N00297:173
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
The sincere Servants of God will make Conscience of Secret Prayer.
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.
We come now to enquire into the Reasons of this Doctrine.
Reas. 1. From the consideration of the omnipresence of God. He seeth and hears what is done not only in public Assemblies, and in Families, but in Closets, Jer. 23. 24. Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him, saith the Lord, do I not fill Heaven and Earth? This reason is urged as an Argument for secret Prayer, even because our Heavenly Father seeth in secret, Mat. 6. 6. If Men do not practice this Duty, it argueth great Atheism, ⟨p. 139⟩and that they do not really, and with their whole hearts, believe the omnipresence of God; so by the practice hereof, they testify that they have the sense of this Truth upon their hearts; therefore should they pray in secret.
Reas. 1. From the consideration of the omnipresence of God. He seeth and hears what is done not only in publick Assemblies, and in Families, but in Closets, Jer. 23. 24. Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him, saith the Lord, do I not fill Heaven and Earth? This reason is urged as an Argument for secret Prayer, even because our Heavenly Father seeth in secret, Mat. 6. 6. If Men do not practice this Duty, it argueth great Atheism, ⟨p. 139⟩and that they do not really, and with their whole hearts, believe the omnipresence of God; so by the practice hereof, they testifie that they have the sense of this Truth upon their hearts; therefore should they pray in secret.