N00528:92
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.
Again, Know, That God is the SENDER of the Winter. 'Tis affirmed, in Job 37.9.10. Cold comes out of the North; by the Breath of God, •rest is given, and the Breadth of the Waters is straitened. When a Northern Winter is nipping of us, 'tis from an Edict of God, giving order for such a Season. It is God that sends Rain (and the Rest) upon the Earth. The Winterish Winds blow our Winter about our Ears; yea, but it is the Breath of God, that is the First Mover of all. There is much Dispute, what is the Primum Frigidum; whether Air, or Water, or Earth, or Nitre, or what? And some will Dispute whether there be any such Thing at all, or no. For if the Coldness of any thing signify no more, than its not having its Insensible Parts agitated so much as those of our Sensories by which we judge of Tactile Qualities; then to make a thing become cold, there needs no more than that the Sun or Fire, or some other Agent, that more vehemently Agitated its parts before, do now cease to do it. But he Cold a positive Quality, (which I incline to think) or a privative, still 'tis the Breath of God that gives Rise unto it. What the Centurion said about the Servants under His Command, I say to one, Come, and he comes; thus the Winter; 'tis our Great Sovereign who says to it, Come; and so the Winter comes.
Again, Know, That God is the SENDER of the Winter. 'Tis affirmed, in Job 37.9.10. Cold comes out of the North; by the Breath of God, •rest is given, and the Breadth of the Waters is straitned. When a Northern Winter is nipping of us, 'tis from an Edict of God, giving order for such a Season. It is God that sends Rain (and the Rest) upon the Earth. The Winterish Winds blow our Winter about our Ears; yea, but it is the Breath of God, that is the First Mover of all. There is much Dispute, what is the Primum Frigidum; whether Air, or Water, or Earth, or Nitre, or what? And some will Dispute whether there be any such Thing at all, or no. For if the Coldness of any thing signifie no more, than its not having its Insensible Parts agitated so much as those of our Sensories by which we judge of Tactile Qualities; then to make a thing become cold, there needs no more than that the Sun or Fire, or some other Agent, that more vehemently Agitated its parts before, do now cease to do it. But he Cold a positive Quality, (which I encline to think) or a privative, still 'tis the Breath of God that gives Rise unto it. What the Centurion said about the Servants under His Command, I say to one, Come, and he comes; thus the Winter; 'tis our Great Soveraign who says to it, Come; and so the Winter comes.