N01377:26
The believers gain by death
The believers gain by death: opened and applied in a sermon. Wherein is showed, who are they that live to Christ, and how death will be gainful to all that do so. Upon the death of a valuable relative. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Six lines of quotations]The believers gain by death: opened and applyed in a sermon. Wherein is shewed, who are they that live to Christ, and how death will be gainful to all that do so. Upon the death of a valuable relative. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Six lines of quotations]
Boston: printed by B.G for S. Gerrish, 1713
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.
(4.) We manifest our Fidelity to Christ▪ when we Serve & Honour Him with whatever Talents He bestows upon us. In the Parable of the Talents, it was said to him that used his Talents well (whether they were more or fewer) Well done thou faithful Servant, Math. 25. 23. The Lord does not commit Talents to us for our own use only, but that we should use them to promote His Interest: We are but ⟨p. 14⟩Stewards, If we honour Him who is our Lord, with our betrustment, we shall then be owned by Him as faithful Stewards Luk 12 42. Riches are a Talent which some have committed to them. They that Live to Christ, will promote His Interest with their Estates. They will Honour God with their Substance. Time is a precious Talent. He that lives to Christ, will be very careful to spend his Time as that he may be able to give a good account to Christ concerning it. Health is a Talent: He will Serve Christ with his Health. An Eminency in Parts Natural & Acquired A Strong Memory, a great measure of Knowledge and Learning, are Talents. He that can say For me to Live is Christ, will Serve & Glorify Him with his Time, Health, and all his Abilities. All shall be for Christ. We proceed to the Second Enquiry. viz.
Quest 2. How does it appear that such may be assured that for them to dye will be Gain?
Answ. They may be assured of it from the promise of Christ. He says, Be thou faithful to death, and I will give thee a crown of Life, Rev. 2. 10 Continue to be faithful to the End of thy days (says Christ) & then when Death comes, thou shalt have a crown of Life: Is not that Gain? Is not a Crown, and a Crown of Life, and that Life an Eternal Life, great Gain? Christ has promised his Servants that when their work is done (as at death it is) they shall be rewarded for what they have done for Him. The more work any man does for Christ, the more wages, the greater will be the reward. Indeed, they shall not receive their full reward until the Resurrection at the last day Nevertheless, they shall receive a blessed part of it, when they leave this World for the Enjoyment of the heavenly World.