N01911:261
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.
1. Because those that do enjoy the Word and outward means of Grace, are comparatively but few. God hath appointed the means & the end to go together; therefore where he intends that end of Eternal Life, he is wont to bestow the means which himself hath appointed, in order to the attainment of that end; Hence is that, 1 Tim. 2.4. God will have all men (that is to say, men of all sorts, as the Context doth manifest) to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth; those two go together, even Salvation and the knowledge of the Truth. The Apostle saith, that the Jews would have hindered them from preaching to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, 1 Thes. 2.16. ⟨p. 182⟩which plainly declares, that without Preaching (according to ordinary Dispensation) there is no Salvation This is certain, that there is no Salvation without Christ, Acts 4.12. It was Austin's saying, that he that doth think that one may be saved without Christ, it may well be questioned whether that man shall himself be saved or no. And there is no Salvation by Christ, without Faith in him: This is Life Eternal to know (that is, to believe on) Jesus Christ, John 17.3. And there is no faith ordinarily, but it is wrought by the Word preached. What God may do for Infants, or deaf persons, or the like, is another question; but we speak concerning the Lords ordinary course of Dispensation: Hence is that, Tit. 1.1. according to the faith of Gods Elect, and acknowledging the Truth. Ordinarily there is no faith, but it is by means of the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel. The Apostle speaketh fully to this purpose, Rom 10.14, 15. How shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a Preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent? and then in vers. 17. he speaketh Argumentatively, So then (saith he) faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. It's true, that men may by the light of Nature know many things about God; as that he is, and that there is ⟨p. 183⟩