N00528:86
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.
Thirdly, There is an Hearty Admiration of God, wherewith we are to behold this works of PROVIDENCE; and for this also we have the Leisure of the winter. It is noted concerning the Wheels of Providence, in Ezek. 10. 12. The wheels were full of Eyes. When the winter comes about, in the wheel on the year, we should have our eyes open, and be full of eyes, to behold the motion of those wondrous wheels. The Governed of the World is maintained in the winter, as […] as all the rest of the year about; but we have in the Winter, more of Leisure, to behold the Spotless and Exact Administration of that Government. We behold many storms in the Winter; but it is then also a time to behold the Power and; Wisdom and Goodness of God, in managing all the Storms wherewithal the world is Ruffled, and causing them all to be subservient unto his own Designs and Interests. It is said in Psal. 107.43. Who so is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the Loving kindness of the Lord. There are Illustrious Dispensations, wherein the Almighty God acts as a Rewarder unto the children of men; and we shall be very well Rewarded for all the Confinements of the Winter, if we take our Leisure now to acquaint ⟨p. 24⟩our selves with such Dispensations: Our Confinement will become our Liberty! There are the Dispensations, of the Most High towards His People; His Protecting them, His Directing them, His Increasing them. When the Church of God, was Represented unto Moses, as a Burning Bush, it is said, He drew near to Behold the Sight. And when we are by our Fire-side in the Winter, we may have Liberty to Behold that Burning Bush. There are also the Dispensations of the Most High, towards His Enemies; His Confounding of them, His Destroying of them. The Winter was hardly out, when Israel Beheld the Great Work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: And we may then also Behold, how terribly Egyptians are punished by the Hand of God. When our Lord had been Talking with His Disciples, about those performances of Providence, wherein the Scriptures had Received their Accomplishment, they could say, in Luk. 24.32. Did not our Hearts then Burn within us? Why, when we are e'en ready to Freeze with the Vapours of the Winter, the Disciples of our Lord should then be Talking together, about His Doings in the World;