N00941:97
Meat out of the eater. Or, Funeral-discourses occasioned by the death of several relatives.…
Meat out of the eater. Or, Funeral-discourses occasioned by the death of several relatives. Work accommodated unto the service of all that are in any affliction; but very particularly such as are afflicted with the loss of their consorts or children. / By Cotton Mather. ; [Four lines from I Corinthians]
Boston: printed by B. Green & J. Allen for Benjamin Eliot, 1703
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 how can I dismiss you, O my Hearers, without an Exhortation, To make through work in a Self Examination upon that Important point, Whether we have the Fear of God, or no? Christians, That famous Exercise of Christianity, even, Self Examination, is to be now pressed upon you, in the fear of God; and, a Self Examination, whether you have it? It my Hearers will be prevailed upon, to do something to purpose, at this most Holy, most Useful, most Needful piece of Devotion, ⟨p. 58⟩even, Self Examination, our Coming together will be to good purpose. Alas my Hearers; The Stupidity of the World, so generally neglecting all Self Examination is as just a ground of Horror, and of Wonder, as any in the World. It was Complained, Jer. 8 6. I hearkened and heard, and no man Repented saying, What have I done? May not the Complaint be now made, Ah, Lord, Thou hast Hearkened, and Heard; but how few are there any where Examining themselves, and saying, What have I been? Oh, how Rare a thing is it, for the Children of men to call themselves unto a Strict Account, O my Soul, Dost thou really fear God? What is thy State? What is thy Frame? Whither art thou going? And where art thou like to be lodged throughout Eternal Ages? Mens being so indisposed unto this Action, I tell you truly, tis an horrible and a wonderful thing!
But how can I dismiss you, O my Hearers, without an Exhortation, To make thorow work in a Self Examination upon that Important point, Whether we have the Fear of God, or no? Christians, That famous Exercise of Christianity, even, Self Examination, is to be now press'd upon you, in the fear of God; and, a Self Examination, whether you have it? It my Hearers will be prevailed upon, to do something to purpose, at this most Holy, most Useful, most Needful piece of Devotion, ⟨p. 58⟩even, Self Examination, our Coming together will be to good purpose. Alas my Hearers; The Stupidity of the World, so generally neglecting all Self Examination is as just a ground of Horror, and of Wonder, as any in the World. It was Complained, Jer. 8 6. I hearkened and heard, and no man Repented saying, What have I done? May not the Complaint be now made, Ah, Lord, Thou hast Hearkened, and Heard; but how few are there any where Examining themselves, and saying, What have I been? Oh, how Rare a thing is it, for the Children of men to call themselves unto a Strict Account, O my Soul, Dost thou really fear God? What is thy State? What is thy Frame? Whither art thou going? And where art thou like to be lodg'd throughout Eternal Ages? Mens being so indisposed unto this Action, I tell you truely, tis an horrible and a wonderful thing!