A29703:397
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.
Thirdly, Because the servants redeeming of time from his sleep, recreations, meals, for private prayer, will most clearly and abundantly evidence the singular love, the great delight, and the high esteem that he hath of private prayer. We say those children love their books well, and delight much in learning, who will be at their books when others are gone to their beds, and who will be at their books before others can get out of their beds. Certainly, they love private prayer well, and they delight much in closet communion with God, who will be a praying when others are a sleeping, and who will be addressing their souls before God ⟨p. 190⟩in a corner, before their mistress is a dressing of her self at the Glass, or their fellow-servants a dressing themselves in the shop. But,
Fourthly, Because the servants redeeming of time for private prayer, from his sleep, set meals, recreations, &c. may be of most use to other fellow servants, both to awaken them, and to convince them that the things of Religion are of the greatest and highest importance, and that there is no trade for pleasure, or profit, to that private Trade that is driven between God and a mans own soul; and also, to keep them from trifling, or fooling away of that time, which is truly and properly their Masters time, and by the Royal law of heaven ought to be spent solely and wholly in their service & business. For what ingenious servant is there in the world, but will argue thus? I see that such and such of my fellow servants will redeem time for private prayer, and for other closet services, from their very sleep, ⟨p. 191⟩meals recreations, &c. rather than they will borrow, or make bold with that time which my Master saith is his, &c. and why then should I be so foolish, so brutish, so mad, to trifle, or idle, or play, or toy away that time, which should be spent in my masters service, and for my masters advantage? But,
Fourthly, Because the servants redeeming of time for private prayer, from his sleep, set meales, recreations, &c. may be of most use to other fellow servants, both to awaken them, and to convince them that the things of Religion are of the greatest and highest importance, and that there is no trade for pleasure, or profit, to that private Trade that is driven between God and a mans own soul; and also, to keep them from trifling, or fooling away of that time, which is truly and properly their Masters time, and by the Royal law of heaven ought to be spent solely and wholly in their service & business. For what ingenious servant is there in the world, but will argue thus? I see that such and such of my fellow servants will redeem time for private prayer, and for other closet services, from their very sleep,