N01152:24
The inexcusableness of neglecting the worship of God, under a pretence of being in…
The inexcusableness of neglecting the worship of God, under a pretence of being in an unconverted condition. Showed in a sermon preached at Northampton, the 17th. Decemb. 1707. being the time of the sitting of the Inferior Court. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton. ; Imprimatur, J. Dudley.The inexcusableness of neglecting the worship of God, under a pretence of being in an unconverted condition. Shewed in a sermon preached at Northampton, the 17th. Decemb. 1707. being the time of the sitting of the Inferiour Court. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton. ; Imprimatur, J. Dudley.
printed by B. Green. Sold by Samuel Phillips, 1708
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.
I. Sanctifying Grace is not necessary unto the attending of those duties of Worship which are required in all Ages. There are some duties of Worship that are not peculiar either to the State of the Church in the time of the Old Testament, or of the New, but common to both: and they may be attended by such as are Godly, and such as are not. Men in a natural condition may lawfully attend them; Mens being in a natural condition is no sufficient pretence for neglecting of them. As,
1. Prayer: Such mens Prayers are an abomination unto God. Prov. 28. 9. He that turneth away his Ear from hearing the law, even his Prayer shall be abomination; but yet they are to be performed. It is the duty of all men to Pray to God, Luk. 18. 1. He spake a parable to them to this end that men ought always to pray: The Pharisees were blamed by Christ for Praying in the Streets, that they might have glory from men, and for making long Prayers for a pretence; but they are not blamed for Praying. Ungodly men are much blamed in Scripture for not Praying: Psal. 14. 4. They call not upon God. Isai. 43 22. Thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob. So men are blamed for leaving off Praying: Job 27. 10. Will he always call upon God: And chap. 36. v. 13. They cry not when he bindeth them. All forts of men are directed to cry to God in their necessities: ⟨p. 5⟩Sinners are put upon it to cry to God: Isai. 55. 6. Seek ye the Lord while be may be found, cast ye upon him while he is near. Such as are Ungodly are stirred up to Pray to God for forgiveness: