N00318:41
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.
Use. 2. Hence we ought to nourish hope concerning such children, & that above what can be said with respect to the Children of other parents. But some one may object & say, Have not good men ⟨p. 22⟩bad Children? Godly men ungodly Children? How then is there Ground of Hope with respect unto such Children in Peculiarwise?
Answ. This is sadly true; the Most High to show the sovereignty of his Grace, sometimes chooseth some of the Children of a wicked parent, and refuseth some of those who are the off-spring of godly parents; Also to show that it is not in the power of men to give grace, no not in the power of godly men, so much as to their own Children; sometimes such children prove very unlike unto their godly parents. It was therefore said to Samuel, thy sons do not walk in thy ways, 1. Sam. 8.5. And that profane Je•oiakim ▪ how unlike was he to his blessed Father Josiah? It is noted concerning Josiah, that when the word of God was read to him, he rent his clothes, humbled himself, and was afraid of the Lords holy displeasure; but Jehoiakim after three or four leaves were read, he took his pen-knife, and cut the Roll in pieces, and burnt it in the fire, he was not afraid nor rent his Clothes, Jer. 36.23, 24. Yet this is further to be added and considered that when the Children of good men are unlike their parents in grace and Holiness it proceeds not from any unfaithfulness in the blessed God as to his Covenant with such parents, or with their children. for
Answ. This is sadly true; the Most High to shew the soveraignty of his Grace, sometimes chooseth some of the Children of a wicked parent, and refuseth some of those who are the off-spring of godly parents; Also to shew that it is not in the power of men to give grace, no not in the power of godly men, so much as to their own Children; sometimes such children prove very unlike unto their godly parents. It was therefore said to Samuel, thy sons do not walk in thy wayes,