N01015:91
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.
I. I find my Heart prone, to take Secret Pleasure, in thinking, How much I do for the Good ⟨p. 29⟩of others? But, Lord, How Little of it is done for Thee? I fear, there is much of Doting upon the Creature, in my pursuit of the Good of others. I cannot Seek the Glory of God therein, but am carried most with Pity to Man; Else the Lord would hardly cross me in my Endeavours.
I. I find my Heart prone, to take Secret Pleasure, in thinking, How much I do for the Good ⟨p. 29⟩of others? But, Lord, How Little of it is done for Thee? I fear, there is much of Doting upon the Creature, in my pursuit of the Good of others. I cannot Seek the Glory of God therein, but am carried most with Pitty to Man; Else the Lord would hardly cross me in my Endeavours.
II. Oh! Let me not unthankfully, and wickedly make the Gifts of God, Subservient unto my Vain Glory!
III. It is very hard for me, to set my Heart upon God Himself, and not rest in the Creature; (or else to be restless and disconsolate:) although' I see, God is willing to have me come into His presence, and to satisfy my Soul in sweet Communion with Himself; and infinitely mere willing, than I am, that any of those I Love most, should be near me, and that I could be communicating the greatest Good unto them; which certainly is one of the main things I desire upon Earth.
III. It is very hard for me, to set my Heart upon God Himself, and not rest in the Creature; (or else to be restless and disconsolate:) altho' I see, God is willing to have me come into His presence, and to satisfy my Soul in sweet Communion with Himself; and infinitely mere willing, than I am, that any of those I Love most, should be near me, and that I could be communicating the greatest Good unto them; which certainly is one of the main things I desire upon Earth.