N00528:54
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.
And I will venture to say this more, That when the Corinthians prayed the Apostle, to answer that Question, Whether they might so be with, as to do like, the Pagans in those Idolatrous Festivities: He plainly told them, No! Deterring of them, with the Example of Israel in the Wilderness, who would keep a Feast in Honour of the true God, but yet followed the Egyptians, who in Commemoration of Joseph, saving them from Death by Expounding a Dream of Kine, had a sort of Ox-Worship among them: It is said, The People sat down to Eat and Drink, and Rose up to play; and all the World has heard, what the Reckoning was!
And I will venture to say this more, That when the Corinthians pray'd the Apostle, to answer that Question, Whether they might so be with, as to do like, the Pagans in those Idolatrous Festivities: He plainly told them, No! Deterring of them, with the Example of Israel in the Wilderness, who would keep a Feast in Honour of the true God, but yet follow'd the Egyptians, who in Commemoration of Joseph, saving them from Death by Expounding a Dream of Kine, had a sort of Ox-Worship among them: It is said, The People sat down to Eat and Drink, and Rose up to play; and all the World has heard, what the Reckening was!
But if the mispence of the Winter in Excesses ⟨p. 10⟩of Eating and of Drinking, do deserve a Caution, why should not the Mispence of the Winter in GAMING, do so too? Especially the Games of pure Lot, whereof thus much at least may be maintained, That •t is best for all Christians to abstain from them. Although' moderate Recreations in the Winter, are more than a little Healthful and Useful, yet there are some Recreations too much used in the Winter, which in Truth are never convenient; such are the Games of CARDS, & DICE, and those which have nothing but CHANCE to manage them. A Lot is a solemn Appeal unto the God of Heaven; and hence to play with it, seems to break the Third Commandment in the Laws of our God. Lus•ry Lots are by Great and Grave Divines Esteemed Unlawful, on the same Score that, as our worthy Morton, in his Rebuke to the Gaming Humour well Expresses it, It would be an Abomination unto any Christian, to see a Pulpit, a Communion-Table, a Font, Exposed on a Stage, or the Gestures of Worship Aped by Players. In every Lot, an Affair is wholly committed unto a Superior Cause than either Nature or Art, & Skill; and this is a Thing to be done rather Prayerfully than Sportfully; even the Rudest Gentiles have counted a Lot, A Sacred Thing. The Papists themselves, will not allow of these Games in Ecclesiastical Persons; and the Fathers Reproved them with a vehement Zeal, in all manner of persons. When the Roman Empire became Christian, severe Edicts were made against these Games; and what Christians are we then that