N00528:210
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.
VI. However it may be, as to the Works of our Particular Calling, yet as to the Works of our GENERAL CALLING, we should not let the Winter be our Hindrance. Although' we have a Sealed Hand, as to our Temporal Affairs in the Winter, yet let us not then Deal with a slack Hand, as to our Spiritual. There is a Work that we have to do, in the Winter as well as in the Summer; and it is the Work of God. Salvation-work, is to be no small share of our Winter•work. Our Winter Prayers must not be, our Coldest ones, tho' 'tis in a Cold Air that we make them. Our Cares to make our Vocation and Election sure, are not excused by the Winter; That must not cool them. Tho' the work of Laying in for the Winter, be over with us; yet the work of Laying in for Eternity is not over; that is to be done all the Winter Long. The Word of God, that is to be Read, and to be Heard, as well as Obeyed, now no Less than formerly. The Psalmist has joined those things, The Lord gives the Snow, the Frost, the Ice, and, He showed His Word unto Jacob. Truly, the Snow, the Frost, the Ice, may not hinder us from the minding of that Word. There is the work of Watching and Fighting against our Invisible Adversaries; and this is to be done as much in the Winter, as at any Time whatever. Other Wars are ordinarily intermitted in the Winter, ⟨p. 64⟩by the Armies then retiring to their Winter Quarters. But the Winter gives no Intermission unto these Wars of the Lord. In one of the Psalms, we read, The Dragons, joined with the Hail, and the Snow, and the Vapour whereof these are composed. Why, when the Vapours of the Winter are about our Ears, we shall still have, The Dragons, also to conflict withal. Tho' our other Snakes do all the Winter Lie Idle in their Holes, yet the Old Serpent, is as busy then as ever: and we should then be as vigilant against the Spirits, who go about Seeking whom they may Devour. God make us, like the Valiant Benajah, who slew a Lion in a Pit in a Snowy Day!
VI. However it may be, as to the Works of our Particular Calling, yet as to the Works of our GENERAL CALLING, we should not let the Winter be our Hindrance. Altho' we have a Seal'd Hand, as to our Temporal Affairs in the Winter, yet let us not then Deal with a slack Hand, as to our Spiritual. There is a Work that we have to do, in the Winter as well as in the Summer; and it is the Work of God. Salvation-work, is to be no small share of our Winter•work. Our Winter Prayers must not be, our Coldest ones, tho' 'tis in a Cold Air that we make them. Our Cares to make our Vocation and Election sure, are not excused by the Winter; That must not cool them. Tho' the work of Laying in for the Winter, be over with us; yet the work of Laying in for Eternity is not over; that is to be done all the Winter Long. The Word of God, that is to be Read, and to be Heard, as well as Obey'd, now no Less than formerly. The Psalmist has joyned those things, The Lord gives the Snow, the Frost, the Ice, and, Hee shewed His Word unto Jacob. Truly, the Snow, the Frost, the Ice, may not hinder us from the minding of that Word. There is the work of Watching and Fighting against our Invisible Adversaries; and this is to be done as much in the Winter, as at any Time whatever. Other Wars are ordinarily intermitted in the Winter,