N00341:84
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.
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.
Propos. 3. Every sinner unto whom the Word of God comes, is bound to turn from his evil way. The first thing which God required of man was that he should not sin at all. The Law required that: nor does the Law speak any thing of Repentance, but the Gospel does. The Law requireth that men should not turn from God; The Gospel requireth that men having turned from God, should turn to him again. Faith and Repentance are the great duties required in the Gospel. This was the Scope and sum of all the Apostles preaching. Act. 20▪21. Testifying both to the Jews and also to ⟨p. 43⟩the Greeks, Repentance towards God, and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And this Commandment reacheth every sinner where the Gospel cometh. Chapt. 17.30. Now God commandeth all men every where to repent. True Repentance consisteth chiefly in Turning from sin. Hence it is sometimes called Conversion. When a man is gone out of the right way, and turns back again, that's Conversion. So tis with sinners: They are all gone astray; but God in the word of the Gospel calls aloud to them that they should turn back again. And that turning from sin which the Word of God requireth, is to be both External and Internal. It is necessary that a Sinner should lead a new life, that his outward Actions, and Conversation should be Reformed. Jer. 7.3. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, but that's not all which God requireth. He calls for the Heart. Many a man turns from sin outwardly for fear of Punishment either from God or man, who yet loveth it in his heart still. But the Word of God requireth that men should hate sin. Rom. 12.9. Abhor that which is evil. When a mans heart within him is turned and set against sin▪ as sin, then he has truly experienced that Conversion which the Word of God requireth. Ezek. 18.31. Cast away from you ⟨p. 44⟩all your Transgressions, and make you a new heart. That's a new heart which hates Sin and loveth Holiness. And that Sinners might be persuaded to this turning, the Word of God is full of gracious Promises unto repenting, returning sinners. God in his Word assureth them, that they shall find mercy, whatever their Provocations and Rebellions have been.