N00297:41
Some important truths concerning conversion, and the improving seasons of grace; as also about…
Some important truths concerning conversion, and the improving seasons of grace; as also about prayer in families, and in secret: delivered in several sermons; / by Increase Mather.
Boston: printed by Samuel Green for John Griffin, 1684
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.
Having opened and proved the Point, ⟨p. 39⟩we proceed, in the Lords fear, to make some Application of it.
Now by way of Use, I. We may hence infer, That they that are truly and throughly converted to God in Christ, are in a very happy condition. There are two things here that do show the happiness of such Souls: 1. In that a Kingdom is theirs, they do enter upon a Kingdom; therefore sincere Converts are called the children of the Kingdom, Mat. 13. 38. they are such children as have a Kingdom for their inheritance. Amongst men, a Kingdom is the highest dignity; so to show the glorious happiness wherewith such shall be dignified, they are styled Heirs of a Kingdom. 2. Another thing which sets forth their happiness, is the quality of the Kingdom which they shall possess, its an heavenly Kingdom: The Text calls it, the Kingdom of Heaven. All earthly Kingdoms are as nothing, compared with this. This Kingdom of Heaven noteth three things; all which do set forth the wonderful happiness of truly converted ones. 1. It noteth a state of saving sanctifying Grace: oft-times ⟨p. 40⟩in Scripture, the being brought out of a state of Nature into a state of Grace is called entering into the Kingdom, Col. 1. 13. Mat. 21. 13. For then men are delivered out of Satan's, and are become Subjects of the Lords Kingdom. Now they that are brought into a state of grace are happy indeed: for grace is Heaven begun; he that hath Grace, shall as certainly go to heaven, as if he were there already; which may be one reason why this expression, of the Kingdom of heaven, is put to signify a state of Grace. 2. It may note the glory and dominion which the Saints shall possess at the last and great day,