N00254:439
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.
Ans. 1. As helps against this evil, there are some things that men should remember to observe before they come to hear the Word. Beware of excessive toiling and moiling in the World, because that doth incline to sleepiness. And remember to be temperate in all things. When men overcharge themselves with meat and drink, and then come to hear the Word Preached, no wonder if they fall asleep, when they should be hearing for their Souls benefit. And if you find your selves inclined to this evil, remember so pray much against it before you come to hear. I doubt common sleepers at Sermons, remember not this. Did they pray earnestly ⟨p. 219⟩against this infirmity the Lord would give them power and victory over it. You must be watchful in order unto prayer, and you must pray that you may become watchful.
2. At the time of Hearing, some things are to be done as helps against this Evil.
Strive against it when first you begin to drowse, shake off a sleepy frame. Stir up your selves to hear the Word, as well as to call upon the Name of God, Isai. 64.7. If sitting be an occasion of sleeping, rather stand up, then sit and sleep and sin. And keep alive those thoughts in your hearts, which will be a means to prevent sleeping. e. g. The awful thoughts of the special presence of God. When Jacob slept as in his Journey towards Padan Arran, Gen. 28. 16. he awaked out of his sleep and said, surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not: it is as if he had said, had I been aware that God was in this place I would not have composed my self to sleep in his presence. Jacob had more grace, then to set himself to sleep in the special presence of God. Surely, if men did know that God is in Church Assemblies, they would not set themselves to sleep there. Remember when you hear Sermons Preached, that God himself is speaking […] you, in the way of his Ordinance, though by mortal men like unto your selves. The Treasure is from Heaven, though the Vessel that brings it, be an earthen vessel. You should therefore receive