N01015:126
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.
In our Presidents Exposition, I found sweet Encouragement in regard of my Bodily Weakness; occasionally fetched from that: Isa. 40.30, 31. It may be thou art Sickly. Why, the Lord is thy Physician, who healeth thee. HE CAN MAKE THEE STRONG IN THY AGE, THO' THOU BE WEAKLY IN THY YOUTH.
I. I Have been musing upon this point, That GOD is. Besides what Arguments I read in others, these are presented unto me.
1. If there were No God, mens Hearts would not be so full of Enmity against God as they are.
2. Once I was Blind, but now I See; once Dead, but now Alive; once loving Sin, and hating Holiness. Who made this Change? Not, Self. For to me, Believing was impossible. Not Men. For why are not others Converted, that are less Hardened in Sin; or why was not I Converted sooner, while it was easier! Not, Satan. He is not such a Fool, to destroy his own Kingdom. Therefore, it was GOD. Therefore God is.
3. My Prayers have been answered from time to time. Therefore there is a GOD, who hath heard me. If there were no God, how should my Prayers have been heard? Whoever doubts of his Being, let me never doubt of it, who have Seen him, and Felt him; not only Heard of him.
II. These are the Principles, which the Lord has been teaching me by his Afflicting Dispensations this Winter.
1. To Rejoice in Acting according to the Rule, whatever the Event be, Good or Evil. Mind my Work, which is Duty; and let God alone with the Event, which is His Work.
2. Not to Rejoice much in any Creature. Thou knowest not, whether it shall comfort thee, or Torment thee.
2. Not to Rejoyce much in any Creature. Thou knowest not, whether it shall comfort thee, or Torment thee.
3. Not to be Troubled with Evil before it come. Sufficient is the Trouble of the Day, when it is come.
4. To be humbly Thankful for Life, & Health, and Liberty to Serve God heretofore; though I should Enjoy them no longer.
5. To Fight against Melancholy, and unbelieving Thoughts: Not by Debating with them, (for so they are too hard for me:) but by Slighting them, and not Attending to them.
5. To Fight against Melancholy, and unbelieving Thoughts: Not by Debating with them, (for so they are too hard for me:) but by Sleighting them, and not Attending to them.
III. I am afraid, Lest I desire Health more than Holiness: (tho' I desire that also, that I might have Opportunity for further Exercise of Holiness:) But what Good will my Life or Health, do me, Good Lord, if I Live not to thy Praise & Honour?
