N01426:46
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.
Thirdly. Don't Grieve the Grand Comforter. That is to say, what you have in Eph. IV.30. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God. If He withdraw from you, all Comfort goes with Him Indulged Sin will cause His withdraw from you. Wretches that wallow in Sin, and pretend at the same Time unto Comfort; O deluded Wretches, what will be the woeful Issue of your sportful Delusions? Verily, To lye down ⟨p. 35⟩in Sorrow! See that you Walk Circumspectly; See that you Walk before the Lord in the Land of the Living; See that you maintain a Prayerful, Watchful, Fruitful Walk, with a Conscience void of Offence towards God, and towards Man. The Comforter will then fill you with unknown Consolations. The Tendency of such a Walk is to Joy unspeakable and full of Glory. The Paths of it are Paths of Peace; and at the End of it the Perfect and Upright find an endless Peace.
Thirdly. Don't Grieve the Grand Comforter. That is to say, what you have in Eph. IV.30. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God. If He withdraw from you, all Comfort goes with Him Indulged Sin will cause His withdraw from you. Wretches that wallow in Sin, and pretend at the same Time unto Comfort; O deluded Wretches, what will be the woful Issue of your sportful Delusions? Verily, To lye down ⟨p. 35⟩in Sorrow! See that you Walk Circumspectly; See that you Walk before the Lord in the Land of the Living; See that you maintain a Prayerful, Watchful, Fruitful Walk, with a Conscience void of Offence towards God, and towards Man. The Comforter will then fill you with unknown Consolations. The Tendency of such a Walk is to Joy unspeakable and full of Glory. The Pathes of it are Pathes of Peace; and at the End of it the Perfect and Upright find an endless Peace.
Lastly. I will not break off, till I have told you of a Mother, who will Comfort you, yea, bring you the Consolations of God, if you will do your Duty to her. No doubt, you are aware, who that Mother is, that I now point you to. 'Tis the Church of the Living God: The CHURCH, whereto they generally apply that Passage;