N01270:18
A discourse concerning the death of the righteous. Occasioned by the deaths of the…
A discourse concerning the death of the righteous. Occasioned by the deaths of the Honourable, John Foster Esqr. who dyed at Boston in New-England Feb. 9th. 1710,11. And his pious consort, Mrs. Abigail Foster. Who departed soon after him, viz. on the 5th. of March. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Four lines from Revelation]
Boston: 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.
2. Mercifulness discovers it self in Bounty and Charity towards them that need relief. The Hebrew words for Merciful men, are, Anshe Chesed, The Men of Goodness, or kindness. Bountifulness is called Goodness. The Apostle speaking of the fruits of the Spirit mentions Gentleness and Goodness, Gal. 5.22. Gentleness notes a readiness to forgive; Goodness, a willingness to communicate good things to them that are in want. The special object of Mercy is such as are in Misery, and in that respect need relief, as tis with those who are oppressed with Poverty. 1 Joh. 3.17. Whoso has this worlds goods and seeth his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of Compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him? A brother that is in want is an object of bowels of Compassion. Charity towards the poor and needy is Mercifulness. The Greeks (as some of you know) call Alms deeds, Eleemosunas from Eleos which signifies Mercy. And these also are called Righteousness. Psal. 112.9. He has dispersed, he has given to the poor, his righteousness endureth for ever. A Covetous Miser is apt to think, that that part ⟨p. 6⟩of his Estate which is given to the Poor is lost, whenas the truth is, that that is the only part of his Estate which will abide with him to Eternity. That Righteousness in respect of the fruits and blessed reward of it Endureth for ever. The Apostle prays for the Corinthians that the Lord would increase the fruits of their Righteousness, 2 Cor. 9.10. They had been charitable and bountiful to the poor Saints at Jerusalem, this he calls their Righteousness, and prays that as a little Seed produceth a great deal of fruit, so that their Charity might have an abundant recompense. We see then that Righteous Men and Merciful Men are the same. But then we must remember that there is a Natural and a Spiritual Mercifulness.
2. Mercifulness discovers it self in Bounty and Charity towards them that need relief. The Hebrew words for Merciful men, are, Anshe Chesed, The Men of Goodness, or kindness. Bountifulness is called Goodness. The Apostle speaking of the fruits of the Spirit mentions Gentleness and Goodness,