N00297:78
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.
In which respect such seasons should earnestly be laid hold on, You read in the fifth of John, concerning an impotent man that lay waiting at the Pools of Bethesda, and Christ finding him there, he was healed: Had not the man lain at the Pools of Bethesda, Christ had not found him there; and had not Christ found him there, he had not been healed. Now the Ordinances of God are the pools of Bethesda, if Christ find men there, who knoweth but that Grace and life may be given into their Souls; but if they be not there, they keep themselves out of the way of a blessing.
In which respect such seasons should earnestly be laid hold on, You read in the fifth of John, concerning an impotent man that lay waiting at the Pools of Bethesda, and Christ finding him there, he was healed: Had not the man layen at the Pools of Bethesda, Christ had not found him there; and had not Christ found him there, he had not been healed. Now the Ordinances of God are the pools of Bethesda, if Christ find men there, who knoweth but that Grace and life may be given into their Souls; but if they be not there, they keep themselves out of the way of a blessing.
3. The time of prosperity is a season which ought to be well improved: Thus you find David calling upon the Princes of Israel, 1 Chron. 22. 11, 18, 19. Is not the Lord your God with you? hath he not given you rest on every side? now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. It is (saith he) a prosperous season with you, and therefore now be looking after God, and the things of God; and indeed this is the most commodious season. Husbandmen you know will take the season whilst the Sun shineth, and the weather is favourable, to be gathering in the fruits of the Earth: So if men would be laying in for Eternity, if they would be laying up in store for themselves a good Foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of Eternal Life, it will be their Wisdom to improve the time of prosperity in order thereunto. As now, if God give unto a man a time of health and strength, let him improve it, in order to making his peace with God, and promoting the eternal welfare of his own Soul. Thus the Holy Ghost by Solomon doth exhort