N01667:135
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.
3. There are Times when the Holy Spirit strives with Sinners, that is their Day of Grace. ⟨p. 80⟩It was the Spirit of Christ that did strive with the Sinners of the Old World before the flood, and then they had a blessed day of Grace, 1 Pet. 3.18, 19. but they did not hear his Voice in that their day. When Sinners turn out of the way in which they should go, they oft hear a Voice behind them saying, This is the way walk in it, Isai. 30.21. The Voice of Christs Word and Spirit directs them into the right way. Blessed are they that hear it, and obey it. There are Saving Operations of the Holy Spirit on the Souls of the Elect. There are also Common Operations thereof in the Hearts of Reprobates, by which Christ is speaking to them, and striving with them, and Grace is offered to them. Sometimes the Holy Spirit strives by great Illuminations in the Mind. Some have proved total and final Apostates, and Committed the Unpardonable Sin; Who were once Enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the World to come, Heb. 6.3, 4. Sometimes the Holy Spirit strives with Sinners by Convincing them of their Sin and Misery, and awakening their Consciences with dismal fears of a Wrath to come. The Scripture speaks of a Spirit of Bondage unto fear, Rom. 8.15 Many a Sinner has Experience of it. He hears that he has transgressed the Law of God, and is bound over to the Great Assizes. He is ⟨p. 81⟩afraid of Death and Hell. O what will become of me in another World to all Eternity! Would he hearken to the Voice of Christ in these Convictions, it may be they Would issue in Conversion and Salvation. There was something of this Spirit of bondage unto fear in Felix, when he heard Paul Preach an awakening Sermon concerning Righteousness, and Temperance, and Judgment to come, Felix Trembled, Act. 24.25