A29703:223
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 7
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.
Seventhly, Consider, the time of this life is the only time for private prayer. Heaven will admit of no secret prayer. In Heaven there will be no secret sins to trouble us, nor no secret wants to pinch us, nor no secret temptations to betray us, nor no secret snares to entangle us, nor no secret enemies to supplant us. We had need live much in the practise of that duty here on earth, that we shall never be exercised in after death. Some duties that are incumbent upon us now, ⟨p. 47⟩as praising of God, admiring of God, exalting and lifting up of God joying and delighting in God, &c. will be for ever incumbent upon us in Heaven; but this duty of private prayer, we must take our leaves of, when we come to lay our heads in the dust.
Eighthly, Consider, the great prevalency of secret prayer. Private prayer is (Porta Coeli, Clavis Paradisi) the Gate of Heaven, a Key to let us into Paradise. Oh the great things that private prayer hath done with God! Oh the 1great mercies that have been obtained by private prayer! And, oh 2the great threatenings that have been diverted by private prayer! And, oh the great judgements that have been removed by private prayer! And, oh the great judgements that have been prevented by private prayer! I have read of a malicious woman who gave her self to the Devil, provided that he would do a mischief to such a neighbour, whom she mortally ⟨p. 48⟩