N00254:195
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.
Men should i• secret before the Lord, often bewail every sin they have been guilty of, whilst in a f•ate of unregeneracy. As to the kind of sin, that is, though it may be the acts of sin have been so […], as 'tis not possible to mention them all particularly) And if after conversion they fall into evils, for which Conscience […] them, they should particularly acknowledge those sins in their secret addresses unto the throne of Grace, begging for the pardon of them. Particular plagues of heart should be mourned for in secret: so there are particular […] to be prayed for; and particular friends (near Relations especially) which ought to be remembered in secret prayers day and right without ceasing. Personal and particular concerns are to be enlarged upon in closet prayer especially.
Men should i• secret before the Lord, often bewail every sin they have been guilty of, whilest in a f•ate of unregeneracy. As to the kind of sin, that is, though it may be the acts of sin have been so 〈…〉, as 'tis not possible to mention them all particularly) And if after conversion they fall into evils, for which Conscience 〈…〉 them, they should particularly acknowledge those sins in their secret addresses unto the throne of Grace, begging for the pardon of them. Particular plagues of heart should be mourned for in secret: so there are particular 〈…〉 to be prayed for; and particular friends (near Relations especially) which ought to be remembred in secret prayers day and right without ceasing. Personal and particular concerns are to be inlarged upon in closet prayer especially.
2. Take heed of resting in the external performance of this duty. Do not think that you must needs be saved, merely because you pray in secret. You especially, who are the Children of godly Parents, and have ever practised this duty, because of the frequent Exhortations, and Examples which have been set before you. Oh rest not here, without experiencing a work of true Faith and Regeneration in your Souls. Remember, that though a man cannot be sincere, if he live in the neglect of so great a duty, yet he may continue in the practice of it, after a formal