N00196:20
Pray for the rising generation, or A sermon wherein godly parents are encouraged, to…
Pray for the rising generation, or A sermon wherein godly parents are encouraged, to pray and believe for their children, preached the third day of the fifth month, 1678. which day was set apart by the Second Church in Boston in New-England, humbly to seek unto God by fasting and prayer, for a spirit of converting grace, to be poured out upon the children and rising generation in New-England. / By Increase Mather, teacher of that church. ; [Seven lines of quotations]
printed by Samuel Green, 1678
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.
Now for the clearing of this Doctrine, four things may be enquired into? (1) What is here meant by the Spirit? (2) What is implied in this pouring the Spirit. (3) How it doth appear that the pouring of the Spirit upon Children is a great Blessing? (4) The reason why the Lord hath made such a promise.
Now for the clearing of this Doctrine, four things may be enquired into? (1) What is here meant by the Spirit? (2) What is implyed in this pouring the Spirit. (3) How it doth appear that the pouring of the Spirit upon Children is a great Blessing? (4) The reason why the Lord hath made such a promise.
Q. 1. What is here meant by the Spirit?
Ans. The Spirit is not here taken in a personal sense;1 although it be a glorious Truth, that the Holy Ghost himself doth dwell in the hearts of Believers, yet he is not as to his person said to be poured on men; for so he is equally in all the Saints: whereas this expression of Pouring the Spirit intimates a larger communication of him to some then unto others. Wherefore the Phrase is Metonymical, that being affirmed of the cause, which is proper to the effect. In respect of his effects and operations the Holy Ghost is poured forth upon his Servants.
Ans. The Spirit is not here taken in a personal sence;1 although it be a glorious Truth, that the Holy Ghost himself doth dwell in the hearts of Believers, yet he is not as to his person said to be poured on men; for so he is equally in all the Saints: whereas this expression of Pouring the Spirit intimates a larger communication of him to some then unto others. Wherefore the Phrase is Metonymical, that being affirmed of the cause, which is proper to the effect. In respect of his effects and operations the Holy Ghost is poured forth upon his Servants.