N00254:82
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.
Again, that consideration of a Mediator for sinners; (that the Son of God is become their Mediator) is a glorious encouragement unto Prayer. To this purpose doth the Apostle speak 1 Tim. 2.1. with ver. 5. Let prayers be made for all men, for there is one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. There is a Mediator (saith he) •or all sorts of men, and therefore pray for all sorts of men. And this consideration is else-where improved by the same Apostle as an encouragement unto prayer In Heb. 4.14. Seeing, that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the Heavens. Jesus the Son of God; it is added in ver. 16. Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of grace. Since we have such an one as the Son of God to be our Mediator in Heaven, therefore let us with humble boldness ply the Throne of grace continually. Christ the Mediator hath satisfied divine justice for the sins of Believers: And he doth intercede with God for them, that their Souls may be saved, and their Prayers heard. While the Priest executing his Office did burn Incense, being entered into the Temple ⟨p. 27⟩of the Lord, the people were praying without, Luk. 1.9, 10. Thus while Believers are praying on Earth, Christ is interceding in Heaven for them. Moreover, as for godly men, they are the Favourites of Heaven, therefore they should be much in Prayer. The Lords ear is open to their cry, Psal. 34 15. even as the ears of a Prince are open to the requests of his special Favourites, The godly man hath the King of Heavens […] he is willing to hear the Petitions of such as those are He […] hearing them pray to him. […] the upright is h•s delight, […] A broken hearted prayer is […] Yea, it […] ravisheth he hear, […] Believer doth pour out the […] faith before him. What wonderful expressions are in the Canticles to this purpose? Chap. 2 4. Let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice for […] is thy voice, and again, Chap. 4. ver. 9. Thou •ast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes. The voice of Prayer, if there be an eye of Faith looking up to God in Jesus Christ how sweet, how ravishing is it to the Lords heart?