N00528:196
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.
Alas, Brethren, There is not one of us, but what are Descended from the ••oyns of many, that are now Roaring in the Place of Dragons! But as for us, we are Born in an Age of Light. Yea, 'Tis in the very Dawns of our Lords Coming to Destroy the Wicked One. I am verily persuaded, There are some already Born, who shall see the most Glorious Revolutions that ever happened in any former Ages; even, The Glorious Things that are spoken of Thee, O thou City of God! It is a privilege, To be Born so low, so far down in the Line of Time. To pass on,
Alas, Brethren, There is not one of us, but what are Descended from the ••oyns of many, that are now Roaring in the Place of Dragons! But as for us, we are Born in an Age of Light. Yea, 'Tis in the very Dawns of our Lords Coming to Destroy the Wicked One. I am verily perswaded, There are some already Born, who shall see the most Glorious Revolutions that ever happened in any former Ages; even, The Glorious Things that are spoken of Thee, O thou City of God! It is a priviledge, To be Born so low, so far down in the Line of Time. To pass on,
The THIRD Article in our Commemoration may be, The Benefits of God, relating to the FAMILY, which has given us our ORIGINAL, and our EDUCATION. What Parents have we had? perhaps we are not of the House of the Wicked, which has the Curse of God upon it; but in the Habitation of the Just, which is, Blessed by the Lord. We have had Parents, who have Prayed for us, before they had us; as Abraham, as Hannah, did for theirs. Yea, perhaps upon their first Apprehensions of our Conception, they did solemnly Give us up to God, that we might be for ever possessed by His Holy Spirit as the Everlasting Vessels of His Glory. But how much then have the Prayers of these our Parents been since concerned for us? And how Rich a Portion ⟨p. 52⟩have we had, in that Stock of Prayers? Little do Children think, what an Invaluable Blessing 'tis, to have Parents, that as Job, Sacrificed for his, according to the Number of them all, do pray for every one of them, and that by Name, every Day! But more than so; we have had Parents, that have Restrained us, when our Corrupt Natures would have been Exorbitant; not leaving us to be Children of Belial, with an Indulgence like that of Eli's. We have had Parents, that have Instructed us, and caused us to become well Catechised in the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ; with a Diligence, like that of David and Bathsheba, for their Solomon. We have had Parents, that have even, Travelled for us in Birth again, that Christ might be Formed in us. And what a Favour of Heaven, have we had in the Heavenly Exam plot of such Parents! They have shown us, The Path of Life, by their own Walking in that Path before our Eyes. Let us Imitate their Seriousness, their Prayerfulness, their Fruitfulness, their Holiness, their Watchfulness, and we shall at last, Arrive to lis, being therein Gathered unto our Fa theirs. Whereas, most of the Children in the World, have Parents, by whose Influence they, Go to the Generation of their Fathers, where they shall never see ight Yea, 'tis possible, that we have had Parents, who have Liberally brought us up by their Cost and Care, we have been Educated in the Sces, whereby we may be made singularly Serviceable to Mankind, singularly Honourable among our Neighbours. And I may add, That