N01264:49
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.
First; Be Thankfully Affected. How Thankful, How Thankful should we be, that the Afflicted Case, which we may cast our Eye upon, is not our own Case! When we see any Spectacle of affliction, verily it Preaches to us, the Lessons of Thankfulness. As it was said; Luk. XIII. 2. Suppose ye, that these were sinners, above the rest, because ⟨p. 25⟩they suffered such things? I tell you, No. Thus are we to argue with our selves; Must I suppose, that they who suffer these things are Greater Sinners, than I that am yet preserved from them? No, But then, O my God, What shall I render to thee? Tis thy Sovereign Grace that preserves me from these things! Oh! What shall I render to the Lord?
But then, in the next place, we are to be Charitably Affected, Mercifully Affected. We read of such a Lovely thing, as that; Prov. XXII. 9. He that hath a Bountiful Eye shall be blessed, for he giveth of his bread to the Poor. What is a Bountiful Eye? Tis an Eye that is upon the Look-out for Subjects to Employ Bounty upon; and an Eye that affects the Heart with Dispositions to bestow the Bounty. Oh! Be ready to succour all that are under any Difficulties, any Exercises. Afford them all the Succours imaginable. My Brethren, Suffer this word of Exhortation. Enquire after such as may need your Help, any sort of Help that you can give them. Then Help them with all possible Alacrity. Take an unspeakable pleasure in Helping of ⟨p. 26⟩them. Let it be the First-born of your Delights, to be Helpful unto such as want your Assistances. To Do Good Offices, Oh, Fly to it with Rapture. Never be weary of this well-doing. Tho' you meet with Monsters of Ingratitude, as I will assure you that you shall, yet be not Weary; But Overcome Evil with Good.
But then, in the next place, we are to be Charitably Affected, Mercifully Affected. We read of such a Lovely thing, as that;