N00683:140
A good man making a good end. The life and death, of the Reverend…
A good man making a good end. The life and death, of the Reverend Mr. John Baily [i.e., Bailey], comprised and expressed in a sermon, on the day of his funeral. Thursday. 16.d. 10.m. 1697. / By Cotton Mather. ; [Two line epigram in Latin]
printed by B. Green for Michael Perry, 1698
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.
Ecclesiastical History mentions this particular Disposition, in one of the Primitive Christians, and Confessors; That when the Sworn Enemies of Christianity, Examined him, What he was? he would still give them no other Answer, but this, I am a Christian: If they asked him, what Country-man he was, or, what Employment he had, or, who were his Friends, or, any other matter, his Answer to them still was no other than this, I am a Christian: Thus he still Answered, although he ran the hazard of his Life, by making such an Answer!
ECclesiastical History mentions this particular Disposition, in one of the Primitive Christians, and Confessors; That when the Sworn Enemies of Christianity, Examined him, What he was? he would still give them no other Answer, but this, I am a Christian: If they asked him, what Countrey-man he was, or, what Employment he had, or, who were his Friends, or, any other matter, his Answer to them still was no other than this, I am a Christian: Thus he still Answered, although he ran the hazard of his Life, by making such an Answer!
It is to be supposed, that Most, if not All, of the Persons, who Compose the Assembly, now together in this place, if they should be asked, What they are? would make that Answer, I am a Christian: And indeed there is no Danger; 'tis ⟨p. 59⟩a matter of some Credit, among us, in such an Answer. But then there is another Question, hence proper to be Considered: What is a CHRISTIAN? And it is to be feared, That very many, who wear that Worthy Name, can make, either but a sorry Answer to that Question, or such an Answer as must carry their own Confutation, and Condemnation in it.
It is to be supposed, that Most, if not All, of the Persons, who Compose the Assembly, now together in this place, if they should be asked, What they are? would make that Answer, I am a Christian: And indeed there is no Danger; 'tis ⟨p. 59⟩a matter of some Credit, among us, in such an Answer. But then there is anoher Question, hence proper to be Considered: What is a CHRISTIAN? And it is to be feared, That very many, who wear that Worthy Name, can make, either but a sorry Answer to that Question, or such an Answer as must carry their own Confutation, and Condemnation in it.