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

Consider 4. Long continued Unprofitableness under the means of Grace, is a sad sign of Reprobation. I tell you truly, this is one of the blackest marks of an Eternal Cast-away, 2 Cor. 4.3. If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. If the Gospel be withheld from a people, its a sign they shall perish; or if it be sent to them, yet if in the life, and power, and saving efficacy of it, it be hid from mens Souls, that's a sign that they shall be lost: It is an awakening word which you may find, Jer. 6.2. ult. The bellows are burnt, the Lead is consumed of the fire, the founder melteth in vain, for the wicked are not taken away, reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them: As if it were said, God and man even the Lord by his Prophets, hath bestowed much labour about this people, and yet they continue wicked still, therefore are they to be looked upon as Reprobate and rejected ones. Christ tells the Jews, that the reason why they did not believe was, because they were not of God, John 8 47. and because they were not sheep, John 10.26. that is to say, because they did not belong to Election. If men live long unprofitably under means of Grace, this is a sad token that they do not belong to Election. Indeed secret things belong to ⟨p. 84⟩God, and therefore it is no absolute Con••• sion, that if a man live many years under […] powerful preaching of the Gospel, and […] not converted thereby, that he shall […] be converted, yet it is a sad suspicion […] calls his Elect, some at one age, some […] • there, but generally before old age, e• […] where men live under the Gospel. O […] headed sinners, tremble at it before th• […] this day, and let this word at last […] you.

Consider 4. Long continued Ʋnprofitableness under the means of Grace, is a sad sign of Reprobation. I tell you truly, this is one of the blackest marks of an Eternal Cast-away,