N00528:232
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.
Frigore qui noctis fervet Calefactus & Umbris, At Solis friget Radijs Glacialis et Igni.
'Tis Cold at High Noon, & Warm at Midnight.
And then, sure they that are already come to Old Age, had need make sure of Conversion, before it become altogether too late, hopeless, helpless, & unattainable. My Fathers, you are now got into the winter of your Lives; Old Age begins to Snow upon your heads; & your whole face, is that of the earth in winter. The Jews generally interred their Dead under an Oak: see 1 Sam. 21. 1•.] pleased perhaps with some such parallel as this; that as the Tree seemingly dead in the winter, had every Spring an Annual ⟨p. 80⟩and Notable Resurrection, so the Dry Bones of men, shall have a new Sap of Life infused into them, at the Day of Judgment. Indeed, you that are under the Decays of Age, are like the Tree casting of its Leaves in Autumn, every thing is now apace dying with you every day; you•• wither, till your being sunk into the ground make it a perfect winter with you, You shall have a Resurrection; but O tis high Time for you, to gain a good Assurance, that it shall be, The Resurrection of Life, and not, The Resurrection of Damnation; in a word, That nothing may succeed but An Eternal Spring. The Philosopher said, Before Old Age, my care was to L•ve well; but now under Old Age, my care is to Die well Truly, Now winter is come, you have nothing else to take any Care about. If you have not in all this while, Secured a Saving Interest in the Lord Jesus Christ, or if you are not yet Purged from your old Sins, most horrid and monstrous has been your Impenitency! And yet I am to tell you a very Glorious Thing; That Interest may still be Secured. There was once a pretty Old man in some Distress, and it is said, in