N00989:82
The voice of God, in stormy winds. Considered, in two sermons, occasioned by the…
The voice of God, in stormy winds. Considered, in two sermons, occasioned by the dreadful and unparalleled storm, in the European nations. Novemb. 27th. 1703. / By Increase Mather. ; [Five lines of quotations]The voice of God, in stormy winds. Considered, in two sermons, occasioned by the dreadful and unparallel'd storm, in the European nations. Novemb. 27th. 1703. / By Increase Mather. ; [Five lines of quotations]
printed by T. Green for Nicholas Buttolph, 1704
Title page typeset from the transcription.
GOD is to be Praised, For Giving Snow like Wool.GOD is to be Praised, For Giving Snow like VVool.
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.
2. In respect of Softness. Hence is the Proverbial Expression, As soft as wool. So as soft as snow. When it first falls on the Ground, if a man should fall on it, he'll receive no more hurt thereby than if he should fall on Wool. It is near akin to water in respect of the softness of it. This our senses confirm I am not ignorant, that some late Enquirers into the works of Nature, suppose a Snowy Cloud to be an infinite Number of Icicles, and that Snow is Ice, & therefore hard. We must then call it woolly Ice.
2. In respect of Softness. Hence is the Proverbial Expression, As soft as wool. So as soft as snow. When it first falls on the Ground, if a man should fall on it, he'l receive no more hurt thereby than if he should fall on Wool. It is near akin to water in respect of the softness of it. This our senses confirm I am not ignorant, that some late Enquirers into the works of Nature, suppose a Snowy Cloud to be an infinite Number of Icicles, and that Snow is Ice, & therefore hard. We must then call it woolly Ice.
3. The Third and Chief reason of the Comparison, is, In respect of that warming Virtue that does attend the Snow. Wool is warm. We say, As warm as Wool. Woollen-cloth has a greater warmth than ⟨p. 73⟩other Clothing has. The wool on Sheep keeps them warm in the Winter season. So when the back of the Ground is covered with Snow, it keeps it warm. Some mention it as one of the wonders of the Snow, that tho' it is it self cold, yet it makes the Earth warm▪ But Naturalists observe, that there is a saline spirit in it, which is hot, by means whereof Plants under the Snow are kept from freezing. Ice under the snow is sooner melted and broken than other Ice. In some Northern Climates, the wild barbarous People use to cover themselves over with it to keep them warm. When the sharp Air has begun to freeze a mans Limbs, Snow will bring heat into them again. If persons Eat much Snow, or drink immoderately of Snow-water, it will burn their Bowels and make them black. So that it has a warming virtue in it, and is therefore fitly compared to Wool.