N00946:68
Soul-saving Gospel truths. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is showedSoul-saving Gospel truths. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is shewed
Soul-saving Gospel truths. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is showed: I. The unreasonableness of those excuses which men make for their delaying to come to the Lord Jesus for salvation. II. That for men to despair of the forgiveness of their sins because they have been great, is a great evil. III. That every man in the world is going into eternity. / By Increase Mather. ; [Eight lines of Scripture texts]Soul-saving Gospel truths. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is shewed: I. The unreasonableness of those excuses which men make for their delaying to come to the Lord Jesus for salvation. II. That for men to despair of the forgiveness of their sins because they have been great, is a great evil. III. That every man in the world is going into eternity. / By Increase Mather. ; [Eight lines of Scripture texts]
Boston : Sold by Eleazer Phillips., 1703
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.
•. The Hearts of men are exceedingly set on the World: therefore it is that they refuse the invitations of the Gospel. Thus Mat. 22. 5 when they were invited to the great Supper, one went to his Farm, and another to his Merchandise, and made light of that invitation. Wherefore is it that men make light of the Gospel ⟨p. 57⟩offer? It is because the Farm or Merchandise has their hearts. If they could have Christ & the world too, it would please them. If they were sure of gaining the world by coming to Christ, they would say as a famous Pagan once did, […] me a good rich Bishopric and I will turn Christian. But Christ promises nothing of that Nature, but the contrary, and says, If any will come to him and be his Disciples, they must look for Poverty, Crosses and Afflictions in the world. And that if they do any service for him, or suffer for his sake, they must look for their Recompense not in this, but in another World. Now when they heir of this, they fly off from CHRIST, and don't care to come to him on such terms as these are. One made a very fair profession, Lord (says hereto Christ) I will follow thee whither soever thou […], Mat. 8▪ 19. Says Christ to him, ⟨p. 58⟩The Son of Man ha• not where to lay his head. If thou wilt follow me, it may be thou shalt not have an House to put thine head in, but must be a poor man all thy days. Then you hear no more of him. Another came to Christ praying an Answer to the greatest Case of Conscience that could be propounded, Namely, What he must do to obtain Eternal Life? Christ to try the man, bid him sell all that he had, and give to the Poor, and tells him he should have Treasures in Heaven. But 'tis said, Mat. 19. 22 He went away sorrowful for he had great Possessions. Those possessions kept him from closing with Christ on the terms of the Gospel. If men are resolved to have the World whatever comes on it, they will not come to Christ. If a man is resolved that he will have worldly Honours, 'tis impossible he should be a Believer on Christ,