A29703:52
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.
Now they are these,
The first Lesson that you are to learn by the Rod, or by the raging Pestilence, is to know, what the particular ⟨image 25⟩message or errand is, which the Rod hath to deliver to you in the day of your distress and trouble. Your first work is to do as David did, in that 2 Sam. 21. 1. He humbly enquires of the Lord, to know the particular reason why he sent a Famine amongst them. You must do as Job doth, Job 10. 2. Show me, O Lord, wherefore thou contendest with me. Job would fain know the reasons of the controversy between God and him. One well observes on the Text, that Job was very desirous to know, whether God did afflict him for sin, or for trial, not to satisfy his curiosity but, his Conscience. Elihu's counsel to Job must here take place, Job 34. 31, 32. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have born chastisement, I will not offend ⟨image 26⟩any more. That which I see not teach thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. Job it seems was yet in the dark, as to the particular cause or reason, why the Lord had so grievously afflicted him; and therefore he is very importunate with God, that he would graciously point out the sin, for which he had so sorely smitten him. Thy proceedings, saith Job, to my understanding, seem to be very strange and severe; I am more heavily afflicted than others, and yet I do not know wherein I have sinned more than others: Why I should be condemned and cast, without a Trial, why thou art so hot against me, and why thou hast multiplied so many unheard of miseries upon me, and why thou hast so greatly ⟨image 26⟩subjected me to the saddest and sourest censures of others, as if I were the worst of sinners, and the basest of hypocrites, I know not: And therefore O Lord, I humbly desire, that thou wouldest not deal with me according to thy absolute Power, but let me know the true grounds and causes of all my heavy sorrows and miseries. And so he is at it again, in that