N00318:85
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.
3. From the evil that is in forsaking him; In the words now before us; which though they were spoken to Solomon, yet were they of equal Concernment unto others, being circumstanced as he was, h. e. that were of the younger succeeding generation, being also the Children and posterity of godly Parents. Especially the words did and do concern those that are the Posterity of David, that is to say, of those that have bin eminent Servants of God in their Generation. The Doctrine which I would therefore (by the help of Christ) insist on as Conceiving that it may not be altogether unsuitable for this great Audience, is this,
3. From the evil that is in forsaking him; In the words now before us; which though they were spoken to Solomon, yet were they of equal Concernment unto others, being circumstanced as he was, h. e. that were of the younger succeeding generation, being also the Children and posterity of godly Parents. Especially the words did and do concern those that are the Posterity of David, that is to say, of those that have bin eminent Servants of God in their Generation. The Doctrine which I would therefore (by the help of Christ) insist on as Conceiving that it may not be altogether unsutable for this great Audience, is this,
Doct. That if they who are the Children and Posterity of God's eminent Servants shall forsake the Lord, he will cast them of for ever.
In the doctrinal handling of this Truth, there are four things which may be briefly enquired into. 1. When men, especially the Children of Gods servants, may be said to forsake him. 2. What is implied in this casting off for ever? 3. What forsaking of God that is, which will be attended with such Casting off. 4. The Reason of this dreadful Procedure of the Most High towards the Posterity of His People.