N01360:25
The best way of living; which is to die daily: very briefly described and…
The best way of living; which is to die daily: very briefly described and commended in a plain discourse, made at a time, when the author had newly seen repeated strokes of death, on his own family. And the publisher had his family also struck with a sudden death upon a vital part of it. : 22. d. IX. m. 1713. / By Cotton Mather, D.D. ; [One line from 2 Corinthians]
Boston: printed by J. Allen, 1713
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, there must be likewise an Actual preparation for Death, And one who Dies Daily, is one who is Daily doing of something towards this preparation also. To be Actually prepared for Death, is to be Daily employed in such points of a Godly Life as are pleasing to God. It is in a Daily Exercise to keep a Conscience void of offence. It is in a Daily compliance with the Famous Direction, Be thou in the Fear of the Lord all the Day long. We read in Luke XII. 43. Blessed is that Servant, whom his Lord when He cometh, shall find so Doing. To be Actually prepared for Death, is to be Daily doing of that, which if our Death should come this Day unto us, it would be no Damage unto us, to be found so doing. My Fellow Travellers; Keep your Assurance for Heaven so fair and clear, that the Approach of Death may not make you afraid with any amazement. Keep your Souls in such an Heavenly Frame, that the Advance of Death may not find you indisposed for a Translation to a Better World. Be Daily Engaged in such Services, that it ⟨p. 16⟩may be no Disadvantage for you, to be found so Engaged. This 'tis to Die Daily. One thing more: Every Night a man who Dies daily, will bestow some Thoughts on that Question, If I Die this Night, is all well with me? If I Die this Night, am I sure of a Better Life! Do I fall Asleep this Night in the Arms of a Faithful Saviour. Non prius in dulcem declinent Lumina Somnum.
But then, there must be likewise an Actual preparation for Death, And one who Dies Daily, is one who is Daily doing of something towards this preparation also. To be Actually prepared for Death, is to be Daily imployed in such points of a Godly Life as are pleasing to God. It is in a Daily Exercise to keep a Conscience void of offence. It is in a Daily compliance with the Famous Direction, Be thou in the Fear of the Lord all the Day long. We read in Luke XII. 43. Blessed is that Servant, whom his Lord when He cometh, shall find so Doing. To be Actually prepared for Death, is to be Daily doing of that, which if our Death should come this Day unto us, it would be no Damage unto us, to be found so doing. My Fellow Travellers; Keep your Assurance for Heaven so fair and clear, that the Approach of Death may not make you afraid with any amazement. Keep your Souls in such an Heavenly Frame, that the Advance of Death may not find you indisposed for a Translation to a Better World. Be Daily Engaged in such Services, that it