Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

Consider 3. That the Word and Ordinances, if they do not good, they will occasion much hurt unto us. Certain it is, that the Ordinances, if powerfully dispensed, shall have their effect and operation upon the hearts of men, Isa. 55.10, 11. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from Heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth fruit, and bud, that it may give seed to the Sower, and bread to the eater▪ So shall my Word be, that goeth out of my mouth, it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereunto I sent it. Ordinances, if they do not soften, they will harden; if they do not convince and convert, they will blind the minds of men, and seal ⟨p. 82⟩up their souls under secret wrath. Hence the Apostle saith, 2 Cor. 2.15, 16. We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish; to the one are we a savour of death unto death, and to the other, the savour of life unto life. Oh, how would men and women sit trembling under Sermons, if they did believe, that they were about a matter of life and death, yea, a concernment of everlasting life, or everlasting death. Sermons shall have their effect upon the hearts of men, either to save or to damn their Souls, Isa. 6.9, 10. Go (saith God to the Prophet) make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes, lest they convert, and be healed. Mark, I beseech you, was there ever a more dreadful word spoken? One would have thought, that if the Prophet spake to them, it should have been only, that they might have been converted; but the Lord by a Judicial hand upon them for their Unprofitableness, sent his Prophet to harden their hearts, lest they should be converted. So for Sacraments, they will have their effect upon mens Souls, either for life or for death. We read of Judas, that after he had received the Sop, Satan entered into him; even so, when you have been at the Lords Table, if Christ do not enter into you, Satan will; either Christ or Satan will come and take a fuller possession of your Souls. Believe it, ⟨p. 83⟩