A29703:316
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.
Fourthly, This truth looks sadly and sourly upon such, who in their Closets pray with a loud clamorous voice. A Christian should shut both the door of his Closet, and the door of his Lips so close, that none should hear without, what he saith within. Enter into thy Closet, (saith Christ) and when thou hast shut thy door, pray. But what need a man shut his Closet door, if he may pray with a clamorous ⟨p. 129⟩voice, if he make such a noise as all in the street, or all in the house may hear him. The Hen when she lays her Eggs, gets into a hole, a corner; but then she makes such a noise with her cackling, that she tells all in the house where she is, and about what she is. Such Christians that in their Closets do imitate the Hen, do rather pray to be seen, heard, and observed by men, than out of any noble design to glorify God, or to pour out their souls before him that seeth in secret. Sometimes children when they are vexed, or afraid of the rod, will run behind the door, or get into a dark hole, and there they will lye crying, and sighing, and sobbing, that all the house may know where they are. O 'tis a childish thing so to cry and sigh, and sob, in our Closets, as to tell all in the house, where we are, and about what work we are: Well Christians for an effectual redress of this evil, frequently and seriously consider of these five things.
Fourthly, This truth looks sadly and sourly upon such, who in their Closets pray with a loud clamorous voice. A Christian should shut both the door of his Closet, and the door of his Lips so close, that none should hear without, what he saith within. Enter into thy Closet, (saith Christ) and when thou hast shut thy door, pray. But what need a man shut his Closet door, if he may pray with a clamorous ⟨p. 129⟩voice, if he make such a noise as all in the street, or all in the house may hear him. The Hen when she lays her Eggs, gets into a hole, a corner; but then she makes such a noise with her cackling, that she tells all in the house where she is, and about what she is. Such Christians that in their Closets do imitate the Hen, do rather pray to be seen, heard, and observed by men, than out of any noble design to glorifie God, or to pour out their souls before him that seeth in secret. Sometimes children when they are vext, or afraid of the rod, will run behind the door, or get into a dark hole, and there they will lye crying, and sighing, and sobbing, that all the house may know where they are. O 'tis a childish thing so to cry and sigh, and sob, in our Closets, as to tell all in the house, where we are, and about what work we are: Well Christians for an effectual redress of this evil, frequently and seriously consider of these five things.