N00341:181
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.
Consider, 2. The Lord expects much fruit from us. ⟨p. 115⟩As He speaks in the 5th of Isaiah, He planted His Vineyard in a very fruitful hill ▪ and then looked that it should bring forth Grape•. Truly so hath God dealt with us, He hath planted us in a very fruitful soil. What Liberties do we enjoy! Mention, if you can, a People in the world, so privileged as we are! So that the Lords Expectations are great concerning us, and woe unto us if we utterly fail him! What Sermons do men hear▪ what Sacraments do they enjoy! What Sabbaths, what Lectures! Yea, and what Providences have passed over us! What Afflictions! What Reproaches I What Sicknesses! God's end in bringing such Afflictions upon His servants, is that so they might bear yet more fruit. Joh. 15.2. Every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit. And how does God purge fruitful branches, but by bringing afflictions upon them, and sanctifying those afflictions to their purgation, that they bring forth yet more fruit to His glory? And what Mercies, what Deliverances have we had, public and personal! Some of us have been pulled out of the Jaws of Death. Perhaps▪ we have been in eminent Dangers at Sea; and what does God expect now but more fruit? Or Sickness has brought us to the gates of the Grave, only ⟨p. 116⟩God hath said, Return again into the world, and let me see you bear much fruit that I may be glorified.
Consider, 2. The Lord expects much fruit from us. ⟨p. 115⟩As He speaks in the 5th of Isaiah, He planted His Vineyard in a very fruitful hill ▪ and then looked that it should bring forth Grape•. Truly so hath God dealt with us, He hath planted us in a very fruitful soyl. What Liberties do we enjoy! Mention, if you can, a People in the world, so priviledg'd as we are! So that the Lords Expectations are great concerning us, and woe unto us if we utterly fail him! What Sermons do men hear what Sacraments do they enjoy! What Sabbaths, what Lectures! Yea, and what Providences have passed over us! What Afflictions! What Reproaches I What Sicknesses! God's end in bringing such Afflictions upon His servants, is that so they might bear yet more fruit.