N00569:9
Early religion. Urged in a sermon. the duties, wherein, and the reasons wherefore, young…
Early religion. Urged in a sermon. the duties, wherein, and the reasons wherefore, young people should become religious. Whereto are added, the extracts of several papers, written by several persons, who are dying in their youth, left behind them those admonitions for the young survivors; with brief memoirs relating to the exemplary lives of some such, that have gone from hence to their everlasting rest. / By Cotton Mather. ; [Two lines of Scripture text]Early religion. Urged in a sermon. the duties, wherein, and the reasons wherefore, young people should become religious. Whereto are added, the extracts of several papers, written by several persons, who are dying in their youth, left behind them those admonitions for the young survivers; with brief memoirs relating to the exemplary lives of some such, that have gone from hence to their everlasting rest. / By Cotton Mather. ; [Two lines of Scripture text]
Boston: printed by B.H. i.e for Michael Perry, 1694
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.
On a Day of PRAYER, kept by the Congregation at •eading, for the Success of the Gospel, on the Hearts of the Young in that Congregation. Anno 1693.
IT was the Gracious and Savoury Speech uttered by One of the Greatest Personages in England, and perhaps in all Europe, unto a Grave Minister; I have (said he) passed thro• many •laces of Honour and Trust, both in Church and State, more than any of my Order in England, for Seventy Years before. But were I assured, that by my Preaching I had Converted but one Soul unto God, I should therein take more Comfort, than in all the Honours and Offices that have ever been bestowed upon me. Yea, 'Twas the Speech of a much Greater than he, He that Winneth Souls is wise. And indeed, a true Minister of the Gospel, can have no Joy equal unto that of seeing the Conversion of his people unto God! But if the Conversion of any among our people, more than others, would give Joy unto us, 'tis our Young People ⟨p. 2⟩whose Turn to God, we should behold with most of Satisfaction. To win one of those, is both Argument and Apology sufficient, for the most vigorous Essays of our Ministry. For my own part, I observe the Generation, whereto I do my self belong, advancing very far into the Affairs of the World; But I also observe, the dreadful Plagues of Heaven making a most Lamentable Havoc of this my poor Generation. Upon this Observation, what better thing is there to be done for this Generation, then persuasively to Recommend unto them, that Religion, the want whereof does not only Unfit them for the Action expected from them, but also Expose them to the Judgments of a Righteous and a Terrible GOD? Wherefore, although I have many a time already made the most public Addresses, that I could, unto the Young People of my Country, I am willing now at an Age thus far Extending, to conclude my own Youth, with one Affectionate Endeavour more, That they may know the Things of their Peace i• this their Day. And among other things •hat give Countenance unto such an Undertaking, Let me particularly mention the Example of Jonathans Expedition, wherein we have one Young Man calling upon another, to do Service for God and their Generation.