N01015:17
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.
One of them was at Smyrna. Ecclesiastical Story tells us, That an horrid Storm of Persecution befell the Church at Smyrna, soon after our Lord had sent unto them the Premonitions of it; A Storm, which was not assuaged until the Martyrdom of that brave old man, their Pastor Polycarp. A Letter of that Church yet in our hands, does relate, How cruelly the Martyrs of Smyrna were tormented, and after all their Torments they were thrown unto Wild Beasts to be devoured. And we find, that these Cruelties were pushed on, by the Envies and Slanders of the Jews, as well as by the Savage Fierceness of the Gentiles.
One of them was at Smyrna. Ecclesiastical Story tells us, That an horrid Storm of Persecution befel the Church at Smyrna, soon after our Lord had sent unto them the Praemonitions of it; A Storm, which was not asswaged until the Martyrdom of that brave old man, their Pastor Polycarp. A Letter of that Church yet in our hands, does relate, How cruelly the Martyrs of Smyrna were tormented, and after all their Torments they were thrown unto Wild Beasts to be devoured. And we find, that these Cruelties were push'd on, by the Envies and Slanders of the Jews, as well as by the Savage Fierceness of the Gentiles.
Our Lord Foretold, unto the Christian Smyrnians, the coming of these Trials upon them. That He might Fortify them for their Trials, ⟨p. 3⟩Behold, an Encouragement! The most Glorious, the most Marvellous, the most Engaging Encouragement, that ever was offered unto the Children of men. Generals do Encourage their Soldiers, with the Best they can do for them; Riches, if they Live; Honours, whether they Live, or Dy. But we belong to the Armies of▪ Him, whose Name is, King of Kings, and, Lord of Lords. No King or Lord, could ever Encourage with such Assurances as ours gives to us. We are animated now, to Overcome all Discouragements in the conflict of Christianity. A CROWN OF LIFE! Methinks, it should be enough to overcome us, and make us Overcome all our Difficulties.