A29703:295
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 19
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.
19thly, Consider, that Satan is a very great enemy to secret prayer. Secret prayer is a scourge, a hell, to Satan; every secret prayer adds to the Devils torment, and every secret sigh adds to his torment, and every secret groan adds to his torment, & every secret tear adds to his torment. When a child of God is on his knees in his secret addresses 1to God, O the strange thoughts, the earthly thoughts, the wandering thoughts, the distracted thoughts, the hideous thoughts, the blasphemous thoughts, that Satan often injects into his soul! and all to wean him from secret prayer, and to weary him of secret prayer. Sometimes he tells the soul, that 'tis in vain to seek God in secret; ⟨p. 114⟩and at other times he tells the soul 'tis too late to seek God in secret, for the door of mercy is shut, and there is no hope, no help for the soul: Sometimes he tells the soul, that 'tis enough to seek God in Public; and at other times he tells the soul, that 'tis but a precise trick to seek the Lord in private: Sometimes he tells the soul, that 'tis not elected, and therefore all his secret prayers shall be rejected; and at other times he tells the soul, that 'tis sealed up unto the day of wrath and therefore secret prayer can never reverse that seal: and all this to dishearten and discourage a poor Christian in his secret retirements. Sometimes Satan will object to a poor Christian, the greatness of his sins; & at other times he will object against a Christian, the greatness of his unworthiness: Sometimes he will object against a Christian his want of grace; and at other times he will object against a Christian his want of gifts to manage such a duty, as it should be managed: ⟨p. 115⟩Sometimes he will object against a Christian his former streightnedness in secret prayer; and at other times he will object against a Christian, the small yearnings that he makes of secret prayer: and all to work the soul out of love with secret prayer, yea, to work the soul to loath secret prayer; so deadly an enemy is Satan to secret prayer. O the strange fears fancies, and conceits, that Satan often raises in the spirits of Christian, when they are alone with God in a corner; and all to work them to cast off private prayer. 'Tis none of Satan's least designs, to interrupt a Christian in his private trade with God. Satan watches all a Christians motions;