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

the […] alleging, that the Reason why he di• […] was, because the Minister whom he we• […] hear, was the Instrument of his Convers••• and therefore he could not but love to […] him preach. How (said the Prelate) Converted by him! Wert thou a Jew, or wast thou a Turk, that thou shouldest talk of Conversion? Art thou born an Englishman, and a Christian, ⟨p. 40⟩and dost thou speak of Conversion? Thus, I say, many Christians are like Nicodemus, who thought that the Doctrine of Conversion amongst the Jews, that were by Education and Profession the People of God, was a strange Doctrine, John 3.5, 6, 7. There are many Christians that have no Religion or Conversion, but such, as if they had been brought up amongst Jews, they would have been Jews; if amongst Mahometans, or Papists, they would have been so too; only through the efficacy of Education, in Conjunction with natural Devotion, they make some show of Christianity, without ever experiencing the saving operations of the Holy Spirit in their hearts whereas he that is converted indeed is born of the Spirit. John 3.6.

the 〈…〉 alledging, that the Reason why he di• 〈…〉 was, because the Minister whom he we• 〈…〉 hear, was the Instrument of his Convers••• and therefore he could not but love to 〈…〉 him preach. How (said the Prelate) Converted by him! Wert thou a Jew, or wast thou a Turk, that thou shouldest talk of Conversion? Art thou born an Englishman, and a Christian, ⟨p. 40⟩and dost thou speak of Conversion? Thus, I say, many Christians are like Nicodemus, who tho't that the Doctrine of Conversion amongst the Jews, that were by Education and Profession the People of God, was a strange Doctrine,