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

Consider. 1. That Gods Spirit will not always strive: Oh let these words sound in thy ears, The Spirit of the Lord will not always strive. Nay it may be, he will strive no longer; Who knoweth, but that thy day may at this hour be shutting upon thee? If thou dost not now resolve in good earnest to turn unto the Lord, it may be after this Sermon is ended, God will resolve against thee, that his Spirit shall never strive more with thee: Think sadly on that awful Scripture, Ezek 24.13. Because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury ⟨p. 143⟩to rest upon thee. God hath been purging of thee, and thou wast not purged; that is to say, he hath been using means, and striving with thee, that so thy Soul might be converted, and yet thou remainest a Carnal Creature still: Fear lest God should say, Thou shalt not be purged any more; thou shalt not have my Spirit to strive with thee any longer.

Consider. 2. That if it should be so, that Gods Spirit should cease striving with thee, thou art then utterly undone forever: For when the Lord doth cease striving with men, he doth even swear in his wrath against them, Psal. 95.11. Unto whom I sware in my wrath, [if] they enter into my rest. Saith the Lord, [if] those sinners enter into rest, then let me not be accounted God any longer: Oh thou sinful Creature, if the Lord should be provoked in his wrath to swear against thee, then as sure as God is God thou shalt be damned. A man may say a thing, and yet possibly go back, but if he swear, he will not go from his word: So the Lord speaking after the manner of men, is said to swear against some sinners, to show his unalterable Determination against them, when he hath sworn, he will not repent, Psal. 110.4. Alas, this day of Grace is past, if the holy Spirit ⟨p. 144⟩should for ever cease striving with thee; and then no Prayers, nor Cries, nor Tears will avail for mercy. There is a Scripture, which methinks should strike cold to the heart of many an unconverted sinner that hears me this day; it is that in the first Chapter of the Proverbs, and the 28 Verse, Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me. This was fulfilled upon the Jews, therefore did Christ say to them, Ye shall seek me, and shall dye in your sins: whither I go you cannot come,