N01911:191
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.
Use 1. We may see by this which hath been spoken, that there are some sinners which outstand and out-live their day of Grace. Indeed the condition of all such is for ever lamentable, yet some such there are: for when Gods Spirit ceaseth striving, then is the day of Grace ended. Its true, the revealed day of Grace is, whilst the day of Life, and the means of Grace do continue; but the secret day of Grace is according to the strivings of the holy Spirit, or his Determination against the sinner, never more to strive with him. Now you have heard that God giveth over some sinners even while in this life; ⟨p. 134⟩therefore there are that out-live their day: So did the wretched-Jews, therefore Jesus Christ said of them, and he wept when he said it, Oh that thou hadst known in this thy day, the things that do belong unto thy peace, but now are they hid from thine eyes, Luke 19.44. Alas, they had a day, but they knew it not until their day was done: That was a sad word indeed, when Christ said to them, Now are they hid from thy eyes. You will say, but who are they whose day is done? The Answer unto that hath been in part given already, in showing when it is that the Spirit ceaseth striving. Indeed we cannot say of this or that particular man (except he be one that hath committed the sin against the holy Ghost) that the holy Spirit will strive no more with him: For, Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or who hath been his Counsellor? Isa. 40.13. Secret things belong to the Lord, & not to us. Nevertheless, there are some that have sad cause to fear and tremble, lest thus it should be with them.
Ʋse 1. We may see by this which hath been •poken, that there are some sinners which outstand and out-live their day of Grace. Indeed the condition of all such is for ever lamentable, yet some such there are: for when Gods Spirit ceaseth striving, then is the day of Grace ended. Its true, the revealed day of Grace is, whilst the day of Life, and the means of Grace do continue; but the secret day of Grace is according to the strivings of the holy Spirit, or his Determination against the sinner, never more to strive with him. Now you have heard that God giveth over some sinners even while in this life; ⟨p. 134⟩