N00318:255
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.
Moreover, Prayer is needful upon this account, in that Conversions are become rare in this age of the world. They that have their thoughts exercised in discerning things of this nature, have sad apprehensions with reference unto this matter: That the work of Conversion hath been at a great stand in the world: In the last age, in the days of our Fathers, in other parts of the world, scarce *a Sermon preached but some evidently converted; yea, sometimes hundreds in a Sermon: which of us can say we have seen the like? Clear sound Conversions are not frequent in some Congregations. The body of the rising Generation is a poor perishing, unconverted, and (except the Lord pour down his spirit) an undone Generation. Many that are Profane, Drunkards, Swearers, lascivious, Scoffers at the power of godliness, despisers of those that are good, proud, disobedient ⟨p. 182⟩Creatures, God from heaven pity them! Others that are only civil, and outwardly conformed to good order, by reason of their education, but never knew what the New birth means; pray for them that they may not only come near, but enter into the Kingdom of God.
Moreover, Prayer is needful upon this account, in that Conversions are become rare in this age of the world. They that have their thoughts exercised in discerning things of this nature, have sad apprehensions with reference unto this matter: That the work of Conversion hath been at a great stand in the world: In the last age, in the dayes of our Fathers, in other parts of the world, scarce *a Sermon preached but some evidently converted; yea, sometimes hundreds in a Sermon: which of us can say we have seen the like? Clear sound Conversions are not frequent in some Congregations. The body of the rising Generation is a poor perishing, unconverted, and (except the Lord pour down his spirit) an undone Generation. Many that are Profane, Drunkards, Swearers, lascivious, Scoffers at ye power of godliness, despisers of those that are good, proud, disobedient ⟨p. 182⟩Creatures, God from heaven pitty them! Others that are only civil, and outwardly conformed to good order, by reason of their education, but never knew what the New birth meanes; pray for them that they may not only come near, but enter into the Kingdome of God.