N00341:87
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.
1. What is it that sinners are to turn from? It is from Sin, which is an unprofitable thing. Men don't use to stand considering whether they shall retain a thing which they are sure they shall never gain any thing by: Now they may be sure they shall never gain any thing by sin. Rom, 6.21. What fruit had you of those things whereof ye are now ashamed? There is nothing but shame and Sorrow to be gained by sin. Yea, it is not only an unprofitable, but a hurtful thing. If a man were running into the mouth of a bloody serpent ready to devour him, would he stand pausing upon it whether he should turn back? No, he would ⟨p. 47⟩presently turn about. Sin is a cruel Serpent which devoureth immortal souls, and therefore it is the greatest madness in the world for men to make a question whether he should not presently turn from such an evil.
1. What is it that sinners are to turn from? It is from Sin, which is an unprofitable thing. Men don't use to stand considering whether they shall retain a thing which they are sure they shall never gain any thing by: Now they may be sure they shall never gain any thing by sin. Rom, 6.21. What fruit had you of those things whereof ye are now ashamed? There is nothing but shame and Sorrow to be gained by sin. Yea, it is not only an unprofitable, but a hurtful thing. If a man were running into the mouth of a bloudy serpent ready to devour him, would he stand pausing upon it whether he should turn back? No, he would ⟨p. 47⟩presently turn about. Sin is a cruel Serpent which devoureth immortal souls, and therefore it is the greatest madness in the world for men to make a question whether he should not presently turn from such an evil.
2. Who is it that sinners are to turn unto? It is unto God in Jesus Christ. Joel. 2.12 Turn you even to me with all your heart, saith the Lord. Even unto that God who is the Fountain of Living water. He in whose favour is Life, and whose Loving Kindness is better than life it self. He who will give Grace and Glory, and will with-hold no good thing from them that shall turn unto him.