N00655:17
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.
But my Exhortation must be introduced, with a Report of that Glory, which the Martyr Stephen, while he was yet on Earth, attained unto.
But my Exhortation must be introduced, with a Report of that Glory, which the Martyr Stephen, while he was yet on Earth, attain'd unto.
There being occasion to choose Deacons in the Primitive Church, that so they who were to give themselves continually unto the Ministry of ⟨p. 7⟩the Word, might be Released, by the faithful Cares of those Deacons, from Secular Encumbrances; One of them was the Blessed Stephen; who being the First that arrived unto the Crown of Martyrdom for our Lord Jesus Christ, in the New-Testament, had in the Name of Stephen, which signifies, A Crown, a notable Specification, of the Event and Reward, which will attend all our Sufferings for the Lord.
There being occasion to choose Deacons in the Primitive Church, that so they who were to give themselves continually unto the Ministry of ⟨p. 7⟩the Word, might be Released, by the faithful Cares of those Deacons, from Secular Encumbrances; One of them was the Blessed Stephen; who being the First that arriv'd unto the Crown of Martyrdome for our Lord Jesus Christ, in the New-Testament, had in the Name of Stephen, which signifies, A Crown, a notable Specification, of the Event and Reward, which will attend all our Sufferings for the Lord.
It was then an Age of many Miracles wrought by the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ; and such a measure of that Spirit, possessed this Excellent man, that by the Impulse of that Spirit, He could, with all Assurance, perceive when the Spirit was going to work Miracles, and apply himself to accompany the Miracles of the Spirit, by some wonderful Actions of his own. This Illustrious Worker of Miracles, was Accused before the Council at Jerusalem, for saying, That it was the Design of Jesus, to destroy the Temple, and the City, and alter the Rites, which Moses had, from God, commanded unto Israel. When he appeared before the Council to answer this Accusation, 'tis here said, They saw his Face, as it had been the Face of an Angel.