A29703:404
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.
It is an excellent observation of Calvin, upon Gods rewarding of the Rechabites obedience, Jer. 35. 19. God (saith he) often recompenseth the shadows and seeming appearances of virtue, to show that complacency he takes in the ample rewards that he hath reserved for true and sincere piety. Nebuchadnezzar though a Tyrant, yet being engaged in Gods service against 1Tyre, he shall have Egypt as his pay, for his pains at Tyre. It is an ancient slur and slander that hath been cast upon God, as if he were an austere Master, an illiberal Lord, and as if there were nothing to be got in his service, but knocks, blows, wounds, crosses, losses, &c. whereas he is a rewarder, not only of them that diligently seek him, 2but even of the very worst of men that do any service for him. I have read of Herod Agrippa (the same that was smitten by the Angel and eaten up of worms, because he gave not glory to God, Acts 12. 23.) that being bound in chains, and sent to Prison by Tiberius for wishing Caius ⟨p. 200⟩in the Empire, one Thaumastus a servant 3of Caius, carrying a Pitcher of water, met him, and Agrippa being very thirsty, desired him to give him some of his water to drink, which he willingly did: whereupon Agrippa said, This service thou hast done in giving me drink, shall do thee good another day: And he was as big and as good as his word; for afterwards, when Caius was Emperor, and Agrippa made King of Judea, he first got his Liberty, then made him chief Officer of his Household, and after his decease took order that he should continue in the same Office with his Son. Now how much more then will the King of Kings reward all those poor pious servants of his, that do not only give to him in his Members cups of cold water, but do also redeem time from their very rest, meals, and recreations, that they may have some time to seek the face of God in a corner. Certainly, There shall not be a sigh, a groan, a prayer, a tear let fall by a poor servant in a corner, ⟨p. 201⟩