N01732:32
Five sermons on several subjects. I. A birth-day sermon, preached on the day when…
Five sermons on several subjects. I. A birth-day sermon, preached on the day when the author attained to the eightieth year of his age. II. A dying testimony to the sovereign grace of God in the salvation of his elect, containing three sermons. III. Believers encouraged to pray from the consideration of Christs interceding for them, and with them. / By Increase Mather, D.D ; [Six lines of quotations]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Daniel Henchman, 1719
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
others are more subject to a spirit of revenge; others to Intemperance, and the like: Nevertheless, it is true, That all sorts of Sins are in the hearts of Men, and those Sins which they may seem to have an Antipathy to, yet even those Sins are in their heart, and it may be will discover themselves at the last. Saul seemed to have an Antipathy against Witches and destroyed them, yet this very Saul goes to the Witch of Endor to inform him how the War he was engaged in should prosper. It has been noted of Julian the Apostate, That he did abominate some Sins, As that of Drunkenness, and Stage-play, but it was because of some inconveniences that attended them; he did not hate them as being Sins against GOD. Men naturally dislike the Law of God, •ay they make it an occasion of Sin. The holy Apostle confesses it was so with him before his Conversion: Rom.7.8. Sin taking occasion by the Commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. Because the Commandment, said he, should not do such a thing, therefore he was the more ready to do it. Austin in his confessions ⟨p. 12⟩does bewail it, as that which did discov•• the natural corruption of his heart, Th•• when he was an Ungodly Youth; […] would go into his Neighbours Orchard and Steal Apples: Whereas (says he• I might have had the same kind of A• ples in my Fathers Orchard, and bett•• too, and been welcome to them; but •• cause I could have them in my Father Orchard without Sinning against God therefore I did not care for them; […] because he transgressed the Eighth Co• mandment if he had them out of […] Neighbours Orchard, he chose to […] them there.
others are more subject to a spirit of revenge; others to Intemperance, and the like: Nevertheless, it is true, That all sorts of Sins are in the hearts of Men, and those Sins which they may seem to have an Antipathy to, yet even those Sins are in their heart, and it may be will discover themselves at the last. Saul seemed to have an Antipathy against Witches and destroyed them, yet this very Saul goes to the Witch of Endor to inform him how the War he was ingaged in should prosper. It has been noted of Julian the Apostate, That he did abominate some Sins, As that of Drunkenness, and Stage-play, but it was because of some inconveniencies that attended them; he did not hate them as being Sins against GOD. Men naturally dislike the Law of God, ay they make it an occasion of Sin. The holy Apostle confesses it was so with him before his Conversion: