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

Consider. 7. That Christ is knocking at every door this day. This Truth concerns every Soul amongest you. Look into Societies, Christ is knocking there: And I had like to have spoke a dreadful word, and to have said, that Christ hath given leave to Satan to knock •here; What else is the meaning of those doleful noises in the Temple, even divisions and tearings in Churches? Christ knocketh at the Church of Laodicea, so he hath at many Churches amongst us. Have not many Stars of late been removed, to shine in an higher Orb of Glory? Many precious Ministers have been smitten with sickness, yea, and with death too. Thus hath Christ knocked at our Churches doors, & so he hath at the door of the whole Country, by those blastings, droughts, &c. That have been in former years, and that excessive rain which is at this day. Methinks I hear the Lord Jesus from Heaven, saying, ⟨p. 111⟩O New-England, New-England, be instructed, least my Soul leave thee desolate. And as for particular persons, they cannot say but that Christ hath been knocking and calling to them; You all have the Gospel preached to you, and therefore the Lord's calling upon you; and do you meet with afflictions? and do you receive many mercies? those are all knocks from the Lord of Heaven, I would you wist it. Art thou a profane sinners? yet Christ knocks at thy door, and saith to thee, Forsake thy sins, and come to me. Art thou an Hypocrite, a dead, formal, luke-warm Professor of Religion? yet Christ knocketh at thy door: Thus it was with some in Laodicea, they were luke-warm, yet did Christ stand and knock at their doors, that so (if possible) they might be roused out of their deadness and security. Art thou a true child of God? yet Christ knocketh at thy door, that so thou mayest give him further and better entertainment. There are some corners of thy heart that are not so full of Christ as they should be; Therefore doth the Lord knock at thy door, that so every corner of thy Soul might be filled with the Spirit of •he Son of God.

Consider. 7. That Christ is knocking at every door this day. This Truth concerns every Soul amongest you. Look into Societies, Christ is knocking there: And I had like to have spoke a dreadful word, and to have said, that Christ hath given leave to Satan to knock •here; What else is the meaning of those doleful noises in the Temple, even divisions and tearings in Churches? Christ knocketh at the Church of Laodicea, so he hath at many Churches amongst us. Have not many Stars of late been removed, to shine in an higher Orb of Glory? Many precious Ministers have been smitten with sickness, yea, and with death too. Thus hath Christ knocked at our Churches doors, & so he hath at the door of the whole Country, by those blastings, droughts, &c. That have been in former years, and that excesive rain which is at this day. Methinks I hear the Lord Jesus from Heaven, saying,