mercy, thou hast offered to accept of […] and to be reconciled to me, and […] be my God, through Christ, if I woul•⟨p. 19⟩accept of thee, I do this day avouch thee to be the Lord my God. I do here take the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for my portion and chief Good, and do give up my self Body and Soul for thy Servant, promising to endeavour to serve thee in Righteousness and Holiness. I do here also on the bended knees of my Soul, accept of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only and living Way, by which sinners may have access to thee, and do here join my self in a Marriage-Covenant with him.
Whereas, then I made Promises unto God, that if he would give me my Health, I would endeavour to become a New Creature, and he hath done so for these five Years: And whereas God hath of late been bestowing many and wonderful mercies upon me, What can I do less than give up my self wholly to him?
Which now I do.
And, O Lord God, I beseech thee to accept of thy Poor Prodigal, now prostrating of himself before thee. I confess, O Lord, I have fallen from thee by my Iniquity, and am by nature a Son of Hell; but of thy Infinite Grace thou hast promised Mercy to me in Christ, if I will but turn unto thee with all my Heart: Therefore upon the Call of thy Gospel, I come in, and from the bottom of my Heart I renounce all thy Enemies; with whom I confess I have wickedly sided against thee, firmly ⟨p. 18⟩Covenanting with thee, not to allo• my self in any known Sin, but co•scientiously to use all means which • know thou hast prescribed, for the u•ter destruction of all my Corruptions.
And whereas I have inordinately I out my Affections upon the World, here resign my Heart unto thee th•• made it; humbly Protesting before t•• Glorious Majesty, that it is the fin• Resolution of my Heart (and that I 〈…〉 unfeignedly desire Grace from thee, th•• when thou shalt call me thereunto, • may put in practice my Resolution through thine Assistance, to forsake 〈…〉 that is dear unto me in the World, r•ther than to turn from thee to t•• ways of sin; and that I will watch again• all it's Temptations, whether of Prosperty or Adversity, lest they should wit•draw my Heart from thee, beseechi•• thee to help me.
I renounce all my own Righteousnes• and acknowledge that of my self I a• helpless and undone, and without Rig•teousness.
And whereas, of thy bottomless Mercy, thou hast offer'd to accept of and to be reconciled to me, and be my God, through Christ, if I woul
O Lord Jesus, I come to thee, hungry, poor, miserable, blind, and naked, and a most loathsome Creature, a condemned Malefactor: Who am I, that I should be Married unto the King of Glory!
I do accept of thee for my Head and Husband, and embrace thee in all thy Offices. I renounce my own Worthiness, and do choose thee the Lord my Righteousness. I do renounce my own Wisdom, and do take thine for my Guide. I take thy Will for my Will, and thy Word for my Law. I do here willingly put my Neck under thy Yoke; I do subscribe to all thy Laws as Holy, Just, and Good; and do promise to take them ⟨p. 20⟩as the Rule of my Thoughts, Words, a• Actions; but because I am subject […] many failings, through frailty; I do he• protest, here before thee, that unallo•ed miscarriages, contrary to the consta• bent of my Heart, shall not disan•• this everlasting Covenant.
Nathanael Mathe•
O Lord Jesus, I come to thee, hungry, poor, miserable, blind, and naked, and a most loathsome Creature, a condemned Malefactor: Who am I, that I should be Married unto the King of Glory!
I do accept of thee for my Head and Husband, and embrace thee in all thy Offices. I renounce my own Worthiness, and do choose thee the Lord my Righteousness. I do renounce my own Wisdom, and do take thine for my Guide. I take thy Will for my Will, and thy Word for my Law. I do here willingly put my Neck under thy Yoke; I do subscribe to all thy Laws as Holy, Just, and Good; and do promise to take them ⟨p. 20⟩as the Rule of my Thoughts, Words, a• Actions; but because I am subject 〈…〉 many failings, through frailty; I do he• protest, here before thee, that unallo•ed miscarriages, contrary to the consta• bent of my Heart, shall not disan•• this everlasting Covenant.
Nathanael Mathe•
It may justly be taken for granted, th• such a work as this, would have an influence into his Conversation afterwards and so it had, producing in him, a Conversation which became the Gospel of Christ. H• kept waiting upon God, not only in t•• Family, but also under the Ministry of t•• that were near a-Kin unto him; namely his Father and his Brother, whereby th• Grace thus begun in him was not a little cherished and promoted: And unt• all known sins he now kept saying, as• find once in Short-hand written by him.
