N00254:184
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.
Use 1. Of Reprehension:
1. To them that neglect Secret Prayer. Are there not many whose Consciences are smiting them whilst the Word of the Lord is speaking to them. How many Children, and young ones that never go alone to pray! You children did you this day go, & the last night go alone to pray? yea, and there are elder ones, that the chambers they lodge in. will witness against them at the last day, for living in he neglect of secret Prayer before the Lord. They are many times alone whole nights together, but as it is said of the wicked, God is not in all their thoughts. Well, be assured, if ever God intend mercy to thy soul, he will make thee get alone to pray, and to pour out thy Soul in his presence. For (as I have formerly showed in Conversion, that's one of the first things, a poor sinner begins to be in earnest in his Secret ⟨p. 87⟩Prayer and cries to Heaven. As it was said of Paul, wiliest in the pangs of the new birth, Act. 9 11. Behold he prayeth, so if the Lord convert and save thy soul. behold! thou wilt pray in secret.
1. To them that neglect Secret Prayer. Are there not many whose Consciences are smiting them whilest the Word of the Lord is speaking to them. How many Children, and young ones that never go alone to pray! You children did you this day go, & the last night go alone to pray? yea, and there are elder ones, that the chambers they lodge in. will witness against them at the last day, for living in he neglect of secret Prayer before the Lord. They are many times alone whole nights together, but as it is said of the wicked, God is not in all their thoughts. Well, be assured, if ever God intend mercy to thy soul, he will make thee get alone to pray, and to pour out thy Soul in his presence. For (as I have formerly shewed in Conversion, thats one of the first things, a poor sinner begins to be in earnest in his Secret ⟨p. 87⟩