the answer of our prayers upon this, and are willing to be denied, if it be not so. But thou, who hast searched all our hearts, knowest that thou hast created such a spirit within us. We desire to be delivered from all sin, and to yield a holy obedience to all thy commands; though how to perform, we find not. Father, deal with us as with thy children.'" The passages here extracted I am sure will not be unacceptable to the pious reader. They indicate a sweetness and brokenness of spirit, a freedom and intimacy of holy, spiritual communion, which has rarely been equalled, in this world of sin. It is interesting to know how such a man as Increase Mather ordinarily spent his time. The following method of employing it was adopted in early life, and, with occasional modifications, was continued to the last : "Lord's day. Besides my public labors, attend to the catechising and personal instruction of my family. Monday. Forenoon, read comments; study sermon. mon. "Tuesday. Forenoon, read comments; study sermon. Afternoon, endeavor to instruct personally more or less; read authors. Thursday. study sermon. Forenoon, read comments; Afternoon, read authors; pur Forenoon, read comments; After lecture, * endeavor to promote among the ministers what shall be of public advantage. "Friday. Forenoon, read comments; study sermon. Afternoon, read authors; finish ser mons. 66 Saturday. Read comments. Prepare for the Sabbath, by committing my sermons to memory, &c. "I am not willing to allow myself more than seven hours in twenty-four for sleep, and would spend the rest of my time in attending to the duties of my personal and general calling." If the above may be regarded as a fair specimen of the manner in which our fathers in the ministry spent their time, then several important facts may be easily accounted for. It is no wonder that they were mighty in the Scriptures. Here is Increase Mather studying the Scriptures six days in the week, from Monday to Saturday. A part of every forenoon is employed in reading comments. These comments were * Referring to the stated Thursday Lecture. in different languages, and embraced a vast range of biblical illustration and remark. By this course of study, continued through more than half a century, the language of Scripture became to him as household words, and the interpretation of difficult passages was familiar and easy. Again; it is not to be wondered at, that the reading of our fathers was extensive. Increase Mather literally fulfilled the apostolic injunction, "Give thyself to reading." A part of four afternoons in every week, he read authors. It is incalculable how many good authors may have been read in this way; and how much the mind may have been enriched; and how well prepared to pour forth its treasures in the stated ministrations of the pulpit. But especially is it not to be wondered at, that the sermons of our fathers were so thoroughly elaborated, and so rich in scriptural, evangelical instruction. Here was Increase Mather studying his sermons every day of the week except the Sabbath, and for three days in the week, forenoon and afternoon. He knew what it was to bring beaten oil into the sanctuary; nor did he feel at liberty to serve the Lord, or his people with that which cost him little or nothing. In one respect, Mr. Mather was decidedly in advance of the ministers of his own age, and perhaps of any other age in New England. I refer to his manner of delivery. He was not only a sound and learned divine, but a graceful and powerful speaker. He made it an object and labor through life to be so, and he was so. He could not consent to be fettered by notes, or to pour forth in the Lord's name, mere extemporary effusions; and so he incurred the labor, habitually, of committing his sermons to memory. Whether or not he was wise in this, I will not now undertake to say; but this I do say, that he was wise in thinking of the manner of his sermons, as well as the matter of them, and in studying to make himself an acceptable and accomplished preacher, as well as an instructive one. And well had it been for the succeeding ministry of New England, if in this respect he had been more closely imitated. CHAPTER IV. Course of Mr. Mather in the controversy respecting infant baptism. His views of religious liberty. His opinions respecting the personal reign of Christ. Death of his father and brother. Severe sickness and recovery. WHEN Mr. Mather returned from Europe, in 1661, he found the churches and ministers of New England deeply agitated with a controversy respecting the church state of their posterity, and the right of those who were not members in full communion to bring their children to baptism. The older churches had now been established from twenty to thirty years, in which time a generation had risen up, many of whom did not regard themselves as regenerated persons. They were, in general, of sober life, but not having experienced the grace of God in their hearts, they could not in conscience apply for admission to the churches, nor if they had applied, could they have been admitted. The consequence was, that their children were not baptized, and were likely to grow up without so much as a nominal connection with the church |