A29703:334
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.
Others carry the words thus, Purchase at any rate all occasions and opportunities of doing good, that so ye may thereby in some sort, redeem that precious Jewel of Time, which you have formerly lost. As Travellers that have loitered by the way, or staid long at their Inn, when they find night coming upon them, they mend their pace, and go as many miles in an hour, as they did before in many. Though time let slip is physically irrecoverable, yet in a moral consideration, it is accounted as regained, when men double their care, diligence, and endeavours ⟨p. 143⟩to redeem it. The best Christian is he that is the greatest monopolizer of time for private prayer. No Christian to him that redeems time from his worldly occasions, and his lawful comforts and recreations, to be with God in his Closet. David having tasted of the sweetness, goodness, and graciousness of God, cannot keep his bed, but will borrow some time from his sleep, that he might take some turns in Paradise, and pour out his soul in prayer and 1praises, when no eye was open to see him, nor no ear open to hear him, but all were asleep round about him, Psal. 119. 62. At midnight will I arise to give thanks unto thee. Vers. 147. I have prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried. David was up and at private prayer before day-break. David was no sluggish Christian, no slothful Christian, no lazy Christian; he used to be in his closet, when others were sleeping in their beds. So Vers. 148. Mine eyes prevent the night-watches, ⟨p. 144⟩that I might meditate in thy word. So Psal. 130. 6. My soul waiteth for the Lord, more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Look as the weary Sentinel in a dark, cold, wet night, waits and peeps, and peeps and waits for the appearance of the morning; so David did wait and peep, and peep and wait, for the first and fittest season to pour out his soul before God in a corner. David would never suffer his worldly business to jostle out holy exercises; he would often borrow time from the world for private prayer, but he would never borrow time from private prayer to bestow it upon the world.