N00528:217
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.
In fine, Let us Get into our Hearts, an Heat of Love to God, that will carry us easily through' all the Cold of the Winter in the Serving of God. Of Love, 'tis said, in Cant. 8. 7. Many waters cannot quench Love, neither can the floods drown it. Of this Love, I may say, Many Winters cannot starve it, neither can the Frost Nip it. Said the Apostle, The Love of Christ constraineth us. Although' they that would suitably Serve God in the winter, must meet with many Difficulties; yet if we had this Love in us, that would Constrain us, to Go Freely through them all.
In fine, Let us Get into our Hearts, an Heat of Love to God, that will carry us easily thro' all the Cold of the Winter in the Serving of God. Of Love, 'tis said, in Cant. 8. 7. Many waters cannot quench Love, neither can the floods drown it. Of this Love, I may say, Many Winters cannot starve it, neither can the Frost Nip it. Said the Apostle, The Love of Christ constraineth us. Altho' they that would suitably Serve God in the winter, must meet with many Difficulties; yet if we had this Love in us, that would Constrain us, to Go Freely through them all.
VII. There are many works of CHARITY, whereto the Rigours and Horrors of a sharp winter, may sharpen our Inclinations; and we should then effectually Demonstrate our being thereto Inclined. There are those which are Emphatically called, GOOD WORKS; although' we have a Sealed Hand in the winter, yet we should not then have a close Fist, for such works as those. To Relieve and Support the Po•r, is the work of God; and Let us now Know, what it is to Do, as much as we can of that work. The charitable Job, could say, in chap. 30. 24. Was not my ⟨p. 70⟩Soul grieved for the Poor? Why, Although' we have an bundance of all things about us, yet our winters are very pinching and piercing Things unto us: well, but now Let us think on the Poor, that sit shivering over a Windows Fire! that are but thin clad, and worse […], and have those two Powerful Things, Winter and Poverty, at once falling, like Armed men upon them. O think on these Poor Ones, till our Souls are duly Grieved for them. Let not our Charity be as Cold as the winter; and Let none of us contribute unto the fulfilling of that Prophecy, in Mat, 24. 12. The Love of many shall wax cold. Yea, suppose our Charity were as cold as the water, yet Let it be like the water for this one thing more; the water in the winter will Expend and Extend it self unto almost an Eighth part of the Space it possessed before; and this with such a Force, as to Burst the very Substance of even Metalline Vessels, which would have kept it in. May nothing now Obstruct such a Spread of our Charity!