N00254:176
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
The Sincere Servants of God will make Conscience of Secret Prayer.
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.
That's one difference between an Hypocrite and a sincere child of God. An hypocrite will rest in the external performance of duty, though he hath no communion with God therein, whenas one that is sincere doth aim at that in duty and therefore the more intimacy of communion with God, is to be enjoyed, the more careful is he not to neglect such a duty. Now this is true concerning Secret Prayer. Did Abraham, did ⟨p. 82⟩Jacob, did Moses, did Daniel and other servants of the Lord, whom we read of in the Scripture, ever meet with more of God, then when they were in secret, pouring out their hearts before him? Intimate friends when they are alone, can speak more freely, and have a fuller communion then when others are by: so it is here, A Believer can not so freely express himself before the Lord as to many particulars when others are by, as he can when there is none present but God and he. In secret places, he can speak his whole heart; and pour out his soul into the bosom of God, and of Jesus Christ
Thats one difference between an Hypocrite and a sincere child of God. An hypocrite will rest in the external performance of duty, though he hath no communion with God therein, whenas one that is sincere doth aim at that in duty and therefore the more intimacy of communion with God, is to be enjoyed, the more careful is he not to neglect such a duty. Now this is true concerning Secret Prayer. Did Abraham, did ⟨p. 82⟩Jacab, did Moses, did Daniel and other servants of the Lord, whom we read of in the Scripture, ever meet with more of God, then when they were in secret, pouring out their hearts before him? Intimate friends when they are alone, can speak more freely, and have a fuller communion then when others are by: so it is here, A Believer can not so freely express himself before the Lord as to many particulars when others are by, as he can when there is none present but God and he. In secret places, he can speak his whole heart; and pour out his soul into the bosome of God, and of Jesus Christ