N00318:75
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.
To the Reader.
The Title-Page prefixed to this Discourse, intimateth the Time and Occasion of its delivery. I had no cause to (nor did I) expect that it would fall to my Lot to speak, before the Choice was made; if I had I would have used means to prevent that trouble from coming upon my self or others. But it may be God did it to prove me and see whether I would please men or Christ. And I hope I may (in some measure) say after the Apostle, We are bold in our God to speak. Our Exhortation was not of Deceit, but even so we speak not as pleasing men but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, nor of men sought we glory. That great Reformer in Scotland, when upon his Death-bed, could say with comfort, That I did forbear none of what Condition soever, I did it out of the fear of my God, who hath placed me in the Function of his Ministry, and I know will bring me to an account. Even so I must confess, the awful sense of the great opportunity which the Lord put into my hands to discharge my Conscience, in being witness to His Name and Truth, and of the account which I certainly know I must give to Him, caused me to speak as I did. (And to avoid more controversial discourses) There is indeed one particular insisted on, which is now become a matter of Scruple ⟨image ?⟩and distaste to some amongst us, viz. that which concerns the Magistrates power in matters of Religion. But as it was by me either intended or expressed, I know not to this hour why any one should be offended at it. I may better speak in this cause than some others, as having my self had experience what it is to have Conscience imposed on, and therefore would be loth that any truly conscientious should be burdened; and it is sufficiently known that I have a greater latitude and Indulgence in the point of Toleration, than many better than my self have. Nevertheless I judge it most unreasonable that pretended Liberty of Conscience should be an Asylum for the profanest errors to take Sanctuary in: As though men must therefore have Liberty to profane Sabbaths or Sacraments, or set up an Altar against the Lord's Altar ▪ and their Threshold by his Threshold, & their Posts by his Posts, when and where they please: