A29703:487
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.
Tenthly, and lastly, When Christians give themselves up to ⟨p. 242⟩private prayer, when Christians are more than ordinarily exercised in secret prayer, in Closet duties, then the Spirit comes and seals up the Covenant and the Love of the Father to them. When Daniel 1had been wrestling and weeping, and weeping and wrestling all day long with God in his Closet, then the Angel tells him, that he was a man greatly beloved of God, or a man of great desires, as the Original hath it. There was a gracious Woman, who after much frequenting of Sermons, and walking in the ways of the Lord, fell into great desertions, but being in secret prayer, God came in with abundance of light and comfort, sealing up to her soul that part of his Covenant, viz. I will take the stony heart out of 2their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh; that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. And thus I have given you a brief account of the Spirits special sealing times.
Now mark, This seal God sets upon all his wares, upon all his adopted children; for sooner or later there are none of his but are sealed with this seal. God sets his 1seal of Regeneration, he stamps his Image of Holiness upon all his people, to difference and distinguish them from all profane, moral, and hypocritical persons in the World. Doubtless the sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost imprinting the draughts and lineaments of Gods Image of Righteousness and Holiness upon Man, as a seal or signet doth leave an impression and stamp of its likeness upon the thing sealed, is the seal of the Spirit spoken of in Scripture,