N01426:26
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.
Thus 'tis, that our good Mothers do Comfort us. But O Children, How can you do any other then study to be Comforts unto such obliging Mothers? When you were first Born unto them, they expected, This same shall Comfort us. Oh! Let them not be disappointed of their Expectations. A Disappointment, which will deserve and procure, that you who give it, should Perish Wonderfully! Your Mothers even Load you with Comforts; and all your Comforts are Theirs. Children. Do not you now fill them with Sorrows; Oh! Do not bring down their Grey Hairs therewith unto the Grave. Be it known unto you; Your Wickedness will fill them, and even kill them with Sorrows. You read, Prov. X.1. A Foolish Son is the Heaviness of his Mother. And, Prov. XVII.25. A Foolish Son is a Bitterness to ⟨p. 16⟩her that bare him. Very particularly, All Undutiful, All Rebellious, All Contemptuous Carriage towards your Mothers; Wretches, I tell you, it will be extremely Grievous to them. The Transgressors of the fifth Commandment, are called, 1 Tim. I.9. Murderers of Mothery. If you don't Honour your Mothers, you Murder them. You had best beware, last you so see provoke your Mothers, that they may Pronounce a Direful Thing in the Anguish that you give unto them. Some Direful Thing will befall you, if it should be so. The Direful Thing will be dreadfully Executed on you. There are Executioners that stand always really for it! You are worse than the Thievish Micah, if the Vengeance of an Irritated Mother be nothing with you. I press for the Reverse of this. Comfort your Mothers, by all possible. Demonstrations of your Affection to them; in speaking to them, in doing for them, all that is Comfortable. Comfort them with contriving all the Methods imaginable to make their whole Condition Comfortable. Comfort them, ⟨p. 17⟩with making them the Glad Spectators of such a Laudable Behaviour in you, that their Hearts may Rejoice, even theirs. Finally, Be of the Persuasion, That you never can Retaliate the Consolations you have received from your Mothers; Be persuaded, That you never can do so much for their Comfort as they have done for yours. Children, This is Right! But perhaps there are some of you, whose Mothers after Thousands of Groans to Heaven for you, yet had not the Satisfaction of seeing you brought home to God before they Died;