N01015:123
A faithful man, described and rewarded. Some observable & serviceable passages in the life…
A faithful man, described and rewarded. Some observable & serviceable passages in the life and death of Mr. Michael Wigglesworth. Late Pastor of Maldon [i.e., Malden]; who rested from his labours, on the Lords-Day, June 10th. 1705. In the seventy fourth year of his age. : And memorials of piety, left behind him among his written experiences. : With a funeral-sermon preached (for him) at Maldon; June 24. 1705. / By Cotton Mather. ; [Two lines of quotation in Latin]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Benj. Eliot, 1705
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.
XXXI. One was speaking in Commendation, of seasonable Laughter & Merriment, as that which may be a means to Recreate ones tired Spirits, and prolong ones Life. But, alas, my Heart is so naught, that should I give it Liberty there, I have cause to fear, lest I should take pleasure, for it self, without Reference to Health, and so to the Glory of God, and then it would be Sin unto me. And let me rather Live a Melancholy Life all my days, than by Merriment run into a course of provoking my God.
XXXII. I could not go through' my Study, with Delight & Comfort. God would here it may be show me, how far even my Studies fall short of giving my Heart true Content. And Oh! that this might make me prize the Lord more, in whom alone my Soul finds Support; in whom are all my Springs. Return, Return, Blessed Father, with the manifestations of thy self, and communications of thy Heavenly Grace to my Soul.
XXXII. I could not go thro' my Study, with Delight & Comfort. God would here it may be show me, how far even my Studies fall short of giving my Heart true Content. And Oh! that this might make me prize the Lord more, in whom alone my Soul finds Support; in whom are all my Springs. Return, Return, Blessed Father, with the manifestations of thy self, and communications of thy Heavenly Grace to my Soul.
XXXIII. I Bless God, for giving me a Mouth, to speak any thing of Himself, to my Companion: Lord, make me to abound in Every Good Work! [After this.] A Friend came over to us: and we discoursed on this Question ⟨p. 39⟩If Christ be mine, and all Fullness in Him, and God willing to give it, and I seek it, Why find I not Grace in my Need? It was answered. First; It is to make a man Examine, and be sure he has a Christ, and so a Right to it. Secondly. If he be sure, then to make him Live by Faith, and not Sense; to make him a poor Nothing. Thirdly, Tis to Exercise Patience and all Grace. Lastly. Tis to break his Will, and make him Meek.