A37046:358
The law unsealed
The law unsealed: or, A practical exposition of the Ten Commandments With a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience. By the learned, laborious, faithful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. James Durham, late minister of the Gospel at Glasgow.
Glasgow: printed by Robert Sanders, 1676
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.
We shall not here look to every thing, but especially to what concerneth public Prayer, indeed we fail also in secret Prayer, and in giving Thanks both alone and in ⟨p. 51⟩our Families. 1. By contempt of this excellent Ordinance, many slight Prayer in secret and in their Families, Jer. 10. ult. which is a clear breach of this Command as well as neglecting it in public, when men do not countenance Sermon or Prayer, though at the same time walking Idly in the Street or in the Fields. 2. By casting up of Prayer to others, reproaching it, calling it Hypocrisy, and those who use it Hypocrites. 3. By mocking the Spirits work in Prayer.
We shall not here look to every thing, but especially to what concerneth publick Prayer, indeed we fail also in secret Prayer, and in giving Thanks both alone and in ⟨p. 51⟩our Families. 1. By contempt of this excellent Ordinance, many slight Prayer in secret and in their Families, Jer. 10. ult. which is a clear breach of this Command as well as neglecting it in publick, when men do not countenance Sermon or Prayer, though at the same time walking Idlely in the Street or in the Fields. 2. By casting up of Prayer to others, reproaching it, calling it Hypocrisie, and those who use it Hypocrites. 3. By mocking the Spirits work in Prayer.
1. Before we come to Prayer, we sin. 1, By not watching to keep the heart in a frame for Praying always. 2. By not watching over every opportunity that we may have for Prayer, whereby many occasions are lost. 3. In not longing for opportunities of Prayer. 4. In not stirring up our selves to seriousness when we are about to Pray. 5. In letting the heart run loose when we are about other things, which indisposeth for Prayer. 6. In having a selfy particular end before us in our Prayers. 7. In our little respecting God for strength and fitness, and little looking to him for his Spirit to our selves, or these who are to go before us in this duty of Prayer. 8. In our little examining our selves that we may know what to Pray for, and what distinctly to confess. 9. In our not meditating on what we are to say, that we may as to the matter of our Prayers speak in Faith. 10. In aiming more to find and exercise gifts, then to have grace acting in us. 11, In our rushing rashly on such a weighty and spiritual duty.