A50229:113
A sermon, occasioned
A sermon, occasioned by the execution of a man found guilty of murder, preached at Boston in N.E., March 11th, 1685/6 (together with the confession, last expressions, & solemn warning of the murderer to all persons, especially to young men, to beware of those sins which brought him to his miserable end) / by Increase Mather ...
Boston: printed by R.P., 1687
Title page typeset from the transcription.
The CALL of the GOSPEL, unto All the Ends of the Earth; Apply'd esp… › Part
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.
It is highly expedient that you should speedily set apart a time to make attempts about the grand work of Looking unto Jesus Christ. It is indeed true, that an unbeliever hath no other Assurance of prospering in his Essays to break the iron Prison doors of his unbelief, but such an Who can tell? such an Who knows such an It may be, as the Prophets of old were wont much to insist upon. If you set your selves to believe in your own strength, the Faith of Simon Magus is all you are like to attain unto. Yet you may be quickened to do what you can, from the renowned History of the man with the withered hand in Mat. 13. 13. unto whom Jesus saying, stretch forth thy hand; he tried to do it without any demur at the seeming unsuitableness of the Injunction, and Behold he stretched it forth and it was restored.
It is highly expedient that you should speedily set apart a time to make attempts about the grand work of Looking unto Jesus Christ. It is indeed true, that an unbeliever hath no other Assureance of prospering in his Essayes to break the iron Prison doors of his unbelief, but such an Who can tell? such an Who knowes such an It may be, as the Prophets of old were wont much to insist upon. If you set your selvs to believe in your own strength, the Faith of Simon Magus is all you are like to attain unto. Yet you may be quickned to do what you can, from the renowned History of the man with the withred hand in Mat. 13. 13. unto whom Jesus saying, stretch forth thy hand; he tryed to do it without any demurr at the seeming unsuitableness of the Injunction, and Behold he stretched it forth and it was restored.
Let this be next premised. It is extremely requisite that this rare work of Looking unto Jesus Christ should be often renewed. Sometimes perhaps the spirit of Jealousy will come upon you, you will be fearing, Alas, I did never yet aright ⟨p. 64⟩look unto Jesus Christ! Now the best way •• settle these troubled waters, will be that which Jonah had, I will look yet AGAIN. And O remember, that to do this work often, over & over again, is a thing than which nothing can more tend to your Victory over all the Adversaries of your endless Welfare. Yea, sometimes if an Half or a Whole of a day, were purposely laid out i this work, the time will be found not to have in lost when Eternity shall dawn upon the world. Hence in