A29703:391
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.
The Second, Of a crowned Lyon roaring for time present, because it hath the principality of all action, for which it calls aloud.
And the Third was, of a deceitful Dog, fawning for time to come; because it feeds fond men with many flattering hopes to their eternal undoing. O that all this might prevail with servants to redeem time for private prayer! And if my counsel might take place, I should rather advise servants to redeem some time for private prayer, from their sleep, or lawful recreations, or set meals, &c. than to spend, in private prayer, that time which their masters call their time; especially if their Masters be unconverted and in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity; and that for these five Reasons.
And the Third was, of a deceitful Dog, fawning for time to come; because it feedes fond men with many flattering hopes to their eternal undoing. O that all this might prevail with servants to redeem time for private prayer! And if my counsel might take place, I should rather advise servants to redeem some time for private prayer, from their sleep, or lawful recreations, or set meales, &c. than to spend, in private prayer, that time which their masters call their time; especially if their Masters be unconverted and in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity; and that for these five Reasons.
First, Because this may be a means to prevent much Sin on the ⟨p. 186⟩Masters side. Masters that are in their unregenerate estate, are very apt to storm, and take on, and let fly against God, and Christ, and Religion, & profession, &c. When they see their servants spend that time in private prayer, or in any other religious exercise, which according to their understanding, is their time, and ought to be wholly spent in following their businesses. Now gracious servants should have that honourable respect, and that tender affection, and that Christian compassion, to their Masters souls, as to do to the utmost all that lies in them, to prevent their Masters from contracting guilt upon their souls, or from