A29703:266
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.
First, There are secrets of Providence; 1and these he reveals to the righteous, and to them that fear him. The Prophet Amos speaks of these secrets of Providence, Amos 3. 7. Surely, the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the Prophets. Micaiah knew the secret of the Lord touching Ahab, which neither Zedekiah 2nor any other of the false Prophets knew. So Gen. 18. 17. And the Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? The destruction of Sodom was a secret that lay in the bosom of God; but Abraham being a bosom friend, God communicates this secret to him, Vers. 19, 20, 21. Abraham was a 3friend, a faithful friend, a friend by a specialty, and therefore God makes him both of his Court and ⟨p. 79⟩Counsel. Oh how greatly doth God condescend to his People! he speaks to them as a man would speak to his friend; and there is no secrets of Providence, which may be for their advantage, but he will reveal them to his faithful servants. As all faithful friends have the same friends and the same enemies, so they are mutual in the communication of their secrets one to another; and so 'twas between God and Abraham.
- 1Psal. 107. ult. Hos. 14. 9.
- 21 King. 2 4.
- 3Jam. 2. 23.