Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

6. Solitary times are also to be improved. I say, not only times of being in Company, but times of being alone, are to be improved. ⟨p. 157⟩Such seasons should be made use of for Prayer, Meditation, and Self-Examination, &c. We read concerning Nathaniel, that Christ said to him, When thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee; John 1.48. Though no mortal Eve beheld him, yet the Son of God that hath eyes like a flame of fire, looked upon him there: Jesus Christ who is God as well as man, saw Nathaniel, when he was alone under the fig-tree: Indeed it is not said what Nathaniel was doing there; but it is very probable, that he was praying or meditating, or about some such holy design, that Christ should take such special notice of him. So concerning Isaac, we read that he went out to meditate in the field, Gen. 24.63. He retired himself into a solitary place, that so he might with the more freedom and conveniency practise that much neglected, and yet profitable duty of Meditation. So for Jacob, Gen. 32.24. Jacob was lef• alone, and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. He spent a good part of the night in secret prayer, none being there present but Christ and he. Yea, Christ himself hath taught us this, by his own blessed example, Mat. 14.23. He went up into a Mountain apart to pray, and when evening was come, he was there alone. And the truth is, that a time of privacy is the fittest season for holy Converse and Communion with ⟨p. 158⟩God, because then a man may freely and fully open his whole heart to God. Men have their special corruptions, which it is not fit the World should hear of; yea, all that are Christians indeed, have their special and sore Temptations that do molest them; as for loose, formal Professors, they may go on smoothly and easily; but as for such as have taken up not only the form, but the power of godliness, they meet with many rubs and difficulties, & strong assaults from the great Enemy of Salvation; Now secret places are the fittest to complain to the Lord in about these temptations; therefore times of privacy, may and must be taken hold on by Christians for such an end.