N01911:62
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. In that a Kingdom is theirs, they do enter upon a Kingdom; therefore sincere Converts are called, The children of the Kingdom, Matth. 13.38. they are such children as ⟨p. 33⟩have a Kingdom for their Inheritance. Amongst men, a Kingdom is the highest dignity; so to show the glorious happiness wherewith such shall be dignified, they are styled Heirs of a Kingdom. 2. Another thing which sets forth their happiness, is the quality of the Kingdom which they shall possess, it's an heavenly Kingdom: The Text calls it, the Kingdom of Heaven. All earthly Kingdoms are as nothing, compared with this. This Kingdom of Heaven noteth three things; all which do set forth the wonderful happiness of truly Converted ones. 1. It noteth a state of saving sanctifying Grace: Oft times in Scripture, the being brought out of a state of Nature into a state of Grace, is called, entering into the Kingdom, Col. 1.13. Matth. 21.31. For then men are delivered out of Satan's, and are become Subjects of the Lords Kingdom. Now they that are brought into a state of Grace are happy indeed: For Grace is Heaven begun; he that hath Grace, shall as certainly go to Heaven, as if he was there already; which may be one Reason why this Expression, of the Kingdom of Heaven, is put to signify a state of Grace. 2. It may note the Glory and Dominion which the Saints shall possess at the last and great Day, Luke 22.29.30. I appoint unto you a Kingdom—You shall sit upon Thrones judging, &c which evidently intimates, that at the Judgment-Day the Saints shall have a Kingdom. And no doubt ⟨p. 34⟩this is a special thing aimed at in the Text, as will appear to him that well considers the occasion of these words: And though the Judgment shall be in this Lower visible World; yet this is fitly called the Kingdom of Heaven, because it will be a most heavenly Dispensation; also in respect of the Original of i•, the God of Heaven will set it up. New Jerusalem cometh down from God out of Heaven,