N00254:374
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.
Remember what the Prophet said to Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. 10. 2. shouldst thou love those that bate the Lord; therefore wrath from the Lord is upon thee. So I say, shouldst thou sit with vain persons? shouldst thou frequent their houses? shouldst thou choose to travel abroad with such companions? Therefore wrath from the Lord is upon thee.
Remember what the Prophet said to Johoshaphat, 2 Chron. 10. 2. shouldst thou love those that bate the Lord; therefore wrath from the Lord is upon thee. So I say, shouldst thou sit with vain persons? shouldst thou frequent their houses? shouldst thou chuse to travel abroad with such companions? Therefore wrath from the Lord is upon thee.
Consider 2. You would not be with s••k company hereafter.
You would not choose to be amongst such in ⟨p. 187⟩the other world. You would be loth to go where their souls shall go at the hour of death. David having said that he neither did nor would sit with the wicked, might well pray as in the ninth verse of this Psalm, Gather not my soul with sinners. Since I loved not their company here, when I die let not my soul be gathered to that Hell where they must go. It is reported concerning Dr. Preston, that when he was dying, he had that expression. I am persuaded God will not now send we to be amongst wicked men, for be knoweth, I did not delight in their company whilst in this World. Men at death are gathered to their people. They change their place but not their company. A godly man, when he goeth out of this World is gathered to his People, his Soul goeth to be with the Souls of those that he most of all delighted to be with here. And when a wicked man dieth, be goeth to his People, his Soul is then gathered with sinners, he is carried away to be amongst the Spirits that are in Prison. If you would not be amongst them after death, do not choose to be amongst them now. And ou would not be found amongst such company at the day of Judgement. When vain companions, shall all stand at the left hand of Jesus Christ the Son of God and Judge of the World, at the last and great day, you would be loth to be seen amongst them then. And will you sit with them now? Know you not, that when you choose your Companions,