N00254:78
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.
Consider 2. How necessary a duty Prayer is. There is nothing more inculcated in the Scripture then this great duty. It is a greater. Duty then many others which yet may not be omitted. Hence the Apostle speaks, as 1 Tim, 2, 1. I Exhort ⟨p. 22⟩that [first of all] Supplications, prayers, &c. […] q. d. above other things I commend this duty to you. The Apostle seem•• to give the preference to Prayer. Yea it is an […]; such a duty as that though men should forbid us the practice of it and that upon the severest, penalties; it […] nevertheless to be attended. Therefore the Prophet Daniel chose […] to endanger his life then to neglect his duty towards God is this respect, Dan. 6.10. And it is necessary as a means for the obtaining of good. Saving good and mercy is not to be expected but in a way of Prayer, Rom. 10. 13. For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved. If men would have Salvation, they must pray for it. If they would have pardoning mercy they must pray for it. Therefore Peter said to Simon Magus, Pray God, if perhaps the thoughts of thine heart may be forgiven, Act. 8. 22. All promised mercies come to the Lords people upon their praying to him. God delights to bestow his Blessings in that way. He hath engaged in his holy and gracious Covenant to […] Temporal, Spiritual and Eternal Blessings; but that notwithstanding, Thus saith the Lord God, I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them, Ezek 36 37. yea, Prayer is necessary in order to a sanctified enjoyment of temporal blessings, 1 Tim 4. 4. 5. Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be ⟨p. 23⟩refused if it be received with thanks-giving, for it is sanctified by the […] and Prayer. Food, Raiment. Health whatever temporal mercies we may […] of, […] sanctified unto any that enjoy them, […] they be received with thanks-giving […] Prayer. We therefore read in the Gospel that our Lord Jesus Christ, when he was upon Earth, would not suffer men to eat a […] without Praying over it, or desiring a […] God upon it,