A29703:426
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.
Oh, but he throws by all such plea's, and complies with Christ's command as well as he could, and a power went forth and healed his hand. O sirs, if you would but pray in your closets as well as you can, you do not know but that such power and virtue might flow from Christ into your hearts, as might carry you on in your closet duties, beyond expectation, even to admiration; others have found it so, and why not you, ⟨p. 215⟩why not you? Well remember, that God is no curious nor critical observer of the incongruous expressions that falls from his poor children when they are in their closet duties; he is such a father as is very well pleased with the broken expressions and divine stammerings of his people when they are in a corner. 'Tis not a flood of words, nor studied notions, nor seraphical expressions, nor elegant phrases in prayer, that takes the ear, or that delights the heart of God, or that opens the gates of glory, or that brings down the best of blessings upon the soul; but uprightness, holiness, heavenliness, spiritualness, and brokenness of heart, these are the things that make a conquest upon God, and that turns most to the souls account. But,
Oh, but he throws by all such plea's, and complies with Christ's command as well as he could, and a power went forth and healed his hand. O sirs, if you would but pray in your closets as well as you can, you do not know but that such power and virtue might flow from Christ into your hearts, as might carry you on in your closet duties, beyond expectation, even to admiration; others have found it so, and why not you, ⟨p. 215⟩why not you? Well remember, that God is no curious nor critical observer of the incongruous expressions that falls from his poor children when they are in their closet duties; he is such a father as is very well pleased with the broken expressions and divine stammerings of his people when they are in a corner. 'Tis not a flood of words, nor studied notions, nor seraphical expressions, nor elegant phrases in prayer, that takes the ear, or that delights the heart of God, or that opens the gates of glory, or that brings down the best of blessings upon the soul; but uprightness, holiness, heavenlyness, spiritualness, and brokenness of heart, these are the things that make a conquest upon God, and that turns most to the souls account. But,