N00318:191
A call from heaven, to the present and succeeding generations or A discourse wherein…
A call from heaven, to the present and succeeding generations or A discourse wherein is showed I. That the children of godly parents are under special advantages and encouragements to seek the Lord. : II. The exceeding danger of apostasy, especially as to those that are the children and posterity of such as have been eminent for God in their generation. : III. That young men ought to remember God their creator. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church in Boston in N. England.A call from heaven, to the present and succeeding generations or A discourse wherein is shewed I. That the children of godly parents are under special advantages and encouragements to seek the Lord. : II. The exceeding danger of apostasie, especially as to those that are the children and posterity of such as have been eminent for God in their generation. : III. That young men ought to remember God their creator. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church in Boston in N. England.
Boston: printed by R.P. i.e for I. Brunning i.e, 1685
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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. Consider how pleasing it will be to the Lord if you do indeed remember him in the days of your Youth. Jer. 2.2. I remember the kindness of thy youth. You heard but now how the Lord is pleased with first-fruits. When Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock, — the Lord had respect to Abel and his offering. Gen. 4.4. We read also how the Lord chose the Almond tree, Numb. 17.8. now that's the first tree that Blossoms. The fruit of it is ripe in the spring, †Yea (Writers affirm, in the first month of ⟨p. 147⟩the year: So when young men shall bring forth the fruit of repentance, Faith and Holiness, that pleaseth the Lord. He hath a special delight in Young men who truly fear and serve him, Hos. 11.1. When Israel was a child then I loved him. One of the Ancients observeth that Christ loved his youngest disciple best. John was the beloved disciple, & he is reported to be younger at his first Calling then any of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus. And we find in Scripture how the Lord blessed little children when they came to him, or were brought to him Mark. 10.13, 14, 15, 16. They brought young children to him — and when Jesus saw it — he said, suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, — and he took them up in his arms and blessed them. You young Ones hearken, would you have the Son of God to bless you? O come to him now, in the days of your youth and he will surely bless you, for his Arms are open to receive you. And such are the special subjects of a gracious promise Pro. 8.17. They that seek me early shall find me. If you will be persuaded to seek the Lord whilst it is yet early days with you, Christ hath promised that you shall find him, and everlasting life and happiness by him.