N01488:102
Several sermons wherein is showed, I. That Jesus Christ is a mighty Saviour. II.…Several sermons wherein is shewed, I. That Jesus Christ is a mighty Saviour. II.…
Several sermons wherein is showed, I. That Jesus Christ is a mighty Saviour. II. That God converts his elect some at one age, and some at another, commonly before old age. III. That when godly men dye, angels carry their souls to another and a better world. : With a preface in which there is a brief and true character of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Bridge a lately deceased pastor in one of the churches in Boston. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Four lines of quotations]Several sermons wherein is shewed, I. That Jesus Christ is a mighty Saviour. II. That God converts his elect some at one age, and some at another, commonly before old age. III. That when godly men dye, angels carry their souls to another and a better world. : With a preface in which there is a brief and true character of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Bridge a lately deceased pastor in one of the churches in Boston. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Four lines of quotations]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Benjamin Eliot, 1715
GOD Converts His Elect, Some at one Age, and some at another, Commo… › Application 3: USE III.
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.
USE III.
Let me speak a Word to those that are come to the Eleventh hour of the Day of their Life, and yet have not Obeyed the Call of God. Are there not Old Men who are still in their Natural Unregenerate Estate? Oh do not neglect the Great Salvation any longer Will it not awaken you to consider (I wish you would consider it) that you have but an Hour left you. The Glass of your Life will quickly be run out. Your ⟨p. 91⟩Eternal Salvation depends on the improvement of an Hour. You had need look about you and bestir your selves; your Case is hazardous, yet it is •o▪ desperate and hopeless. God has Called some at the Eleventh Hour, therefore 'tis possible that he may Call you. If you will now at last obey his Call, he will not reject you. Christ has said, Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast cut, Joh. 6.37. He does not say, except he is an Old Man. For all that, Let him come with his Heart and Soul, and Christ will receive him. Therefore despair not. I have elsewhere taken notice that the Blessed Martyr Bilney when he heard a Preacher say in his Sermon, if you that are Old Men should return to God, Do you think that he will accept of you, after you have been serving the Devil so long? Do you think that God will take the Devils leavings? The Martyr was troubled at him, and said that Man did not Preach the Gospel. The Gospel offers Salvation to all Men, Old as well as Young, if any ⟨p. 92⟩will Repent and Believe. Since God Calls you still, he will not refuse you, no not the Oldest Sinner among you all, if you will turn to him with all your Heart. We read in the Gospel concerning a poor Blind Man, that cried to the Lord Jesus to have Mercy on him, Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called, and it was said to the Blind Man, Be of good comfort, he calls thee, Mat. 10.49. So there is this Crevice of hope & comfort left for thee, that hast continued in thy sins to Old Age, Behold, the Lord calls thee […] come and work in his Vineyard. Come then before the Sun is set, and thy Day is done. For thy Life delay not an Hour longer. Thy Time is limited to an Hour, yet if after so long a time of Disobedience, you will this Day hearken to the Voice and Call of God, happy art thou, otherwise Everlastingly Miserable. Think on that Scripture (Old & Young think of it) with which I conclude. Heb.