A29703:424
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.
When Gods poor Children come to a fowl way, or a rough place, he takes them up in his own arms, and helps them over the quagmire of Crosses, and the difficulties of duties, and over all ⟨p. 212⟩that straitness, and narrowness, and weakness o• spirit that doth attend them in their closet performances.
'Tis observable, that when the King of Israel was to shoot the Arrow, 1he did put his hand upon the Bow, and Elisha did put his hand upon the Kings hand. So when we go into our Closets, we are to put up our hand, and then the Spirit of God likewise will put his hand upon our hand, he will put his strength to our strength, or rather to our weakness, Rom. 8. 26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, lifts with us, or helpeth together. The Greek word [Greek or Hebrew] doth properly signify such a help, as when another man of strength and ability steppeth in to sustain the burden that lieth upon our shoulders, be it a log, or a piece of timber, setting his shoulders under it, to lift up, and bear part of it with us, or to help us as the nurse helpeth her little child, upholding it by the sleeve. When a poor Christian sets himself ⟨p. 213⟩to closet prayer, or to mourn, or to believe, or to obey, &c. then the Spirit comes in with new help, and new influences, and new assistances, and so carries him on in all these noble services. That child that doth but stammer at first, in time will speak plainly and fluently. O how many Christians are there, that now can pray with much freedom, liberty and fluency, who at first could only sigh out a prayer, or stammer out a prayer, or weep out a prayer? Thou sayest thou canst not pray, but didst thou but stir up thy self to obey that command, Matth. 6. 6