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

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 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.