N00528:223
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.
VIII. And now to have done; Let the Cold of the winter, very powerfully warm our hearts to shake of that SINFUL COLD, which has gained upon our Hearts. To Recover any Frozen part of the Body with safety, the way is to Rub it with Snow. Give me leave now to rub somewhat of the winter upon you, for the Recovery of your Frozen Souls. Indeed, There is a Coolness of Spirit, which would be the wisdom of the man that has it. So we read in Prov. 17. 27. A man of understanding i• of an Excellent Spirit: some read it, Of a Cool Spirit. It would indeed render us, The excellent in the earth, to have a Spirit free from those Heats which the most of men, are by provocations thrown into. A Cool Spirit, is a meek Spirit; and we should Labour for such a Spirit, not only under Afflictions from the Hand of God, but under Injuries from the Hand of Man also. Of such a Cool Spirit, was the Great Moses generally under all the Murmurings, the Reproaches, and the Froward Humours of his Congregation; and of such a Spirit, I am to tell you, Tis in the sight of God, of great Price. But then, There is a Coldness of Spirit, ⟨p. 74⟩against which we should be always Awake; and particularly, in the Cold of the winter be Awakened.
FIRST, There is the Cold of our FORMALITY, against which we should now fortify our Souls. Formality, lies in much Cold mixed with some Warmth; it lies in some Kindness for the Thing that Good is, over born with predominant Regards unto the world. This Lukewarmness, is that Abominable Indifferency about, The Kingdom of Heaven, whereat our Lord says of them that have it, I will spu•• the•• out of my mouth. But it is Required in Rom. 12. 11. Be Fervent in Spirit serving the Lord: It may be rendered, Be Boiling Hot, in it. There are some Wells that Boil all the year about, and that seem rather Hotter in the winter than in the rest of the year. Even so should it be with us, as to that principle within us which is, A well of water springing up to Everlasting Life. There is a Zeal, wherewith we should pursue all our Everlasting Interests; and as the Fire burns fiercest in the winter, so the Cold of the winter should be but adding fire unto our Zeal. Our other Occupations are interrupted by the winter; yea, but let us now, be more Lively than ever, in our Spiritual Husbandry, and in Ploughing up the allow Ground of our Hearts. Let us now be more Lively than ever, in our Spiritual Merchandise, and in Bartering for the Pearl of Great Price. Let us now, be more lively than ever, in our Spiritual Building; even, in Building up ourselves, & one another in our most Holy Faith.