N01911:181
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.
As we see by them, Jer. 2.20. Thou saidst, I will not transgress, when, &c: They purposed and promised, that they would no more commit such and such sins, yet when the Temptation came, they committed those very sins, which they had resolved against. Now good purposes are from the holy Spirit. As evil purposes are from Satan, so good purposes are from God; and usually it is so, that if God strive outwardly by his Word or Works, he doth also strive inwardly, by causing Convictions, Terrors, good Affections and Resolutions, &c. This we see in them, Psal. 78 34. to 38. When he slew them, then they sought him, they enquired early after God, nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and lied unto him with their tongue; for their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his Covenant. ⟨p. 124⟩How common is it for sinners in their distress to purpose, and to promise better obedience, when sickness is upon them, when they see Death and Eternity before their Eyes, when they see Hell gaping for them, and Devils ready to seize upon their guilty souls; then Oh, if God will but spare them this once, it shall be seen how holy they will be; & yet if the Lord doth deliver them, they are as bad or worse than ever they were, forgetting that the vows of God are upon them.
As we see by them, Jer. 2.20. Thou saidst, I will not transgress, when, &c: They purposed and promised, that they would no more commit such and such sins, yet when the Temptation came, they committed those very sins, which they had resolved against. Now good purposes are from the holy Spirit. As evil purposes are from Satan, so good purposes are from God; and usually it is so, that if God strive outwardly by his Word or Works, he doth also strive inwardly, by causing Convictions, Terrors, good Affections and Resolutions, &c. This we see in them, Psal. 78 34. to 38. When he slew them, then they sought him, they enquired early after God, nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and lied unto him with their tongue; for their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his Covenant.