A29703:197
The privy key of heaven, or, Twenty arguments for closet-prayer in a select discourse…The privie key of heaven, or, Twenty arguments for closet-prayer in a select discourse…
The privy key of heaven, or, Twenty arguments for closet-prayer in a select discourse on that subject with the resolution of several considerable questions : the main objections also against closet-prayer are here answered ... with twenty special lessons ... that we are to learn by that severe rod, the pestilence that now rageth in the midst of us / by Thomas Brooks.The privie key of heaven, or, Twenty arguments for closet-prayer in a select discourse on that subject with the resolution of several considerable questions : the main objections also against closet-prayer are here answered ... with twenty special lessons ... that we are to learn by that severe rod, the pestilence that now rageth in the midst of us / by Thomas Brooks.
London : Printed for and are to be sold by John Hancock, 1665
THE PRIVY KEY OF HEAVEN, Or, a Discourse of CLOSET-PRAYER. › Argument 2
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.
But why was our Lord Jesus so much Quest. in private prayer, why was he so often with God alone?
First, 'Twas to put a very high Answ. 1 honour and value upon private prayer; 'twas to enhance and raise the price of this duty. Men naturally are very apt and prone to have low, and under-valuing thoughts of secret prayer. But Christ by exercising himself so frequently in it, hath put an everlasting honour, and an inestimable value upon it. But,
Secondly, He was much in private prayer, he was often with God alone, that he might not be seen of men, and that he might avoid all shows and appearances of ostentation and popular applause. He that hath commanded us to abstain ⟨p. 25⟩from all appearance of evil, 1 Thes. 5. 22. would not himself, when he was in this world, venture upon the least appearance of evil. Christ was very shy of every thing that did but look like sin; he was very shy of the very show and shadow of pride or vain-glory.
Secondly, He was much in private prayer, he was often with God alone, that he might not be seen of men, and that he might avoid all shews and appearances of ostentation and popular applause. He that hath commanded us to abstain ⟨p. 25⟩from all appearance of evil, 1 Thes. 5. 22. would not himself, when he was in this world, venture upon the least appearance of evil. Christ was very shie of every thing that did but look like sin; he was very shie of the very shew and shadow of pride or vain-glory.