N00524:58
The day, & the work of the day. A brief discourse, on what fears…
The day, & the work of the day. A brief discourse, on what fears we may have at this time to quicken us; what hopes there are at this time to comfort us: and what prayers would be likely to turn our prayers into hopes. With reflections upon time and state, now come upon the Church of God, and collections of certain prophecies relating to the present circumstances of New-England. Uttered on a fast, kept in Boston, July 6th. 1693. / By Cotton Mather.
Boston: printed by B. Harris, 1693
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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, I am sure, men don't Fear God, if they are not willing to Serve God. But this also may be said of all Prayerless Ones. As it was complained, in Isa. 43. 22. Thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob, but hast been weary of me, O Israel: So when men are not every Day Calling on God, they therein proclaim themselves Weary of ⟨p. 34⟩Him. And what an unworthy thing is this! The Lord may demand of us, Wherein have I wearied thee? What is there that should make thee loth to wait upon me?
I add, It is by casting off the Fear of God, that men break their Peace with God. Now if mens Peace with God, were not broken, their Prayer to God, would not be remitted. The Psalmist found it so, in Psal. 32. 3. When I kept silence, my Bones waxed old, through' my Roaring all the Day long. When our Prayers are silent, there is probably some Old Roaring Guilt Lying upon us. Many complain, They do not, they cannot Pray; a Prayerless Drowsiness has overtaken them, and they know not what's the matter with them. Why, 'tis well if there be not some unrepented Sin upon you, Grieving the Holy Spirit of God; it is That which is a Quench-Prayer in your Souls.
I add, It is by casting off the Fear of God, that men break their Peace with God. Now if mens Peace with God, were not broken, their Prayer to God, would not be remitted. The Psalmist found it so, in Psal. 32. 3. When I kept silence, my Bones waxed old, thro' my Roaring all the Day long. When our Prayers are silent, there is probably some Old Roaring Guilt Lying upon us. Many complain, They do not, they cannot Pray; a Prayerless Drowsiness has overtaken them, and they know not what's the matter with them. Why, 'tis well if there be not some unrepented Sin upon you, Grieving the Holy Spirit of God; it is That which is a Quench-Prayer in your Souls.