N00655:26
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, Secondly, The Excellencies of Holiness, [For, the Saints, are the Excellent!] These are They, wherein the Imitation of the Angels by men, may be very far proceeded in. The Angels of God, are styled, in Mat. 25.31. The Holy Angels; and in Dan. 4.17. The Holy Ones. 'Tis not as they are Mighty Angels, but as they are Holy Angels, that we must propound our coming to Look like unto them. These Holy Angels, never did, and never will Sin against their God; but are continually Serving of Him; They Serve Him Day and Night in His Temple! And it may be, the Bright Garments, wherein these Angels of Light, have appeared, may be an Emblem of their Holiness and their Purity. Now it hath been the Will of God in our Lord Jesus Christ concerning us, that there should be set before us, the Greatest Examples of Holiness for our Imitation. And hence, as we have the Greater Example of our Lord JESUS CHRIST Himself given unto us, to Direct and Excite and Promote our Holiness, with a Charge, To be Holy, as He that hath called us is Holy; So, we have also the Example of the Holy Angels given unto us, That ⟨p. 11⟩we may strive as far as may be, to be Like unto them in their Holiness. Hence when the Psalmist of old saw the Angels praising of God, he cried out, O my Soul, do Thou so too! Yea, some Interpreters Judge, That when the Face of Stephen Looked like an Angel, it was no more than what you and I may through' Christ who strengthens us, reach unto. q d. The Consolations of the Holy Spirit of God, so filled him, that he discovered not the least Consternations in his Face: His Face was as Joyful, and Serene, as if he had stood free from all the Sorrows of this World, among the Angels of God.
But, Secondly, The Excellencies of Holiness, [For, the Saints, are the Excellent!] These are They, wherein the Imitation of the Angels by men, may be very far proceeded in. The Angels of God, are styled, in Mat. 25.31. The Holy Angels; and in Dan. 4.17. The Holy Ones. 'Tis not as they are Mighty Angels, but as they are Holy Angels, that we must propound our coming to Look like unto them. These Holy Angels, never did, and never will Sin against their God; but are continually Serving of Him; They Serve Him Day and Night in His Temple! And it may be, the Bright Garments, wherein these Angels of Light, have appeared, may be an Emblem of their Holiness and their Purity. Now it hath been the Will of God in our Lord Jesus Christ concerning us, that there should be set before us, the Greatest Exemples of Holiness for our Imitation. And hence, as we have the Greater Exemple of our Lord JESUS CHRIST Himself given unto us, to Direct and Excite and Promote our Holiness, with a Charge, To be Holy, as He that hath called us is Holy; So, we have also the Exemple of the Holy Angels given unto us, That