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

but many that are dead, though they have a name to live. For this is true concerning all profane ones, Drunkards, Swearers, Liars, Unclean Persons, and such like, they shall not inherit Eternal Life. Also this is true concerning those that are only Civil and Moral men, but are strangers still to regenerating Grace: Yea, & thus must we say of all Heretical Persons; & not only so, but of all that are in a state of Hypocrisy, men that make a great show of Religion, but there is some unmortified Lust that they love and live in, they may have a name to live, but they are dead. Now if all these be put together, even all that are Profane, or only Civil Moralized persons, and all Heretics in judgment, and all Hypocrites in heart, what a vast number then are in the way to Destruction In a word, there are many that shall perish even amongst hearers of the Word; witness the Parable of the Sower, where we are told of four sorts of ground, that is, of four sorts of hearers, & yet but one of them good, yea, many shall perish amongst seekers after Life: For Truth himself hath spoken it, Many shall seek, and shall not be able to enter in at the strait gate, Luke 13.24. yea, many shall ⟨p. 202⟩perish, even amongst those that have instructed others in the way to life: So did Christ say towards the close of this very Sermon wherein my Text is, Mat. 7.23. Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out Devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works; and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

but many that are dead, though they have a name to live. For this is true concerning all profane ones, Drunkards, Swearers, Lyars, Unclean Persons, and such like, they shall not inherit Eternal Life. Also this is true concerning those that are only Civil and Moral men, but are strangers still to regenerating Grace: Yea, & thus must we say of all Heretical Persons; & not only so, but of all that are in a state of Hypocrisie, men that make a great shew of Religion, but there is some unmortified Lust that they love and live in, they may have a name to live, but they are dead. Now if all these be put together, even all that are Profane, or only Civil Moralized persons, and all Hereticks in judgment, and all Hypocrites in heart, what a vast number then are in the way to Destruction In a word, there are many that shall perish even amongst hearers of the Word; witness the Parable of the Sower, where we are told of four sorts of ground, that is, of four sorts of hearers, & yet but one of them good, yea, many shall perish amongst seekers after Life: For Truth himself hath spoken it, Many shall seek, and shall not be able to enter in at the strait gate,