N01667:215
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
The Work of the Ministry described, in an Ordination Sermon.
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.
Cambridge was lifted up to Heaven when that light was shining here, (the Lord grant that he who is to be Ordained this day, may be like that Predecessor in whose Light all New-England rejoiced) He gave me a Word of Advice, which I hope I have been the better for it, for more than threescore Years. I was then a Young Man, Eighteen Years Old, engaged in a Voyage for England, when I took my leave of him, his Advice to me was, Keep out of all Company whatsoever as far as the rules of Christianity and Civility will allow, for you will surely find that for the most part, the time spent in your Study will be time most profitably spent. I have found his Advice good and true, and have very much Endeavoured to order my Conversation accordingly from my Youth unto this day, I hope not altogether without benefit to some others as well as to my self.
Cambridge was lifted up to Heaven when that light was shining here, (the Lord grant that he who is to be Ordained this day, may be like that Predecessor in whose Light all New-England rejoyced) He gave me a Word of Advice, which I hope I have been the better for it, for more than threescore Years. I was then a Young Man, Eighteen Years Old, ingaged in a Voyage for England, when I took my leave of him, his Advice to me was, Keep out of all Company whatsoever as far as the rules of Christianity and Civility will allow, for you will surely find that for the most part, the time spent in your Study will be time most profitably spent. I have found his Advice good and true, and have very much Endeavoured to order my Conversation accordingly from my Youth unto this day, I hope not altogether without benefit to some others as well as to my self.
I shall not enlarge on Motives, in which either they that design the Ministry, or such as are already engaged in it may be concerned. I need not to say to you, That an Unfaithful Minister is the Unhappiest Man in the World. A fearful thing it is to Trifle in that Work. Qui ludit in Cathedra, lugebit in gehenna, is a true saying and a terrible one. For one that has ⟨p. 138⟩showed others the way to Heaven to fall short of it himself, how dismal is the thought of it? Ministers are called Angels. If one of them fall short of Heaven, an Angel falls from Heaven. How amazing is it?