A29703:385
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.
One complaining of those who say, Come, let us talk together to pass away the time; with grief of spirit 1cries out (O donec praetereat hora, &c.) O until the hour be gone, O until time be past, which the mercy of thy maker hath bestowed upon thee to perform repentance, to procure pardon, to gain grace, and to obtain glory. That servant that borrows a little time every day to seek the face of God in a corner, borrows it rather of God than of his master; and therefore why should his master swell, or rage, or complain, considering ⟨p. 182⟩that God never made him Lord of time. But,
One complaining of those who say, Come, let us talk together to pass away the time; with grief of spirit 1cryes out (O donec praetereat hora, &c.) O until the hour be gone, O until time be past, which the mercy of thy maker hath bestowed upon thee to performe repentance, to procure pardon, to gain grace, and to obtain glory. That servant that borrows a little time every day to seek the face of God in a corner, borrows it rather of God than of his master; and therefore why should his master swell, or rage, or complain, considering ⟨p. 182⟩that God never made him Lord of time. But,
- 1Bernard, Serm. de tripl. custod.
Eighthly, I answer, That servants should rather redeem time from their sleep, their recreations, their daily meals, than neglect closet duty a day. And certainly those servants that (out of conscience towards God, and out of a due regard to the internal and eternal welfare of their own souls) shall every day redeem an hours time from their sleep, or sports, or feedings, to spend with God in secret, they shall find by experience, that the Lord will make a few hours sleep, sweeter and better than many hours sleep to them, and their outward sports shall be made up with inward delights, and for their common bread, God will feed them with that bread that came down from heaven. Sirs, was not Christ