N01667:133
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
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.
1. A Day of Prosperity is a day of Grace. Often in the Scripture a time of Adversity is denoted by darkness and night; it is Wisdom for Men to mind the concerns of their Souls before that Night overtake them. Jer. 13.16. Give Glory to the Lord your God before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark Mountains. Says the Prophet, ere long you will be carried over the dark Mountains into Captivity; give Glory to God by Repentance before that darkness comes upon you. David said to the Princes of Israel, ⟨p. 78⟩has not God given you rest on every side? Now set you heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Because of the present Peace and Prosperity you have a singular advantage to endeavour after the things wherein your Souls are concerned. Let not the Opportunity slip. 1 Chron. 22.18, 19. Christ said to Jerusalem, O that thou hadst known in this thy day the things which belong to thy Peace, Luke 19.42. The Jews were in great Prosperity when Christ spoke these words, they had Peace and Plenty, and Riches, and Health; but they did not improve their Day, they did not Hear the Voice of Christ in it. They knew not the time of their Visitation; for which cause War, and Famine, and Sickness, and all sorts of Misery overtook them, and overwhelmed them. Men are more capable of minding their Spiritual as well as Temporal Welfare, in a time of Prosperity, than when they are in distressing Misery. Especially they are so in a time of Health, more than when painful diseases are upon them.