N00446:72
The triumphs of the reformed religion, in America. The life of the renowned John…
The triumphs of the reformed religion, in America. The life of the renowned John Eliot; a person justly famous in the church of God, not only as an eminent Christian, and an excellent Minister, among the English, but also, as a memorable evangelist among the Indians, of New-England; with some account concerning the late and strange success of the Gospel, in those parts of the world, which for many ages have lain buried in pagan ignorance. / Written by Cotton Mather. ; [Two lines from Luke]
Boston: printed by Benjamin Harris for Joseph Brunning i.e, 1691
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.
Thus Mr. […] thought that for Men to wear their Hair with a luxurious, Delicate, Feminine prolixity; or for them to preserve no plain Distinction of their Sex, by the Hair of their Head and Face; and much more for men thus to disfigure themselves with Hair that is None of their own; and most of all, for Ministers of the Gospel to ra•ste it in Excesses of this kind; may prove more than we are well aware displeasing to the Holy Spirit of God. The Hair of them that professed Religion long before his Death, grew too long for him to swallow; and he would express himself continually with a boiling zeal concerning it, until as last he gave over, with some Regret complaining ⟨p. 35⟩The Lust is become insuperable! I know not whether that horrible Distemper prevailing in some European Countries, known by the name of Plica polovica, wherein the Hair of people matted into ugly and filthy forms, like Snakes upon their heads, which whosoever cut off, presently fell blind or mad; I say, I know not whether this Disease was more odious in it self, than the sweeter, neater, but prolix Locks of many people were to our Eliot. He was indeed one priscis meribus, as well as Antiqua fide; and he might be allowed somewhat even of severity, in this matter on that account.
Thus Mr. 〈…〉 thought that for Men to wear their Hair with a luxurious, Delicate, Faeminine prolixity; or for them to preserve no plain Distinction of their Sex, by the Hair of their Head and Face; and much more for men thus to disfigure themselves with Hair that is None of their own; and most of all, for Ministers of the Gospel to ra•ste it in Excesses of this kind; may prove more than we are well aware displeasing to the Holy Spirit of God. The Hair of them that professed Religion long before his Death, grew too long for him to swallow; and he would express himself continually with a boiling zeal concerning it, until as last he gave over, with some Regret complaining ⟨p. 35⟩The Lust is become insuperable! I know not whether that horrible Distemper prevailing in some Europaean Countries, known by the name of Plica polovica, wherein the Hair of people matted into ugly and filthy forms, like Snakes upon their heads, which whosoever cut off, presently fell blind or mad; I say, I know not whether this Disease was more odious in it self, than the sweeter, neater, but prolix Locks of many people were to our Eliot. He was indeed one priscis meribus, as well as Antiqua fide; and he might be allow'd somewhat even of severity, in this matter on that account.