N00655:14
The way to excel. Meditations, awakened by the death of the Reverend Mr. Joshua…
The way to excel. Meditations, awakened by the death of the Reverend Mr. Joshua Moodey; with some short character of that eminent person: who slept in Jesus, 4d. 5.m. 1697. In the sixty fifth year of his age. / By Cotton Mather. ; [Six lines from Joshua]
printed by B. Green, 1697
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.
To preserve the Idea, and Memory, of his Face, as far as the Infirmities of this Mortal State permitted any Approaches to the Angelical Character in it, is that whereto not only Nature does Invite us, but also Scripture does oblige us: 'Twill be but a compliance with that Edict of Heaven, Remember them who have spoken to you, the Word of God; whose Faith follow, considering the End of their Conversation.
To praeserve the Idea, and Memory, of his Face, as far as the Infirmities of this Mortal State permitted any Approaches to the Angelical Character in it, is that whereto not only Nature does Invite us, but also Scripture does oblige us: 'Twill be but a compliance with that Edict of Heaven, Remember them who have spoken to you, the Word of God; whose Faith follow, considering the End of their Conversation.
'Tis well known, That among the chief Works of the Most High, Created by the Son of God, at the First Beginning of Time, there were His Good ANGELS: Angels, which are Spiritual and Rational Substances, Created by the Lord, for His own Immediate Service and Honour. None Deny, None Dispute, the Existence of those Good Angels, but men that are under a more than ordinary Possession of Evil Ones.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, has given it, as a Description of that Future State, wherein He will make us Happy for ever, Math. 22.30. They are as the Angels of God in Heaven. And if we Hope, to be Happy in that Future State, we must endeavour to Anticipate it, by being very Holy in our Present State. But the way for us, to be very Holy, is to Resemble, and Imitate, the Angels of God in Heaven, while we are on Earth, as far as we are able. Every Holy man does a Little of This; and how much of it, was done by that Holy man, who is now gone to Live, and Praise, and see CHRIST, among the Angels for ever, may be proposed with some Advantage unto the Exhortation, wherein I have a few Things to Preach unto the People.