N00528:192
Winter-meditations directions how to employ the leisure [sic] of the winter for the glory…Winter-meditations directions how to employ the liesure [sic] of the winter for the glory…
Winter-meditations directions how to employ the leisure [sic] of the winter for the glory of God. : Accompanied with reflections, as well historical, as theological, not only upon the circumstances of the winter, but also, upon the notable works of God, both in, creation, and providence: especially those, which more immediately concern every particular man, in the whole course of his life: and upon the religious works, wherewith every man should acknowledge God, in and from the accidents of the winter. / By Cotton Mather. ; With a preface of the Reverend, Mr. John Higginson.Winter-meditations directions how to employ the liesure [sic] of the winter for the glory of God. : Accompanied with reflections, as well historical, as theological, not only upon the circumstances of the winter, but also, upon the notable works of God, both in, creation, and providence: especially those, which more immediately concern every particular man, in the whole course of his life: and upon the religious works, wherewith every man should acknowledge God, in and from the accidents of the winter. / By Cotton Mather. ; With a preface of the Reverend, Mr. John Higginson.
Boston: printed by Benjamin Harris over-against the Old-Meeting-House, 1693
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.
But there have also been SMILING Works of God, which ought carefully to be Remembered with us. It was the Language of a David, in P••l.103. 2. Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all his Benefits. To Bless God, is not the least of the Duties, which the Ever Blessed God requires of man: and all true Davids or men Beloved by God, evermore Love to be Blessing of God. If this is to be done, At all times, as the Psalmist elsewhere speaks, I am sure it may eminently be done in Winter-times. But God is not Really Blessed or Served, if not Heartily; and in our Blessing of God, the thing is Done to Halves, if the whole Soul, or all the Powers of the Soul, be not engaged in it. Indeed such is our Backwardness, to the Blessing of God, that we had need earnestly to stir, and spur, and rouse ourselves unto the Doing of it. Let us then stir up ourselves, till we have got ourselves into an heat, at this work, in our Winter, and know that a Commemoration of Gods Benefits to us, is to be one Main Ingredient of Our Thanksgivings to Him.
But there have also been SMILING Works of God, which ought carefully to be Remembred with us. It was the Language of a David, in P••l.103. 2. Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all his Benefits. To Bless God, is not the least of the Duties, which the Ever Blessed God requires of man: and all true Davids or men Belov'd by God, evermore Love to be Blessing of God. If this is to be done, At all times, as the Psalmist elswhere speaks, I am sure it may eminently be done in Winter-times. But God is not Really Bless'd or Serv'd, if not Heartily; and in our Blessing of God, the thing is Done to Halves, if the whole Soul, or all the Powers of the Soul, be not engaged in it. Indeed such is our Backwardness, to the Blessing of God, that we had need earnestly to stir, and spur, and rouse ourselves unto the Doing of it. Let us then stir up ourselves, till we have got ourselves into an heat, at this work, in our Winter, and know that a Commemoration of Gods Benefits to us, is to be one Main Ingredient of Our Thanksgivings to Him.
Well then, Let this be one considerable Stroke of our Winter-work; even, To run over the Stories of our LIVES, by reckoning up the Benefits of God, and reflecting on that Goodness and Mercy, wherewith we have been followed all our