N01264:26
Compassions called for. An essay of profitable reflections on miserable spectacles
Compassions called for. An essay of profitable reflections on miserable spectacles. : To which is added, A faithful relation of some late, but strange occurrences that call for an awful and useful consideration. Especially distresses and deliverances, of a company lately shipwrecked on a desolate rock, on the coast of New-England. ; [Three lines of Scripture texts]Compassions called for. An essay of profitable reflections on miserable spectacles. : To which is added, A faithful relation of some late, but strange occurrences that call for an awful and useful consideration. Especially distresses and deliverances, of a company lately shipwreck'd on a desolate rock, on the coast of New-England. ; [Three lines of Scripture texts]
printed by B. Green, 1711
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.
But then, methinks we may see occasions for Thankfulness, even in every Miserable Spectacle. We should have our Hearts Affected with a Thankful Admiration at the Distinguishing Favours of God unto our selves. Lord, Why am not I such a Spectacle? Why is not this my Unhappiness? Tis what I have deserved, as much as any in the world. In the ⟨p. 9⟩midst of Lamentations, we have those Acknowledgements; Lam. III. 22. It is of the Lords Mercies that we are not Consumed: because His Compassions fail not.
But then, methinks we may see occasions for Thankfulness, even in every Miserable Spectacle. We should have our Hearts Affected with a Thankful Admiration at the Distinguishing Favours of God unto our selves. Lord, Why am not I such a Spectacle? Why is not this my Unhappiness? Tis what I have deserved, as much as any in the world. In the ⟨p. 9⟩midst of Lamentations, we have those Acknowledgments; Lam. III. 22. It is of the Lords Mercies that we are not Consumed: because His Compassions fail not.
The proper affections on such Spectacles are not yet all fully to the Life Expressed. Something must be produced in the Life. Our Affections must produce Affectionate Resolutions to Do all the Good that we can. We are affectionately to Devise Good, for the Relief of the Heart-affecting Spectacles. Or, the Spectacles are to mind us of some Good that we must Resolve to do for our Selves, or Others. We must be provoked unto some Holy and Useful Resolutions. We must fetch some Good out of Evil Spectacles, Think, Wherein must I be the better, by what I see? Think, What shall I do, that Others may be the Better for what I see?