N02149:458
Parentator. Memoirs of remarkables in the life and the death of the ever-memorable Dr.…
Parentator. Memoirs of remarkables in the life and the death of the ever-memorable Dr. Increase Mather. Who expired, August 23. 1723. : [One line from II Kings]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Nathaniel Belknap, 1724
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.
He then wrote in his diary. This Day my former Thoughts about Preaching on the Evil of Self-Murder, returning upon me again; I looked up to GOD, and as I was lifting up my Heart to him, then walking in my Garden, I was most strangely moved and melted. I could not speak a word for some time. Tears gushed from my Eyes. And it seemed as if it were said to me, Preach on that Subject, and thou shalt Save Bodies and Souls from Death. The Lion is among thy Flock; Resist him with the Sword of the Spirit, and the Sheep Committed unto thy Charge shall be rescued out of his Bloody Hands. What the meaning of this is, I know not; but wonder at it. There may be something of Heaven in it, more than I am aware of.
He then wrote in his diary. This Day my former Thoughts about Preaching on the Evil of Self-Murder, returning upon me again; I look'd up to GOD, and as I was lifting up my Heart to him, then walking in my Garden, I was most strangely moved and melted. I could not speak a word for some time. Tears gushed from my Eyes. And it seemed as if it were said to me, Preach on that Subject, and thou shalt Save Bodies and Souls from Death. The Lion is among thy Flock; Resist him with the Sword of the Spirit, and the Sheep Committed unto thy Charge shall be rescued out of his Bloody Hands. What the meaning of this is, I know not; but wonder at it. There may be something of Heaven in it, more than I am aware of.
The next Lords-Day, he Preached the Sermon [On, Act. XVI. 27, 28.] And behold, soon after it, there came such to him, as informed him, That at that very Time, the Temptations to Self-Murder were impelling of them with an Horrible Violence But GOD had Blessed that Happy Sermon for; their Deliverance! They afterwards joined to his Church.
But that the Account of Dr. Mathers Ministry, may be given in the most Affectuous as well as the most Expressive way, We will here insert what was given of it; in a Sermon to his Flock, a few Days after his Expiration.