A29703:495
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.
First, That this Objection lies as strong against Family Prayer, and Public Prayer, as it doth against Private Prayer. God knows all thy wants and necessities, all thy straits and trials, &c. and therefore what needest thou pray in thy Family, what needest thou attend Public Prayers in the Communion of Saints. There is no wringing of any mercy out of the hands of Heaven, which God doth not intend to bestow: This Objection faces all kind of Prayer, and fights against all kinds of Prayer. But
First, That this Objection lyes as strong against Family Prayer, and Publick Prayer, as it doth against Private Prayer. God knows all thy wants and necessities, all thy straits and tryals, &c. and therefore what needest thou pray in thy Family, what needest thou attend Publick Prayers in the Communion of Saints. There is no wringing of any mercy out of the hands of Heaven, which God doth not intend to bestow: This Objection faces all kind of Prayer, and fights against all kinds of Prayer. But
Secondly, I answer, That Private Prayer is that piece of Divine Worship and Adoration, 'tis a part of that homage, which we owe to God upon the account of a Divine Command (as I have already ⟨p. 253⟩proved.) Now all Objections must bow before the face of Divine Commands; As Josephs Brethren bowed before him: Or as King Ahasuerus 1his servants bowed before Haman. Indeed every Objection that is formed up against a Divine Command, should fall before it, as Dagon fell before the Ark, or as Goliath fell before David. He that casts off Private Prayer under any pretence whatsoever, he casts off the Dominion of God, the Authority of God, and this may be as much as a mans life and soul is worth. But,
Secondly, I answer, That Private Prayer is that piece of Divine Worship and Adoration, 'tis a part of that homage, which we owe to God upon the account of a Divine Command (as I have already