N01667:58
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. 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, Psal. 36.8. It is a joyful Life, they live there: Their hearts will be as full of joy as ever they can hold. Psal. 16.11. Fullness of Joy. Nay, more joy than their hearts are able to hold. Matth. 25.21. Well done faithful Servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. When in this World joy enters into the Soul of the Believer, but when in Heaven, He enters into joy. The joy exceeds there.
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⟩