A29703:262
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 12
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.
8. He is a watchful friend.
9. He is a tender and compassionate friend.
10. He is a close and faithful friend. And therefore he can't but open and unbosom himself to all his bosom friends. To be reserved and close is against the very law of friendship. Faithful friends are very free in imparting their thoughts, their minds, their secrets, one to another. A real friend accounts nothing worth knowing, unless he makes it known to his friends: He rips up his greatest and most inward secrets to his friends. Job calls 1his friends inward friends, or, the men of his secrets. All Christs friends are inward friends, they are the men of his secrets, Prov. 3. 32. His secrets are with the righteous, that is, his covenant and fatherly affection, which is hid and secret from the world. He that is righteous in secret, where no man sees him, he is the righteous man to whom God will communicate his closest secrets, as to his dearest bosom friend. It is only a bosom friend to whom ⟨p. 78⟩we will unbosom our selves. So Psal. 25. 14. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show them his Covenant.
10. He is a close and faithful friend. And therefore he can't but open and unbosom himself to all his bosom friends. To be reserved and close is against the very law of friendship. Faithful friends are very free in imparting their thoughts, their minds, their secrets, one to another. A real friend accounts nothing worth knowing, unless he makes it known to his friends: He rips up his greatest and most inward secrets to his friends. Job calls