It may justly be taken for granted, th• such a work as this, would have an infl•ence into his Conversation afterwards and so it had, producing in him, a Conve•sation which became the Gospel of Christ. H• kept waiting upon God, not only in t•• Family, but also under the Ministry of t•• that were near a-Kinn unto him; namely his Father and his Brother, whereby th• Grace thus begun in him was not a li•tle cherished and promoted: And unt• all known sins he now kept saying, as• find once in Short-hand written by him.
To my Lusts.
I have had Communion with you all th•• while, but I dare not have so any longer Wherefore I renounce all Communion with y•• any more; I will cleave to the God that made m•
But a Year or two after this, it was wit• him, as I have observed it is too commonly ⟨p. 21⟩with such as are Converted betimes unto God. An unhappy gradual Apostasy carried him aside from those degrees of seriousness and intenseness in divine things, which he had been used unto: 'Tis possible an entanglement in a Familiarity with some that were no better than they should be, did abate of the good savour which had been upon him, and decoy him by insensible steps to some vanities (tho' not to any scandalous immoralities) that were disadvantageous to him. For divers Months he seemed somewhat, yet not totally, much less finally, forsaken of that Wisdom and Virtue which he had before been an example of; but the good Spirit of God will not let go his Interest in a Soul of which he hath taken a saving hold. This Young Man soon entertained just resentments of his own declensions, and it was impossible for the most Badger-toothed malice in the World to aggravate any of his Errors half so much as he did himself in his own Repentance for them. In the Year 1685. God visited him with sore Terrors and Horrors in his wounded Soul, the anguish whereof he thought intolerable; yet he made not his condition known to any Body all the while. He could say, My ⟨p. 22⟩complaint is not to man, but he made it unto the Lord; This poor man cried and the Lord heard, and delivered him out of his distresses. He arrived in time unto some settlement and renewal of his Peace with God: He confessed and bewailed his own sins before the Lord, and declared his detestation of them, and applied himself unto the Lord Jesus Christ for Salvation from them all. Good terms being thus established between the Almighty Lord and this Immortal Soul, he maintained, I think, a constant and an even Walk with God, until he dyed. I find now that Language in his MSS: Let me be as active a Servant of Christ, as I was of Satan heretofore. For more than the three last years of his Life, he lived at a strange rate for Holiness and Gravity▪ and retired Devotions. He read Mr. Scudders Christians daily walk, and Dr. Owen of Spiritual Mindedness, and had a restless raging Agony in his Mind unti• the Methods of Religion advised by those worthy Men, were Exemplified in his own Behaviour. 'Tis a note in one o• his Diaries,
But a Year or two after this, it was wit• him, as I have observed it is too commonly ⟨p. 21⟩with such as are Converted betimes unto God. An unhappy gradual Apostacy carried him aside from those degrees of seriousness and intenseness in divine things, which he had been used unto: 'Tis possible an entanglement in a Familiarity with some that were no better than they should be, did abate of the good savour which had been upon him, and decoy him by insensible steps to some vanities (tho' not to any scandalous immoralities) that were disadvantageous to him. For divers Months he seemed somewhat, yet not totally, much less finally, forsaken of that Wisdom and Vertue which he had before been an example of; but the good Spirit of God will not let go his Interest in a Soul of which he hath taken a saving hold. This Young Man soon entertained just resentments of his own declensions, and it was impossible for the most Badger-tooth'd malice in the World to aggravate any of his Errors half so much as he did himself in his own Repentance for them. In the Year 1685. God visited him with sore Terrors and Horrors in his wounded Soul, the anguish whereof he thought intolerable; yet he made not his condition known to any Body all the while. He could say, My ⟨p. 22⟩complaint is not to man, but he made it unto the Lord; This poor man cryed and the Lord heard, and delivered him out of his distresses. He arrived in time unto some settlement and renewal of his Peace with God: He confessed and bewailed his own sins before the Lord, and declared his detestation of them, and applyed himself unto the Lord Jesus Christ for Salvation from them all. Good terms being thus establish't between the Almighty Lord and this Immortal Soul, he maintained, I think, a constant and an even Walk with God, until he dyed. I find now that Language in his MSS: Let me be as active a Servant of Christ, as I was of Satan heretofore. For more than the three last years of his Life, he lived at a strange rate for Holiness and Gravity▪ and retired Devotions. He read Mr. Scudders Christians daily walk, and Dr. Owen of Spiritual Mindedness, and had a restless raging Agony in his Mind unti• the Methods of Religion advised by thos• worthy Men, were Exemplified in his own Behaviour. 'Tis a note in one o• his Diaries,
O my great unprofitableness under th• means of Grace! I have cause to bless God for ever for the Writings of that never ⟨p. 23⟩enough to be admired and loved by me, Dr. Reynolds, and for the Light I have received thereby, concerning the sinfulness of Sin; as also that excellent Book of him whom I shall always honour, Dr. Owen of Spiritual-mindedness, and Mr. Scudders Christians daily Walk, by which three Books I have profited more than by any other (S. Scripturis exceptis) in the World.
