N01426:48
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.
What I press for, is, That so many of you would no more turn your Backs on the Table of your Mother, but Conscientiously Prepare for, and Approach to, the Supper of your Saviour there; The Children's Bread. Some of those, who omit this Duty, are on all other Accounts as well disposed People as any in the World; yet in this, I declare unto you, I Praise you not. It is impossible for them to make any Apology for this Omission, but what will imply a real Miscarriage in them. Their best Apology is, That they have lest the state of their Souls, at such Uncertainties, that they dare not come to the more special and awful Ordinances. But, Sirs, Is this Excusable? Suffer me to go on with my Expostulation. If every one should be disposed as you are, what would become of your Mother? This Omission of yours, will Distress you on a Death-bed, I am certain of it, I am certain of it! How soon you may come to lye on a Death-bed, neither you nor I do know. Would you do what common Sense requires to be done, ⟨p. 38⟩by Men in Daily Expectation of their Dying Day, you would be no longer unprepared for that commanded Action of, showing forth the Death of the Lord. But this I know; That your having left this Duty undone, will be a Bitterness unto you in a dying Hour. You will then blame your selves for it, and Mourn exceedingly, and say with a Regret which who can bear?—Oh! That I had made more thorough Work, in that Article of Obedience unto God; my coming to Him in all His Ordinances!— I wish, that I may not see this Prediction too quickly accomplished on some of my dear Friends, to whom I wish as well as to my own Soul; Friends, whom 'tis because I Love them exceedingly, that I now deal so Faithfully withal, and from this public Place of Thunder, do Repeat the Warnings of God unto them. The Voice of a good Man, is that, 1 Chron. XXIX.3. I have set my Affection on the House of my God. Sirs, 'Tis your Mother, for whom I bespeak this good Affection! But then, if this Church of the Lord, is to have the Regards of a ⟨p. 39⟩Mother from you, Beware, beware, that none of you do the Part of a spurious Brood in ill Treating of her. Wish well to her, Deal well by her, Do her no Wrong in the World. Ye shall fear every Man his Mother, I am the Lord your God, who command it, saith the Lord, and will Punish you, if you Wrong such a Mother. No, You must Love your Mother dearly;