N01732:79
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.
2. Another consideration that evidenceth the truth we assert, is, The Stability & Immutability of the decree of God; that which God has decreed it shall stand for ever. Psal.33.11. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all Generations. Therefore the Apostle speaks concerning the Immutability of the Counsel of God. Heb. 6.17. Men indeed they change their Minds, they decree a thing and don't perform it, they don't see all things at once, their second Thoughts are wisest. It is not so with the blessed GOD, whose Wisdom is Infinite, His counsel shall stand, particularly that of Election is said to stand. Rom. 9. 11. That the purpose of God according to Election might stand. It shall stand and no alteration shall be made in it. Therefore, it is said, as was but now mentioned. The Lord knows who are his, having this seal. A thing that is sealed is unalterable; so it is in this case: therefore Christ comforts His Disciples from this consideration, Luk. 10. 20. That their names were written in heaven. But if their Names could be blotted out after that, it could not be any great matter of comfort and ⟨p. 56⟩rejoicing to them. We see then the Salvation of Believers is built on the Electing love of God as on a sure foundation. Now Election proceeds from Grace, Rom. 11. 5. it is called, The Election of Grace. It is not from any works in Men▪ No. Deut.7.7. The Lord loved you, because he loved you. Nothing out of God Himself can be given as the reason of it: It is then from Grace; it is not from any holiness, from any worth in Men, for before ever they had a Being God had a purpose of Mercy to them. It is sai• of Jacob, before ever he either did good or evil, God had loved him and chosen him; therefore it cannot be from any works of holiness in Men.