N00254:134
Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness
Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness: wherein several important duties, are urged, and the evil of divers common sins, is evinced; delivered in sundry sermons. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in New-England. ; [Ten lines of Scripture texts]
printed by Samuel Green upon assignment of Samuel Sewall, 1682
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.
4. The very light of nature teacheth men that Family Prayer is a duty. Hence the Gentiles that had no Scripture to direct them, yet have made conscience of Family worship. They had their Penates, household gods, whom they did adore. Yea, Mahometans at this day, worship their God not only in public Assemblies, but in their Families. So that men who call themselves Christians, and yet acknowledge no God in their Families ⟨p. 62⟩are in that thing worse then Infidels. Many Heathen People, nay Turks will at the day of Judgement rise up against such pretended Christians; and condemn them.
4. The very light of nature teacheth men that Family Prayer is a duty. Hence the Gentiles that had no Scripture to direct them, yet have made conscience of Family worship. They had their Penates, houshold gods, whom they did adore. Yea, Mahometans at this day, worship their God not only in publick Assemblies, but in their Families. So that men who call themselves Christians, and yet acknowledge no God in their Families ⟨p. 62⟩are in that thing worse then Infidels. Many Heathen People, nay Turks will at the day of Judgement rise up against such pretended Christians; and condemn them.
Q. 2. What is implied in a mans Praying [alway] with his Family?
Ans. This Praying alway implieth frequency in that duty. Family Prayer should be attended daily. In that sense the Phrase is sometimes used in the Scripture. As when it is said, that Mephibosheth did eat (continually, or as the Hebrew word Tamid signifieth) alway at the Kings Table; the meaning is, that it was his daily custom so to do. Thus Cornelius with his house prayed alway; Family prayer was daily observed in that house. Families need daily supplies of mercy. And there are Family occasions to be attended every day, which Masters in Families are concerned to look up to God, that his blessing may be thereon: And there are daily mercies which they ought to bless God for. Yea, it is good to practise this duty more than once every day, h. e. in the morning and in the evening […]. It is a good thing to praise the Lord, and show forth his loving kindness in the morning, and every evening,