N01911:138
Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…
Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D. teacher of a church at Boston, in New-England ; With a preface by Dr. Owen.Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D. teacher of a church at Boston, in New-England ; With a praeface by Dr. Owen.
Boston: printed by John Allen for John Edwards, 1721
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.
Answ. 1. Christ knocketh at the hearts of men by his Word; by this Epistle he knocked at Laodicea's door. Hence in the Text ⟨p. 93⟩Christ's voice is spoken of. When Christ's Voice, his Word is heard, then is he knocking at the hearts of men; therefore the Word is compared to an Hammer, Jer. 23.29. Is not my Word like an Hammer, &c. An Hammer you know is an Instrument whereby men sometimes knock and break open doors. So doth the Lord by the Hammer of his Word knock and break open the doors of the hearts of sinners. The Lord knocks by the Promises of the Word, and Threatenings also, these are knocking awakening words indeed; so by Instructions and Exhortations, &c. Hence it is, that as for all men that enjoy the Ministry of the Word, whosoever they be that have the Gospel dispensed amongst them, Christ knocketh at their doors, and desireth entrance into their hearts.
Answ. 1. Christ knocketh at the hearts of men by his Word; by this Epistle he knocked at Laodicca's door. Hence in the Text ⟨p. 93⟩Christ's voice is spoken of. When Christ's Voice, his Word is heard, then is he knocking at the hearts of men; therefore the Word is compared to an Hammer, Jer. 23.29. Is not my Word like an Hammer, &c. An Hammer you know is an Instrument whereby men sometimes knock and break open doors. So doth the Lord by the Hammer of his Word knock and break open the doors of the hearts of sinners. The Lord knocks by the Promises of the Word, and Threatnings also, these are knocking awakening words indeed; so by Instructions and Exhortations, &c. Hence it is, that as for all men that enjoy the Ministry of the Word, whosoever they be that have the Gospel dispensed amongst them, Christ knocketh at their doors, and desireth entrance into their hearts.