N01015:43
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.
Secondly. The Faithful Christian shall find his Faithfulness lead him unto a Blessedness, which is called Life; which will be an Excellent, yea, an Eternal Life. Tis most certain, That our Faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ will End in Endless Blessedness. Wherein will consist that Blessedness? In the Old Testament, we have it after that manner Expressed: Psal. 17.15. I shall behold thy Face in Righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with thy likeness. In the New Testament, we have it Expressed after that manner; 1 Joh. 3.2. We know, that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. That incomparable, that incomprehensible Blessedness, which is intended for the Faithful Christian, will be in the Vision of God, and of Jesus Christ; and in the Image of that Glorious Lord imparted unto him; and in a most intimate Communion with the glorious Lord; and in unutterable Satisfactions produced by the Spirit of Glory for ever possessing of him. This Blessedness is called, LIFE; and in that Name very precious things are intimated. A Faithful man may have his Death hastened by his Faithfulness. No; His Life is not lost. Non homo moritur, sed peccatum hominis: There Dies nothing of him, except that which is his very Death. His Faithfulness only brings him to a Blessedness, which is the Truest Life. The Separate Soul of a Faithful man puts on the Garments of Light; and flies away to a Paradise, and there waits in Rest and Peace, and Hope for the Resurrection of the Dead. [Rev. 14.13.] There shall at length arrive, [But, Oh Lord, How Long!] a Resurrection ⟨p. 14⟩of the Dead; The Faithful man shall then receive his Body again. His Body shall be an Incorruptible, Agile, Splendid Mansion for him. He shall in that Body, live as a Citizen of the Heavenly City, till the very Heavens be no more. When a Faithful man Dies, tis to Live better than he did before. The Blessedness will be Life; Because it will be Desirable. It was said, What man is he, who desireth Life? Indeed, what man is he, who desireth it not? There are few things, but what we part withal, to prolong our Life. Men are naturally and generally loth to Dy. Nature is never willing to Dy. The cry is, Life is Good! The Blessedness intended for us, may well be Styled Life: Because indeed it is, [the Jews do well apply the Text unto this:]