N01545:116
Two discourses showing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of…Two discourses shewing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of…
Two discourses showing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of the righteous. II. The dignity & duty of aged servants of the Lord. : Also, a preface in which the Congregational discipline of the churches in New-England is vindicated, with the authors dying testimony there-unto. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Four lines of quotations]Two discourses shewing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of the righteous. II. The dignity & duty of aged servants of the Lord. : Also, a preface in which the Congregational discipline of the churches in New-England is vindicated, with the authors dying testimony there-unto. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Four lines of quotations]
printed by B. Green for Daniel Henchman, 1716
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.
O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, & be no more at all, Psal 39.13. He did not Pray so, when he was arrived to Seventy Years. No: It is said that then he was full of days. He was satiated, having had enough of the World, and was willing to go out of it. It is a very undesirable thing for a Man to out-live his work. Although if God will have it to be so, His holy will must be humbly & patiently submitted unto. When a Mans work is done he may well desire a dismission. ⟨p. 135⟩When through decay of Age, he can do little or no Service for Christ and for His Church, then to be called out of this, and removed to the better Country, that is an heavenly, is a very desirable Mercy. Why then are some Aged Servants of the Lord, fond of living here still! There is not an Old Man that hears me this day, but let him do two things, which I will mention, and he will be very willing to leave this World as soon as the Lord shall please. One is, Let him think much of Heaven. Let Heaven come into your Minds every day, and often in a day. The more you Meditate on the heavenly World, the more you will long to be there. When Monica (the Pious Praying Mother of the famous Austin) heard Ambrose Preach a Sermon concerning the glory of Heaven, the Meditation of it was rapturous to her. Is there (said she) such glory in Heaven! why then do I ⟨p. 136⟩stay here any longer! And the other thing to be done, is, Get a well grounded Assurance that your Names are written in Heaven. Let us do so, and I am certain of it that we shall not be afraid to say with good Old Simeon, Lord, NOW lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace.
O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, & be no more at all, Psal 39.13. He did not Pray so, when he was arrived to Seventy Years. No: It is said that then he was full of dayes. He was satiated, having had enough of the World, and was willing to go out of it. It is a very undesirable thing for a Man to out-live his work. Although if God will have it to be so, His holy will must be humbly & patiently submitted unto. When a Mans work is done he may well desire a dismission. ⟨p. 135⟩When through decay of Age, he can do little or no Service for Christ and for His Church, then to be called out of this, and removed to the better Country, that is an heavenly, is a very desirable Mercy. Why then are some Aged Servants of the Lord, fond of living here still! There is not an Old Man that hears me this day, but let him do two things, which I will mention, and he will be very willing to leave this World as soon as the Lord shall please. One is, Let him think much of Heaven. Let Heaven come into your Minds every day, and often in a day. The more you Meditate on the heavenly World, the more you will long to be there. When Monica (the Pious Praying Mother of the famous Austin) heard Ambrose Preach a Sermon concerning the glory of Heaven, the Meditation of it was rapturous to her. Is there (said she) such glory in Heaven! why then do I