N00254:104
Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness
Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness: wherein several important duties, are urged, and the evil of divers common sins, is evinced; delivered in sundry sermons. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in New-England. ; [Ten lines of Scripture texts]
printed by Samuel Green upon assignment of Samuel Sewall, 1682
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.
2. The time wherein the means of grace is vouchsafed and continued. This finding time which I am speaking of, is the same with the day for men to know the things of their peace, Now such ⟨p. 42⟩a day do they enjoy that have the Gospel and the means of grace vouchsafed to them. If thou hadst known in this thy day the things that belong unto thy peace, Luk. 19. 42. Whilst Christ and his Messengers were treating with them, about the great and everlasting concernments of their souls, that was their day. This finding time is the accepted time, and the day of Salvation, 2 Cor.6.2. Now when the Gospel is Preached, that's a day for men to look after their Salvation, and a time wherein God will accept of them if they pray unto him, as they should do. It is a fit season for men to be at work whilst the light shineth upon them. So should we be at work about our Salvation, whilst we have the light of the Gospel afforded unto us for that end. The Gospel is compared unto light, Eph. 5. 8. Walk as Children of the light. h. c. as becometh the Gospel. Hence Christ said to the Jews, Joh. 12 35. Yet a little while is the Light with you, walk whilst you have the light, left darkness come upon you; intimating not only that the Lord himself would depart from them, but that the Gospel, and means of grace should be removed from that people. The light of the Gospel showeth men the way to find the Lord. Yea, the Lord is near then. He cometh in the Gospel and offers himself to them, saying, Behold me! behold me! if they will but turn their eyes and look after him. Wherefore the A postle tells the Ephesians ⟨p. 43⟩that Christ came, (i.e. in the chariot of the Gospel) and preached peace to them, Eph. 2.17. This then, is the time to find the Lord in. To this purpose doth the Prophet Isaiah speak (Chap. 55. 6.) saying, Seek the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: q. d. Now is the time when the Lord is rear unto you: even now whilst God is sending his Messengers to reprove and exhort you; now the Lord is near to you, therefore now is a finding time, and should be a praying time. The Lord is then at the very door: