A29703:309
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
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, It looks sourly and sadly upon all those that put off secret prayer, private prayer, till they are moved to it by the Spirit; for by this sad delusion, many have been kept from secret prayer, many weeks, many months, O that I might not say, many years! Though it be a very fit season to 1pray when the Spirit moves us to pray, yet, 'tis not the only season to pray. He that makes Religion his business, will pray as daily for daily grace, as he doth pray daily for daily bread. Luke 18. 1. And ⟨p. 124⟩he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. 1 Thes. 5. 17. Pray without ceasing. Ephes. 6. 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all Saints. Rom. 12. 12. Continuing instant in prayer. The Greek is 2a Metaphor taken from hunting Dogs, that never give over the game till they have got their prey. A Christian must not only pray, but hold on in prayer, till he hath got the heavenly prize. We are wanting always, and therefore we had need be praying always. The world is always alluring, and therefore we had need be always a praying; Satan is always a tempting, and therefore we had need be always a praying; and we are always a sinning, and therefore we had need be always a praying; and we are in dangers always, and therefore we had need be praying always; and we are dying always, and therefore ⟨p. 125⟩3we had need be praying always. Mans whole life is but a lingering death; man no sooner begins to live, but he begins to die. When one was asked, why he prayed six times a day, he only gave this answer, I must die, I must die, I must die. Dying Christians had need be praying Christians, and they that are always a dying had need be always a praying. Certainly, prayerless families are graceless families, and prayerless persons are graceless persons. It were better