N01667:37
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.
PROPOSITION, III. The true Believer on Jesus Christ is as sure to have Everlasting Life given to him, as if he was now in the actual and full Enjoyment of it.
Hence it is Expressed in the present Tense, he hath, and not he shall have (though that's intended) Everlasting Life. In the Scripture things future are sometimes spoken of as if they were present, intimating the undoubted certainty of their accomplishment. Thus, Isai. 9.1. For unto us a Child is born. The Prophet wrote those words above seven hundred Years, before that Child was born, but it was as sure to be as if it had been already. So is the Believers Enjoyment of Eternal Life in Heaven. He now hath Everlasting Life,
1. In that he now hath an Interest in Christ. 1 Joh. 5.12. He that hath the Son hath Life. The Believer Now hath the Son. He is united to Christ: As the branch is united to the vine, and one with it. Christ is the vine, Believers are branches in that vine: As the branches are part of the body of the vine, so is every Believer a part of Christs Mystical body. The Mystical Union between Christ and the Believer is like the Natural Union which is between the head and the ⟨p. 26⟩body. Believers on Earth in respect of their blessed head are in heaven already. God hath made them to sit in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus,