N01426:23
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.
First. Our Mothers unspeakably Comfort us, when we have good Instructions from them. There was a Wise Man, whom his Mother Comforted, when he could say, Prov. IV.3. I was a Tender and only one in the sight of my Mother, and then follow the Lessons from her, that helped him to be what he was. There was another Wise Man, whom his Mother Comforted, when there was, Prov. XXXI.3. The Prophecy that his Mother taught him; and she told him what must be done by the Son of her Vows. Mothers do sometimes contribute ⟨p. 12⟩very much unto the Wisdom of their Children; yea, do very much to make them Wise unto Salvation. The best Thing that some can be advised unto, is, Forsake not the Law of thy Mother. When our Mothers teach us our Catechism, and nourish our Souls with the sincere Milk of the Word of God, and charge us to do Well, and warn us to shun the Paths of the Destroyer, We are those that have our Mothers Comforting of us.
Secondly. Our Mothers unspeakably Comfort us, when we have good Examples from them. There was a Minister of God, whom his Mother Comforted, when it could be said unto him, 2 Tim. I.4. The Faith which dwelt first in thy Mother, I am persuaded is thee also. As there are Children Ruined by their Mothers, when it may be reported of them, as it was of one; 1 King. XXII.52. He did Evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his Mother; So a Man is one whom his Mother has Comforted, when his best way to do that which is Right in the sight of the Lord, is, to walk in the ⟨p. 13⟩way of has Mother. Have we had Mothers who have been Patterns of Piety, and of Holiness in all manner of Conversation? In whom we have seen an Abhorrence of every Wicked Thing; a mighty Delight in Conversing with the Word of God; Reading over the Bible perhaps Twice every Year; a constant Regard unto the Religion of the Closet? Yea, with such a Frequency, as no less than six Times in a Day. Such as been very Humble, in other Things, as well as their modest Attire; and very Charitable to the Poor, always Doing for them, or Grieving for them? If they had any little Feminine Weaknesses, yet being Women that feared the Lord, that Honourable Character the Fear of God, made a full Amends for all; and they were to be praised for it. We are those who have had our Mothers Comforting of us.