N00595:51
Memoria Wilsoniana. Or, Some dues unto the memory of the truly Reverend & renowned…
Memoria Wilsoniana. Or, Some dues unto the memory of the truly Reverend & renowned Mr. John Wilson, the first Pastor of Boston: who expired August. 7. 1667. Aged, 79. Paid by Cotton Mather. ; [Two lines of Latin quotation]
Boston : Printed for and sold by Michael Perry, at his shop, under the west end of the Town-House, in Boston, in N.E., 1695
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
The Blessings Pronounced by Mr. Wilson, upon many Persons and Affairs, were observed so Prophetical, and especially his Death-bed Blessings upon his Children and Grand-children were so, that the most Considerable Persons in the Country, thought it not much, to come from far, and bring their Children with them, for the Enjoyment of his Patriarchal Benedictions. For which cause, Mr. Thomas Shepard, in an Elegy upon him, at his Death, Pathetically thus Expressed it; Whoso of Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Reads, Or of Elijah's or Elisha's Deeds, Would surely say, Their Spirit and Power was his, And think there were a Metempsychosis. As Aged John, th' Apostle used to Bless The People, which they Judged their Happiness, So did we count it worth our Pilgrimage Unto him for his Blessing, in his Age.
The Blessings Pronounced by Mr. Wilson, upon many Persons and Affayrs, were observed so Prophetical, and especially his Death-bed Blessings upon his Children and Grand-children were so, that the most Considerable Persons in the Countrey, thought it not much, to come from far, and bring their Children with them, for the Enjoyment of his Patriarchal Benedictions. For which cause, Mr. Thomas Shepard, in an Elegy upon him, at his Death, Pathetically thus Expressed it; Whoso of Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Reads, Or of Elijah's or Elisha's Deeds, Would surely say, Their Spirit and Power was his, And think there were a Metempsychosis. As Aged John, th' Apostle us'd to Bless The People, which they Judg'd their Happiness, So did we count it worth our Pilgrimage Unto him for his Blessing, in his Age.
These were Extraordinary Passages; Many of them, are Things, which Ordinary Christians may more safely Ponder, and Wonder, than Expect, in Our Days! Though sometimes Great Reformers, and Great Sufferers, must be Signalized with them. I know very well, what Livy sayes, Datur haec Venia Antiquitati, ut miscendo Humana Divinis, Primordia Urbium Augustiora faciat: but I have been far from Imposing the Least ⟨p. 37⟩Fable upon the World in Reporting such Extraordinary Passages of Mr. Wilson, or any other Great Confessor, by whom the Beginnings of this Country were made Illustrious; there are Witnesses Enough, yet Living, of them.