N00254:143
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.
not so much as to pray in their families! Such have known to do good, and yet have not done it; therefore sin and guilt and wrath most fearful doth abide them. And this word reacheth Masters of Vessels, that never pray with their Ships Company, who are their Family, with whom they ought to worship God continually.
2. This reproveth those that do not pray in their Families Alway. There are some that pray in their families: but when is it? once in a week perhaps. It may be on the Sabbath day, they will pray in their families; and serve God therein no more all the days of the week after. Is this to pray alway when there are such wide and woeful gaps in prayer? It is thy duty to serve God all the days of thy life, Luk. 1. 75. dost thou serve God all thy days, when thou dost serve him, and pray to him, but one day in seven ⟨p. 68⟩God will not be put off so. When once thou shalt see the day where in thy family shall stand in no need of Gods blessing; neglect Prayer in thy family for that day; but till then willingly omit it not under any pretence whatsoever.
2. This reproveth those that do not pray in their Families Allway. There are some that pray in their families: but when is it? once in a week perhaps. It may be on the Sabbath day, they will pray in their families; and serve God therein no more all the dayes of the week after. Is this to pray alway when there are such wide and woful gaps in prayer? It is thy duty to serve God all the dayes of thy life, Luk. 1. 75. dost thou serve God all thy dayes, when thou dost serve him, and pray to him, but one day in seven ⟨p. 68⟩God will not be put off so. When once thou shalt see the day where in thy family shall stand in no need of Gods blessing; neglect Prayer in thy family for that day; but till then willingly omit it not under any pretence whatsoever.