N00297:130
Some important truths concerning conversion, and the improving seasons of grace; as also about…
Some important truths concerning conversion, and the improving seasons of grace; as also about prayer in families, and in secret: delivered in several sermons; / by Increase Mather.
Boston: printed by Samuel Green for John Griffin, 1684
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.
Q. 3. Whence is it that the true Fearers of God do thus?
Reas. 1. Because they that truly fear God respect the honour of his Name. They cannot but desire that God might be honoured every where, and more especially in their own Families. Now Prayer honours God. Hence is that expression, Mat. 15. 8. They honour me with their lips: when men pray unto God with their lips, they honour him therewith: and when ⟨p. 114⟩they pray with their hearts, as well as their lips, they honour him with both. As when they neglect this so great a duty, they with-hold that honour from God, which is due unto him from his creatures, Isai 43. 23. Thou hast not honoured me with thy Sacrifices. So doth the Lord say to Masters of Families, that pray not with their Houses, thou hast not honoured me with thy Prayers. But as for those that call upon his Name, their Prayers and praises glorify him. When men own the Lord to be the God of their Families they put honour upon him. And so it is when Family Worship is duly upheld.
Reas. 1. Because they that truly fear God respect the honour of his Name. They cannot but desire that God might be honoured every where, and more especially in their own Families. Now Prayer honours God. Hence is that expression, Mat. 15. 8. They honour me with their lips: when men pray unto God with their lips, they honour him therewith: and when ⟨p. 114⟩they pray with their hearts, as well as their lips, they honour him with both. As when they neglect this so great a duty, they with-hold that honour from God, which is due unto him from his creatures, Isai 43. 23. Thou hast not honoured me with thy Sacrifices. So doth the Lord say to Masters of Families, that pray not with their Houses, thou hast not honoured me with thy Prayers. But as for those that call upon his Name, their Prayers and praises glorifie him. When men own the Lord to be the God of their Families they put honour upon him. And so it is when Family Worship is duely upheld.