A29703:501
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.
To this Objection I shall give these three short Answers.
First, I suppose this Objection concerns but a few Christians in our days. That God that hath given a Christ to Believers, doth commonly give them a convenient corner 1to enjoy private communion with himself in. Most Christians I am afraid do rather want a heart for private prayer, than a convenient place for private prayer. What men set their hearts upon they will find time and place to effect it, whether it be good or whether it be evil, whether it concerns temporals or spirituals, whether it concerns this world or another world, this life or a better life. If most men would but get better hearts, they would quickly find or make convenient places for private prayer. He who hath an inflamed love to God, will certainly find out a corner to enjoy secret communion with God. True lovers will find out corners to enjoy one another in. How many men are there that can easily find out private places for their dogs to ⟨p. 259⟩lye in, and their swine to sleep in, and their horses to stand in, and their oxen to feed in, &c. who can't find out a private place to seek the face of God in? But did these men but love their God, or their souls, or private prayer, or eternity, as well, or better than their beasts, they would not be such brui•es, but that they would quickly find out a hole, a corner, to wait upon the Lord in. But,
First, I suppose this Objection concernes but a few Christians in our dayes. That God that hath given a Christ to Believers, doth commonly give them a convenient corner 1to enjoy private communion with himself in. Most Christians I am afraid do rather want a heart for private prayer, than a convenient place for private prayer. What men set their hearts upon they will find time and place to effect it, whether it be good or whether it be evil, whether it concerns temporals or spirituals, whether it concerns this world or another world, this life or a better life. If most men would but get better hearts, they would quickly find or make convenient places for private prayer. He who hath an inflamed love to God, will certainly find out a corner to enjoy secret communion with God. True lovers will find out corners to enjoy one another in. How many men are there that can easily find out private places for their dogs to