N01814:26
Awakening soul-saving truths, plainly delivered, in several sermons. In which is showed, I. That…Awakening soul-saving truths, plainly delivered, in several sermons. In which is shewed, I. That…
Awakening soul-saving truths, plainly delivered, in several sermons. In which is showed, I. That many are called, who are not effectually called. II. That men may be of the visible church, and yet not be of the Lord's chosen. III. That the chosen of God are comparatively but few. / By Increase Mather. D.D. ; [Four lines of Scripture texts]Awakening soul-saving truths, plainly delivered, in several sermons. In which is shewed, I. That many are called, who are not effectually called. II. That men may be of the visible church, and yet not be of the Lord's chosen. III. That the chosen of God are comparatively but few. / By Increase Mather. D.D. ; [Four lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland for B. Gray, 1720
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. The Word of God may make great ⟨p. 8⟩impressions on the affections of Men, yet they not be savingly called. They may have good wishes sometimes, had not Balaam so when he wished Oh that I may die the death of the righteous, He knew that righteous Men would be happy when they dyed, therefore he desired to die their Death, but cared not to live the life of the righteous. Men may have good desires enkindled in them, yet all come to nothing. Christ preached an admirable Sermon concerning the Bread of Life, said the Jews, Lord give us evermore of this Bread, Joh. 6.31. Yet those very Men before Christ ended His Sermon took up a prejudice against Him, and tho' they had been His Disciples they went away from Him and walked no more with Him. Men may desire Grace for carnal Ends, an Hypocrite does not desire Holiness as such, but he may desire Grace to save him from Hell. Did not the foolish Virgins so, Matth. 25.8. They ⟨p. 9⟩unto the wise, Give us of your oil for our lamps are going out. What is that oil? thereby Grace is meant. Sinners when their Lamps are going out, when their Souls are going out of their Bodies, then their cry is, Oh that we had Oil in our Lamps, Grace in our Hearts. There are those that have a spirit of bondage that do not attain to a spirit of adoption. Was it not so with Cain when he cried out, My punishment is greater than I can bear, from the face of God I shall be hid. Was it not so with Felix, Act. 24.25. when he heard Paul Preaching concerning righteousness, temperance & judgment to come, it is said, Felix trembled. Men may have good motions and purposes in their hearts, yet not be savingly wrought upon. Hos. 6.4. Thy goodness is as the morning cloud, and as the early dew it passeth […] ▪ When they heard the Prophet Preach an Awakening Sermon, O how good would […]? But this ⟨p. 10⟩