N01667:56
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.
USE, III.
Believers on CHRIST are the happiest Men in the World. The World looks on them as the unhappiest. And the truth is, that if there were no other World […] this, many of them would be the miserablest Men, as before was intimated, because they are despised, hated, reproached more than any Men: but in a World yet to come, they will receive that which shall compensate, and infinitely transcend all their sufferings here. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed. Two particulars may be mentioned, which Confirm the Truth of the Inference now before us.
Believers on CHRIST are the happiest Men in the World. The World looks on them as the unhappiest. And the truth is, that if there were no other World 〈…〉 this, many of them would be the miserablest Men, as before was intimated, because they are despised, hated, reproached more than any Men: but in a World yet to come, they will receive that which shall compensate, and infinitely transcend all their sufferings here. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed. Two particulars may be mentioned, which Confirm the Truth of the Inference now before us.
1. The Life which Believers have through Jesus Christ a right and title unto, is the happiest life that can be desired. Life is of all things the most desirable. Happiness is called Life. Psal. 34.12. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that ⟨p. 38⟩he may see good. Doth not every Man desire that life in which happiness doth consist? True happiness does not consist in an Earthly sensual Life, for then the vilest of Men would be happier than the best of Men, nay brute beasts some of which live hundreds of years, would be happier than Men. But in a Spiritual Celestial Life there is happiness. Such a Life as the Angels of Heaven live, who are always beholding the face of God, is blessedness. That's the Life which Believers shall live in another and a better World. Do Riches make life desirable? What are earthly Riches compared with Heavenly? Follow me, (saith Christ) and thou shalt have Treasure in Heaven. O the Riches of the Glory of that Inheritance! Does Pleasures make Life desirable? Spiritual and Celestial Pleasures are the most desirable. Believers when once in Heaven shall be made to drink of the River of those pleasures,