N00341:172
The greatest sinners exhorted and encouraged to come to Christ, and that now without…
The greatest sinners exhorted and encouraged to come to Christ, and that now without delaying. Also, the exceeding danger of men's deferring their repentance. : Together with a discourse about the day of judgement. And on several other subjects. / By Increase Mather teacher of a church at Boston in N. England. ; [Six lines of Scripture texts]
printed by R.P. for Joseph Brunning i.e, 1686
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Fruitful Christians glorify God.Fruitful Christians glorifie God.
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.
A young man that is always doing good, the Great God never looketh upon him but with delight.
A young man that is alwayes doing good, the Great God never looketh upon him but with delight.
Instr. 2. Hence it is a very great mercy to have an opportunity of being fruitful. there is no creature capable of a greater happiness than to be an active instrument of glorifying God. Therefore opportunities that way are singular mercies. I remember an eminent Divine that was wont to say, My opportunities are my greatest riches. To be improved in public Service for God amongst his people is a wonwonderful ⟨p. 109⟩favour; and it is a very evil thing to decline all such advantages for Service to the Name of God. Not that a man is always bound to make use of every opportunity: For God may be so gracious to him, as to put many great opportunities into his hands, more than he can make use of. And then he must consider with himself, In which of these shall I be like to bring the greatest and most lasting glory to the Name of God? and let him be sure to do that. But when men shall out of passion or discontent, or for any carnal ends, decline all public Service for Christ and for his People, it is certain that their hearts are not set upon glorifying God as they ought to be, and that they don't act grace but corruption. Moreover, It is a great happiness to be called to Suffer for God's Name and Truth. Phil. 1.29. Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but to s•ffer for his sake. Not that Sufferings are in themselves desirable, only as then and thereby we have an opportunity to glorify God. In that respect if you be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are you, for on your part He is glorified. Its then a great mercy to have an opportunity to be either doing or suffering for Christ.
Instr. 2. Hence it is a very great mercy to have an oportunity of being fruitful. there is no creature capable of a greater happiness than to be an active instrument of glorifying God. Therefore opportunities that way are singular mercies. I remember an eminent Divine that was wont to say, My opportunities are my greatest riches. To be improved in publique Service for God amongst his people is a wonwonderful