N00254:74
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.
3. There is not the least hope of thy Salvation, as long as thou continuest thus in a careless neglect ⟨p. 20⟩of God, and of thy own Soul. It is very true, that men may practise the duty of Prayer after a sort, and for all that not be saved. The Pharisees would pray after a formal manner; yet Christ said to his Disciples. Except your righteousness shall exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Mal. 5. 20. But it is no less true, that If men do not pray, they shall not be saved. Can the workers of Iniquity be saved? will not the Lord Jesus say unto all such at the last day. Depart from me. Now the Scripture saith, The workers of iniquity call not upon the Lord, Psal. 14.4.
3. There is not the least hope of thy Salvation, as long as thou continuest thus in a careless neglect ⟨p. 20⟩of God, and of thy own Soul. It is very true, that men may practise the duty of Prayer after a sort, and for all that not be saved. The Pharisees would pray after a formal manner; yet Christ said to his Disciples. Except your righteousness shall exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdome of Heaven, Mal. 5. 20. But it is no less true, that If men do not pray, they shall not be saved. Can the workers of Iniquity be saved? will not the Lord Jesus say unto all such at the last day. Depart from me. Now the Scripture saith, The workers of iniquity call not upon the Lord, Psal. 14.4.
4. You will be most inexcusable before the Lord. For you cannot plead ignorance. You cannot say, Lord, I was never told that it was my duty to pray. Will not the Minister of God that hath been speaking in his Name, stand forth and witness against you at the last day, that you have been called upon, and earnestly told of your duty, full many a time? yea, and do you not go with convinced Consciences, that you ought to pray unto the Lord? And yet will you not do it? what will you say for your selves or, how will you be able to stand in the day of the Lords pleading with you?