N00254:191
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.
Do but consider, the good and benefit which will follow Whoever is sincere therein shall find that his secret prayers have not been lost labour. A man may thereby obtain mercy for his own soul: even grace and spiritual blessings. ⟨p. 90⟩Solomons wisdom was given to him as an answer unto his secret prayers. Comfort and assurance of Gods favour may in this way be obtained: you that complain, you have not assurance of your salvation, consider of it. There have been those (I could tell you of marvellous instances to this purpose) that when they have been upon their knees in secret, the holy Spirit hath broke in upon their Souls with everlasting consolation. Yea, a man by secret Prayer may obtain mercy for his Family. The lives of all Jacobs children were spared, in answer to their Fathers prayers in secret. Nay more, one righteous man by prayer in secret may be a means to divert Judgement, and to obtain mercy, for the whole town, and Land where he dwells. How far did Abraham by his prayers in secret prevail for Sodom; and Moses for Israel? And what mercy did Elijah and Amo• obtain for the whole Land by their secret prayers?
Do but consider, the good and benefit which will follow Whoever is sincere therein shall find that his secret prayers have not been lost labour. A man may thereby obtain mercy for his own soul: even grace and spiritual blessings. ⟨p. 90⟩Solomons wisdome was given to him as an answer unto his secret prayers. Comfort and assurance of Gods favour may in this way be obtained: you that complain, you have not assurance of your salvation, consider of it. There have been those (I could tell you of marvellous instances to this purpose) that when they have been upon their knees in secret, the holy Spirit hath broke in upon their Souls with everlasting consolation. Yea, a man by secret Prayer may obtain mercy for his Family. The lives of all Jacobs children were spared, in answer to their Fathers prayers in secret. Nay more, one righteous man by prayer in secret may be a means to divert Judgement, and to obtain mercy, for the whole town, and Land where he dwells. How far did Abraham by his prayers in secret prevail for Sodom; and Moses for Israel? And what mercy did Elijah and Amo• obtain for the whole Land by their secret prayers?