N00528:46
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.
[He seals up the Hand of every man] That is, By h••d Weather he binds up their Hands, from doing any Work abroad. But indeed, there are more than those who work […] with their Hands, that feel these Obstructions of the Winter. Wherefore the French Version, so carries it, Al•s faith que chacun see Renferme; that is, Then he makes every man shut himself up; and it is very Expressive.
[He seals up the Hand of every man] That is, By h••d Weather he binds up their Hands, from doing any Work abroad. But indeed, there are more than those who work 〈…〉 with their Hands, that feel these Obstructions of the Winter. Wherefore the French Version, so carrys it, Al•s fait que chacun se Renferme; that is, Then he makes every man shut himself up; and it is very Expressive.
There is an Impious Interpretation that some have made of these words; as if being, In manu ⟨p. 5⟩Omnium Hominum signa posuit, they countenanced, Chiromancy; a foolish and absurd Science, which pretends from the Lines in our Hands, to read the Fates of our Lives. As for that curious Vanity, I shall say but thus much of it; The Lines in our Hands, are mostly formed, by the Accidental Uses and Motions of our Hands; and may accordingly, by the like means be altered. Opinions about our future Circumstances and Contingencies, cannot be drawn to any purpose from these Lines, unless they be done merely by Impulse; and the Impulse, which has often darted many true Predictions into the Minds of Ungodly Fortune tellers, when they have been poring on the Hands of others, is ordinarily from some of the Demons, who are at Hand always to Encourage such Impieties; and of the Predictions which the Demons have thus perhaps Lit upon, but as probable Conjectures, they immediately Employ all their Interest, which in This world is very great, for the Accomplishment. Of the Divine Vengeance, leaving such wretched Fortune tellers unto the more than ordinary power of the Devil, we have in our own Land, lately seen most horrid Instances. Away then, with all such Diabolical Communions! Let us with a Christian Resignation, wait upon God, in a willing and a wholesome Ignorance of, The Secret Things which belong unto the Lord.