A29703:386
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.
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 1his Fathers servant? Isa. 4•. 1. (Behold my servant, whom I uphold, mine elect (or choice one) in whom my soul delighteth! (or is well pleased) I have put my spirit upon him; he shall ⟨p. 183⟩bring forth judgement to the Gentiles) 2and did not he redeem time from his natural rest, rather than he would omit private prayer? Mark 1. 35. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Christ spent the day in preaching, in healing the sick, in working of miracles; and rather than these noble works should shut out private prayer, he rises a great while before day, that he might have some time to wrestle with his Father in secret. So Luke 6. 12. And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. O sirs, did Christ spend whole nights in private prayer, for the salvation of your souls; and will you think it much to redeem an hours time from your natural rest to seek and to serve him in a corner, and to make sure the things of your everlasting peace? The redeeming of time for private prayer, is the redeeming of a precious treasure, ⟨p. 184⟩