N01426:14
Maternal consolations. An essay on, the consolations of God
Maternal consolations. An essay on, the consolations of God; whereof, a man whom his mother comforteth, receives a shadow; and all the children of God, enjoy the substance. Made on the death of Mrs. Maria Mather, the consort of the Reverend Dr. Increase Mather, and the daughter of the renowned Mr. John Cotton, who expired on, 4 d. 2 m. 1714. In the seventy third year of her age. / By Cotton Mather, D.D. & F.R.S. and a son of the deceased gentlewoman. ; [Three lines from II Corinthians]
Boston: printed by T. Fleet for Samuel Gerrish, 1714
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.
Isa. LXVI.13. As it is with a Man whom his MOTHER Comforteth, so will I Comfort you.
GLORIOUS Things are to be done for the CHURCH of God in the latter Days. And especially for that People which for many Ages was the only Church of God in the World: His Peculiar; which for Ages not a few, has been Repudiated by the Lord, Rejected, Scattered, and cut off by Unbelief; which in the Ages coming on, is to be Converted, & Restored, & set on the top of the Mountains, with all Nations flowing unto it. Glorious Things are spoken of thee, O thou City of God.
The Noble Prophet Isaiah, under the Inspirations of God, is in the Chapter, and Context now before us, as well as elsewhere, employed as the Herald, by whom these Excellent Things which the Lord will do, are so Proclaimed, as to be known in all the Earth. These Excellent Things are Exhibited under the Term of, Consolations. But then, that the Consolations may be described as exceeding Comfortable, there is a Metaphor used, which carries the Tenderness of the Comforter, beyond all Expression. Our most Gracious GOD, is pleased variously to express His Love to His People, and His Care of them: He has used Similitudes for it, and this in a most Elegant Variety. Among these, Herein God commendeth His Love to us, that He not only assures us, Psal. CIII.13. Like as a Father pitieth his Children, so the Lord pities them that fear Him: He also gives us this Assurance, As a Mother Comforteth her Children, so will I Comfort them. Yea, I can tell where the Matter is carried further than so; He so Endears Himself unto His People; ⟨p. 5⟩