N00686:39
David serving his generation. Or, A sermon showing what is to be done in…David serving his generation. Or, A sermon shewing what is to be done in…
David serving his generation. Or, A sermon showing what is to be done in order to our so serving our generation, as that when we die, we shall enter into a blessed rest. (Wherein some account is given concerning many eminent ministers of Christ at London, as well as in N.E. lastly gone to their rest.) Occasioned by the death, of the Reverend Mr. John Baily, who deceased at Boston in New-England. December 12th 1697. / By Increase Mather, president of Harvard College. ; [Three lines from Numbers]David serving his generation. Or, A sermon shewing what is to be done in order to our so serving our generation, as that when we dy, we shall enter into a blessed rest. (Wherein some assount is given concerning many eminent ministers of Christ at London, as well as in N.E. lastly gone to their rest.) Occasioned by the death, of the Reverend Mr. John Baily, who deceased at Boston in New-England. December 12th 1697. / By Increase Mather, president of Harvard College. ; [Three lines from Numbers]
Boston: printed by B. Green, 1698
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.
But thus for Answer to the Case proposed.
All that I shall say by way of Application is only this.
We see that no Eminency of Usefulness can keep men out of the Grave. A David that Serveth his Generation with the greatest industry and fidelity, must fall asleep, and see Corruption. When his work is done, he must go to Rest in the Bed of the Grave; and a sweet Rest and Repose will it be. It is said of Merciful men, & Righteous men; yea, of Serviceable Josiah's, that they Enter into Peace. So they do at the Hour of Death in respect of their Souls, and they shall rest in their Beds, namely in respect o• their Bodies, which are Laid in the Grave. Isa 57.1, 2. The Psalmist takes notice that Wise men Die as well as the Fool, and the brutish person. Psal. 49.10. So the most Useful me••dy, as also those who are telluris inutile pondus Burdens on the Face of the Earth, and it may be Scandals to the Generation whereof they are. Yea, it is one of the Mysteries of Divine Providence, that eminently Useful men are taken away by Death, when others that only number the Ground, are suffered to live. A• Holy Minister, (who has lived Sermons as wel• as Preached them) Dyes, when others wh• ⟨p. 34⟩have been a reproach to the Gospel, and to all Religion, are living still.
We see that no Eminency of Usefulness can keep men out of the Grave. A David that Serveth his Generation with the greatest industry and fidelity, must fall asleep, and see Corruption. When his work is done, he must go to Rest in the Bed of the Grave; and a sweet Rest and Repose will it be. It is said of Merciful men, & Righteous men; yea, of Serviceable Josias's, that they Enter into Peace. So they do at the Hour of Death in respect of their Souls, and they shall rest in their Beds, namely in respect o their Bodies, which are Laid in the Grave. Isa 57.1, 2. The Psalmist takes notice that Wise men Dy as well as the Fool, and the bruitish person.