N01903:64
Silentiarius. A brief essay on the holy silence and godly patience, that sad things…
Silentiarius. A brief essay on the holy silence and godly patience, that sad things are to be entertained withal. A sermon at Boston-Lecture, on the death of Mrs. Abigail Willard, and the day before her interment; who expired Septemb. 26. 1721. / By her father. ; Whereunto there is added, a sermon on, the refuge of the distressed, which was preached on the Lord's-Day preceding.Silentiarius. A brief essay on the holy silence and godly patience, that sad things are to be entertained withal. A sermon at Boston-Lecture, on the death of Mrs. Abigail Willard, and the day before her interment; who expired Septemb. 26. 1721. / By her father. ; Whereunto there is added, a sermon on, the refuge of the distressed, which was preached on the Lord's-Day preceeding.
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland, 1721
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.
I dismiss that Admonition; and proceed unto One Article of this Excellent Mans Behaviour in the Time of his Calamity. This was, an Earnest Supplication unto GOD. We have Two things before us. First; We have his Condition, O Lord, I am oppressed. The Word properly means, an unjust Hardship, wherein, ⟨p. 4⟩as we say, Might overcomes Right! But we must not imagine, That our Saint would cry out as one in that sense Oppressed by GOD. The Word then is to be taken in the Improper meaning; It is as much as to say, My Affliction is too heavy for me; and my Distemper handles me with a sort of Tyranny: I am overthrown, I am overwhelmed, I have no way to help my self.
Secondly, WE have his Petition, Undertake for me. The word signifies, To mingle. It leads us to a Suretyship, in which Parties are mingled; the one acts for the other, yea, the one becomes the other. It is, q. d. Engage for my Help. It also signifies Comfort me; Refresh me, Ease me, give me some Rest. Some Interpreters translate the Word, Weave me up. He had just before said, I have cut off like a weaver my Life. Now he says; Extend the Web of my Life; Let it not be cut off, till it be fairly and fully finished.
Secondly, WE have his Petition, Undertake for me. The word signifies, To mingle. It leads us to a Suretiship, in which Parties are mingled; the one acts for the other, yea, the one becomes the other. It is, q. d. Engage for my Help. It also signifies Comfort me; Refresh me, Ease me, give me some Rest. Some Interpreters translate the Word, Weave me up. He had just before said, I have cut off like a weaver my Life. Now he says; Extend the Web of my Life; Let it not be cut off, till it be fairly and fully finished.
The DOCTRINE before us, what else can it well be, but this?