A29703:498
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.
Fourthly and lastly, I answer, Every Christian should labour to enjoy his mercies in mercy, he should labour to have his blessings blest unto him, he should labour 1to have the good-will of him that dwelt in the bush with all he hath. Now this is an everlasting truth, a maxim to live and die with; that whatsoever mercy comes not in upon the wing of prayer, is not given in mercy. O how sweet is that mercy that comes flying in upon the wing of prayer: How sweet was that water to Sampson which streamed to him in the channel of private prayer, Judg. 15. 19. he called the name of it, En-hakkore, the Well of him that prayed. Sampson prayed as for life, and that water that was handed to him was as sweet as life. Every mercy that is gathered by the hand of prayer, is as sweet as the Rose of Sharon: But 2that mercy that comes not in at the door of prayer, comes not in at the right door; and that mercy that comes not in at the right door, will ⟨p. 256⟩do a man no good; such mercies will make themselves wings and fly from us. Every Christian should 3narrowly look that all his mercies 4are sanctified mercies; now every mercy is sanctified by the word & prayer: Prayer prepares and fits us for mercy, and mercy for us: 'Tis Prayer that gives us a right and holy use of all our mercies: Such mercies are but great miseries that come not in upon the wing of prayer: Prayerless mens mercies are all given in wrath, Psal. 76. 23,—32. Yea their blessings are curst unto them, Prov. 3. 33. Mal. 2. 2. Look as every sacrifice was to be seasoned with salt; so every mercy is to be sanctified by prayer. Look as Gold sometimes is laid, not only upon cloth and silks, but also upon Silver it self: So Prayer is that Golden duty, that must be laid, not only upon all our natural and civil actions, as eating, drinking, buying, selling, &c. but also upon all our Silver duties, upon all our most religious and spiritual performances, as