A29703:508
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.
hence it is that there is a continual combat in them, like the struggling of the Twins in Rebekah's ⟨p. 265⟩womb. An absolute perfection is peculiar to the triumphant state of Gods Elect in Heaven: Heaven is the only privileged place, where no unclean thing can 1enter in; that's the only place where neither sin nor Satan shall ever get footing. Such as dream of an absolute perfection in this life, do confound and jumble heaven 2and earth together; the state of the Church militant, with the state of the Church Triumphant, which are certainly distinct both in time and place, and in order, measure, and concomitants. This dangerous opinion of absolute perfection in this life, shakes the very foundation of Religion, and overthrows the Gospel of grace; it renders the satisfaction of Christ, and all his great transactions null and void; it tells the world that there is no need of faith, of repentance, of ordinances, of watchfulness: They that say they have no sin, say, they have no need of the blood of Christ to cleanse them ⟨p. 266⟩3from sin: Such as say they have no sin, say, they have no need of Faith to rest upon Christ for imputed Righteousness to justify their persons: Such as say they have no 4sin, say, they have no need of Christ as King to subdue their lusts; nor as Priest, to expiate offences; nor as Prophet to teach and instruct them; nor as a Saviour, to save them from their sins, or from wrath to come. They that have a perfect righteousness of their own, need not be be holden to Christ for his pure, perfect, spotless, matchless Righteousness: Such as are without sin have no cause to repent of sin, nor yet to watch against sin: Such as are perfect can't say, we are unprofitable servants. But are they indeed just? then they must live by faith, Heb. 2. 4. Are they men and not Angels? then they must repent, Acts •7. 30. For now he commands all men every where to repent. Surely the best of men are but men at the best. O how bad must those men be, who make God himself