A29703:204
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 4
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.
Fourthly, Consider that in secret we may more freely and fully, and safely unbosom our souls to God, than we can in the presence of many or a few. Hence the Husband is to mourn apart, and the Wife apart, Zech. 12. 12, 13, 14. not only to show the soundness of their sorrow, but also to show their sincerity by their secrecy; they must mourn apart that their sins may not be disclosed nor discovered one to another: Here they are severed to show that they wept not for company ⟨p. 31⟩sake, but for their own particular sins, by which they had pierced and crucified the Lord of glory. In secret a Christian may descend into such particulars, as in public or before others he will not, he may not, he ought not to mention. Ah how many Christians are there who would blush and be ashamed to walk in the streets, and to converse with sinners or saints, should but those infirmities, enormities, and wickednesses, be written in their fore-heads, or known to others; which they freely and fully lay open to God in secret? There are many sins which many men have fallen into before conversion and since conversion, which should they be known to the world, would make themselves to stink, and Religion to stink, and their profession to stink in the nostrils of all that know them. Yea, should those weaknesses and wickednesses be published upon the house tops, which many are guilty of before grace received, or since grace received; ⟨p. 32⟩how would weak Christians be staggered, young comers on in the ways of God discouraged, and many mouths of blasphemy opened, and many sinners hearts hardened against the Lord, his ways, reproofs, and the things of their own peace; yea, how would Satan's banner be displayed, and his kingdom strengthened, and himself infinitely pleased and delighted? 'Tis an infinite mercy and condescension in God, to lay a Law of restraint upon Satan, who else would be the greatest Blab in all the world: It would be mirth and music to him to be still a laying open the follies and weaknesses of the Saints.
Fourthly, Consider that in secret we may more freely and fully, and safely unbosome our soules to God, than we can in the presence of many or a few. Hence the Husband is to mourn apart, and the Wife apart,