N01810:39
The right way to shake off a viper. An essay, upon a case too…
The right way to shake off a viper. An essay, upon a case too commonly calling for consideration; what shall good men do, when they are evil spoken of? : With a preface of Dr. Increase Mather,
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland for S. Gerrish, 1720
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.
Upon this general Case of all Good Men, the FIRST thing that I would propose is this; Let the defamed Christian set himself immediately ⟨p. 2⟩to Consider, what his carriage ought now to be. My Friend, Be more solicitous to do well under Defamations, and be the better for them, than how to vindicate your self against them. Let this be the first care on this occasion. Immediately pour our your fervent Supplications before the glorious GOD. Lord, Enable me now to glorify thee, Oh! leave me not to any Frowardness or Foolishness, that may dishonour thy Name, when my own has dishonour cast upon it. Immediately set your self to study, and contrive, What is that behaviour wherewith I must now endeavour to glorify God? Study and contrive, What shall I do, that I may in the Issue find that I have cause to bless the Name of God, for those very things, wherein mine seems to be Wounded? When a scurrilous Person once notoriously abused a very virtuous Person, the wronged and patient Servant of the Lord said, 2 Sam. 16.12. It may be the Lord will look upon mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me Good for his Cursing this Day. Truly, if you do after this manner begin your encounter with Defamations, 'tis beyond any, it may be, that the Lord will Requite you good for the Cursing of your Friend Shimei; He has already done you that good which abundantly makes amends for all the Cursing; you are most certainly in the way of coming at good that will surpass all Imagination. ⟨p. 3⟩Blessed, Blessed of the Lord art thou, Oh! thou Cursed of them that have Blessings far from them! Having proposed and premised this Blessed Introduction to all manner of good, I will proceed unto a more particular description of a defamed Christian pursuing the Honour of Christianity.
Upon this general Case of all Good Men, the FIRST thing that I would propose is this; Let the defamed Christian set himself immediately ⟨p. 2⟩to Consider, what his carriage ought now to be. My Friend, Be more solicitous to do well under Defamations, and be the better for them, than how to vindicate your self against them. Let this be the first care on this occasion. Immediately pour our your fervent Supplications before the glorious GOD. Lord, Enable me now to glorify thee, Oh! leave me not to any Frowardness or Foolishness, that may dishonour thy Name, when my own has dishonour cast upon it. Immediately set your self to study, and contrive, What is that behaviour wherewith I must now endeavour to glorify God? Study and contrive, What shall I do, that I may in the Issue find that I have cause to bless the Name of God, for those very things, wherein mine seems to be Wounded? When a scurrilous Person once notoriously abused a very vertuous Person, the wronged and patient Servant of the Lord said,