He was at first surprised, at the measure of Spiritual-mindedness, without which that great Saint, Dr. Owen! apprehends the Life and Peace of Souls to labour under prejudice; and he thought a Mind swallowed up in such Heavenly Frames and Works as were needful thereunto, almost wholly to be despaired of; until (as himself a few hours before he dyed said unto me) he deemed he saw an Instance of such a Walk with God, not very far from the place of his abode: To which purpose his reserved Papers have a large Discourse, of which this is in the Conclusion: There might be a greater Progress in Religion, than is commonly thought for. What have I Examples for, but to imitate them? Abraham is famed for believing so strongly, when he had no Example before ⟨p. 24⟩him: Let me try and see, whether I having such opportunities may not arrive to as high a pitch in Christianity, as any that I have known. He then in the strength and through the Love of God set himself into a way of strict, secret, laborious Devotion whereby though none but God and He filled the Theatre, which he acted upon, he would be in the Fear of the Lord all the day long. He withdrew from the delight of this World, and gave himself up to an assiduous Contemplation of God and Christ, and a sedulous endeavour after utmost conformity unto him: Thus […] kept abounding in the Work of the Lord until three Years of wonderful Holiness had ripened him for eternal Happiness.
He was at first surprized, at the measure of Spiritual-mindedness, without which that great Saint, Dr. Owen! apprehends the Life and Peace of Souls to labour under prejudice; and he thought a Mind swallowed up in such Heavenly Frames and Works as were needful thereunto, almost wholly to be despair'd of; until (as himself a few hours before he dyed said unto me) he deem'd he saw an Instance of such a Walk with God, not very far from the place of his abode: To which purpose his reserv'd Papers have a large Discourse, of which this is in the Conclusion: There might be a greater Progress in Religion, than is commonly thought for. What have I Examples for, but to imitate them? Abraham is fam'd for believing so strongly, when he had no Example before ⟨p. 24⟩him: Let me try and see, whether I having such opportunities may not arrive to as high a pitch in Christianity, as any that I have known. He then in the strength and thrô the Love of God set himself into a vvay of strict, secret, laborious Devotion vvhereby thô none but God and He fill'd the Theatre, vvhich he acted upon, he vvould be in the Fear of the Lord all the day long. He withdrew from the delight of this World, and gave himself up to an assiduous Contemplation of God and Christ, and a sedulous endeavour after utmost conformity unto him: Thus 〈…〉 kept abounding in the Work of the Lord until three Years of wonderful Holiness had ripened him for eternal Happiness.
First, He was one that walked by RULE He was very Studious to learn the wa• of conversing with God in every Duty and there was a Rule which he attended still unto.
First, He was one that walked by RƲLE He was very Studious to learn the wa• of conversing with God in every Duty and there vvas a Rule which he attended still unto.
In his private Papers, I find a wi•• Collection of Rules, by which he governed himself in the several Duties of Christianity, ⟨p. 25⟩and in all the Seasons and Stations of his Life. He consulted the best Authors for Instruction in the Affairs of practical Religion, and not into Paper only, but into Action to be transcribed what he most approved; in all which The Will of God was the bright Pole-Star by which he steered his Course.
In his private Papers, I find a wi•• Collection of Rules, by which he gover•ed himself in the several Duties of Chr•stianity, ⟨p. 25⟩and in all the Seasons and Stations of his Life. He consulted the best Authors for Instruction in the Affairs of practical Religion, and not into Paper only, but into Action to be transcribed what he most approved; in all which The Will of God was the bright Pole-Star by which he steer'd his Course.
Another of them was formed into an• Hymn, the singing of which might produce fresher and stronger Efforts of Sou• towards the thing that is good.
Another of them was form'd into an• Hymn, the singing of which might produce fresher and stronger Efforts of Sou• towards the thing that is good.
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⟨p. 12⟩
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⟨p. 19⟩
accept of thee, I do this day avouch thee to be the Lord my God. I do here take the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for my portion and chief Good, and do give up my self Body and Soul for thy Servant, promising to endeavour to serve thee in Righteousness and Holiness. I do here also on the bended knees of my Soul, accept of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only and living Way, by which sinners may have access to thee, and do here joyn my self in a Marriage-Covenant with him.
