N01667:7
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.
The PREFACE.
THE Sermons Emitted herewith, are very mean, plain, ordinary Discourses, like others of the same Author. They that have Sermons Published by me Fifty Years ago, if they compare them with these Composures, will find them to be of the same strain. I must confess that I have from my Youth effected a Plain, Scriptural way of Preaching. So have I lived, and so let me dye.
I have been very much urged, & by many, to Publish a considerable Number of Discourses on those Eight Characters of a blessed Man (commonly called the Beatitudes) in Christs admirable Sermon on the Mount. But I must Pray my Friends not to be troubled at my not complying with their importunity in that matter; Unless some One that has the Pen of a ready Writer shall transcribe Notes taken in short hand (whom I cannot persuade to spend time in so unprofitable an undertaking) I am not able to do it. Forty Years ago, I could ⟨image ?⟩Preach every Week, and a Monthly Lecture, & Print many Sermons, & some other Books which cost me more Reading & hard Study than the Preaching of many Sermons would have done. I cannot do now as once I could. I find a difference between Forty Years of Age and almost Fourscore. I have cause to admire the Mercy of GOD, that at such an Age I am able (by the help of Christ) to attend Public Labours (although' not so frequently as in my Youth) in so large a Congregation as that where the Divine Providence has cast my lot, & carried me through more than six & fifty Years Temptations & Difficulties. I have great reason with thankfulness unto Christ, to acknowledge the continued Love of the Lords People. May I be Serviceable among them whilst in the World, & leave those things with them, which shall be for their Edification, when I shall be gone to that World, where of Later Years I have longed to be.