N00231:48
Returning unto God the great concernment of a covenant people. Or A sermon preached…
Returning unto God the great concernment of a covenant people. Or A sermon preached to the Second Church in Boston in New-England, March 17. 1679.80. when that church did solemnly and explicitly renew their covenant with God, and one with another. By Increase Mather teacher of that church. ; [Ten lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by John Foster, 1680
Returning unto God the great Concernment of a Covenant People.
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.
Answ. Let us now up and be doing. The longer a person or ⟨p. 14⟩a People shall defer their Repentance, the harder work will they find of it: Jer. 13. 23. Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the Leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. Therefore the Lord urgeth men unto present Obedience: Jer. 25. 5. The Lord hath sent unto you all his Servants the Prophets, rising early and sending them,—they said, Turn ye again [Now] every one from his evil way, and from the evil of his doings. Ephraim is an unwise son when he stayeth long in the birth. Is not Repentance a good work? And are not the Expedients in order thereunto good to be attended? Then the sooner we do it, the better. It was sometimes said to the Elders of Judah, Why are ye the last to bring back the King to his house? 2 Sam. 19. 11. Every Church is an house of David (i. e. of Christ the true David) Why should any of us, especially, why should any Churches seek to be the last that do by Renewing their Repentance and solemn Engagements unto the Lord, endeavour to establish Christs Throne amongst us.
Answ. Let us now up and be doing. The longer a person or ⟨p. 14⟩a People shall defer their Repentance, the harder work will they find of it: Jer. 13. 23. Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the Leopard his spots? then may ye also doe good, that are accustomed to doe evill. Therefore the Lord urgeth men unto present Obedience: Jer. 25. 5. The Lord hath sent unto you all his Servants the Prophets, rising early and sending them,—they said, Turn ye again [Now] every one from his evill way, and from the evill of his doings. Ephraim is an unwise son when he stayeth long in the birth. Is not Repentance a good work? And are not the Expedients in order thereunto good to be attended? Then the sooner we doe it, the better. It was sometimes said to the Elders of Judah, Why are ye the last to bring back the King to his house?