A29703:290
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 16
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.
Sixteenthly, Consider, the times wherein we live call aloud for secret prayer. Hell seems to be broke loose, and men turned into incarnate Devils; Land-destroying, and Soul-damning wickednesses, walk up and down the streets, with a Whores fore-head, without the least check or control, Jer. 3. 3. Thou hadst a Whores fore-head, thou refusest to be ashamed. Jer. 6. 15. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush (They had 1sinned away shame, instead of being ashamed of sin. Custom in sin had quite banished all sense of sin and all shame for sin, so that they would not suffer nature to draw her veil of blushing before their ⟨p. 104⟩great abominations. They were like to Caligula a wicked Emperor, who used to say of himself, That he loved nothing better in himself, than that he could not be ashamed.) The same words are repeated in Chap. 8. 12. How applicable these Scriptures are to the present times, I will leave the prudent reader to judge. But what doth the Prophet do now they were as bold in sin, and as shameless as so many harlots; that you may see in Jer. 13. 17. But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places (or secrecies) for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore (Heb. weeping weep, or shedding tears shed tears; the doubling of the verb, notes the bitter and grievous lamentation that he should make for them) and run down with tears. Now they were grown up to that height of sin and wickedness, that they were above all shame and blushing; now they were grown so proud so hardened, so obstinate, so rebellious, so mad upon mischief, that no mercies could melt them, or allure ⟨p. 105⟩them; nor no threatenings, nor judgements could any ways terrify them or stop them; the Prophet goes into a corner, he retires himself into the most secret places, and there he weeps bitterly, there he weeps as if he were resolved to drown himself in his own tears. When the springs of sorrow rise high, a Christian turns his back upon company, and retires himself into places of greatest privacy, that so he may the more freely, and the more fully vent his sorrow and grief before the Lord.