A29703:492
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.
Sixthly and lastly, Thou sayest thou canst not pray, thou hast not the gifts and parts which others have: But thou canst manage thy callings thy worldly business as well as others; and why then canst thou not pray as well as others? Ah friends, did you but love private prayer as well as you love the ⟨p. 250⟩world, and delight in private prayer as much as you delight in the world, and were your hearts as much set upon closet prayer as they are set upon the world, you would never say you could not pray, yea, you would quickly pray as well as others; 'tis not so much from want of ability to pray in secret, that you don't pray in secret; as 'tis from want of a will, a heart to pray in secret, that you don't pray in secret. Jacobs love to Rachel, and Shechem's love to Dinah, carried 1them through the greatest difficulties. Were mens affections but strongly set upon private prayer, they would quickly find abilities to pray. He that sets his affections upon a Virgin (though he be not learned nor eloquent) will find words enough to let her know how his heart is taken with her. The application is easy. He in Seneca complained of a Thorn in his foot, when his Lungs was rotten. So many complain of want of ability to pray in their closets, when ⟨p. 251⟩their hearts are rotten. Sirs, do but get better hearts, and then you will never say you can't pray. 'Tis one of the saddest sights in all the world, to see men strongly parted and gifted for all worldly businesses, to cry out that they can't pray, that they have no ability to pour out their souls before the Lord in secret. You have sufficient parts and gifts to tell men of your sins, your wants, your dangers, your difficulties, your mercies, your deliverances, your duties, your crosses, your losses, your enjoyments, your friends, your foes; and why then are you not ashamed to complain of your want of parts and gifts, to tell those very things to God in a corner, which you can tell to men even upon the housetop, &c. But,
Sixthly and lastly, Thou sayest thou canst not pray, thou hast not the gifts and parts which others have: But thou canst mannage thy callings thy worldly businesse as well as others; and why then canst thou not pray as well as others? Ah friends, did you but love private prayer as well as you love the