N00655:48
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.
He was of a very Robust and Hardy Constitution, and a notable Exception to the General Remark, Raro solent Ingenia insigniter faelicia, Robusta sort•ri Corpora; and, it may be, too Prodigal of his Athletic Strength, in doing the Service, whereto a Good Master called him. Nevertheless, when a Complication of Distempers, was diverse Months before his Dissolution, brought thereby upon him, he Exceedingly Lamented, His Neglect, (as he accounted it) of his past Opportunities to be Serviceable. At Length, Coming to Boston, for Advice about the Recovery of his Lost Health, his Distempers here so grew upon him, as to Threaten a Quick period unto his Pilgrimage. His Distressed Church at Portsmouth now Importunately made their Prayer with Fasting before the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, that they might not be deprived of ⟨p. 30⟩so Rich a Blessing; And he was himself Exceedingly desirous to have Returned unto Portsmouth, that he might establish his Flock yet further against all Temptations to forsake the Right ways of the Lord. But Heaven determines otherwise.
He was of a very Robust and Hardy Constitution, and a notable Exception to the General Remark, Raro solent Ingenia insigniter faelicia, Robusta sort•ri Corpora; and, it may be, too Prodigal of his Athletick Strength, in doing the Service, whereto a Good Master called him. Nevertheless, when a Complication of Distempers, was diverse Months before his Dissolution, brought thereby upon him, he Exceedingly Lamented, His Neglect, (as he accounted it) of his past Opportunities to be Serviceable. At Length, Coming to Boston, for Advice about the Recovery of his Lost Health, his Distempers here so grew upon him, as to Threaten a Quick •eriod unto his Pilgrimage. His Distressed Church at Portsmouth now Importunately made their Prayer with Fasting before the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, that they might not be deprived of ⟨p. 30⟩so Rich a Blessing; And he was himself Exceedingly desirous to have Returned unto Portsmouth, that he might establish his Flock yet further against all Temptations to forsake the Right wayes of the Lord. But Heaven determines otherwise.