N01667:109
Practical truths, plainly delivered
Practical truths, plainly delivered: wherein is showed, I. That true believers on Jesus Christ, shall as certainly enjoy everlasting life in heaven, as if they were there already. II. That there is a blessed marriage between Jesus Christ the son of God, & the true believer. III. That men are infinitely concerned, not only to hear the voice of Christ, but that they do it, to day. IV. The work of the ministry, described, in an ordination sermon. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Seven lines of Scripture texts]Practical truths, plainly delivered: wherein is shewed, I. That true believers on Jesus Christ, shall as certainly enjoy everlasting life in heaven, as if they were there already. II. That there is a blessed marriage between Jesus Christ the son of God, & the true believer. III. That men are infinitely concerned, not only to hear the voice of Christ, but that they do it, to day. IV. The work of the ministry, described, in an ordination sermon. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Seven lines of Scripture texts]
printed by B. Green for Daniel Henchman, 1718
That there is a blessed Marriage between Jesus Christ the Son of GO… › 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.
(2.) Consider what we are. Who or what are we, that Christ the Son of God should give himself to us, and not to Angels. ⟨p. 64⟩Heb. 2.16. He took not the nature of Angels, but the Nature of Man. What is Man that the King of Heaven and Earth should be thus mindful of him? If a Prince should Marry a Peasant, would it not be admired at! To do so is not the manner of Men. There is usually some external Motive that inclines them in their choice. What was it that did Incline Christ to us, but his own Grace and Goodness? Jacob chose Rachel rather than Leah, because of her beauty. But there is nothing to incline Christ to choose his Elect, in them was no beauty, before Christ set his heart upon them. Their beauty is perfect through the Comeliness which he has put upon them. All the Comeliness that the Souls of Believers are set off, and adorned with, is from Christ. But in themselves separate from Christ, they are woeful Creatures. Ezek. 16.5, 6. I saw them when cast out to the loathing of thy Person, when thou wast in thy blood, I said unto thee, live; yea, when thou wast in thy blood, I said unto thee, live. Sometimes Men in their choice look at Birth, and Parentage. Christ did not so, in choosing us. Does he not say Thy Father was an Amorite thy Mother a Hittite. Men look at Portions and Riches we have none. Christ did not choose us for any Riches: He hath chosen the Poor of this World, such as were Morally as well as Literally Poor: Poor as Beggars. Miserable Wretched, Poor, Blind and Naked. So it is ⟨image ?⟩with Men by Nature; they han't so much as Rags to Cover their Nakedness. Now, that Christ should look after such, and choose such, is an Evidence of astonishing Grace.
(2.) Consider what we are. Who or what are we, that Christ the Son of God should give himself to us, and not to Angels. ⟨p. 64⟩Heb. 2.16. He took not the nature of Angels, but the Nature of Man. What is Man that the King of Heaven and Earth should be thus mindful of him? If a Prince should Marry a Peasant, would it not be admired at! To do so is not the manner of Men. There is usually some external Motive that inclines them in their choice. What was it that did Incline Christ to us, but his own Grace and Goodness? Jacob chose Rachel rather than Leah, because of her beauty. But there is nothing to incline Christ to choose his Elect, in them was no beauty, before Christ set his heart upon them. Their beauty is perfect through the Comliness which he has put upon them. All the Comliness that the Souls of Believers are set off, and adorned with, is from Christ. But in themselves separate from Christ, they are woful Creatures.