A29703:574
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.
Thirdly, When men or women are under rash and passionate 1distempers; for when passions are up, holy affections are down; and this is a very unfit season for Closet-prayer; for such prayers will never reach Gods ear, which do not first warm our own hearts. In the Muscovy Churches, if the Minister mistake in reading, or stammer in pronouncing his words, or speak any word that is not well heard, the hearers do very much blame him, and are ready to take the book from him, as unworthy to read therein: And certainly God is no less offended with the giddy, rash, passionate, precipitate, and inconsiderate prayers of those, who without a deliberate understanding do send their petitions to heaven in post-hast. Solomons advice is worthy of all commendation and acceptation, Be not 2rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty, to utter any thing before God: Or as the Hebrew may be read, Let not thy heart through hast be ⟨p. 310⟩so troubled or disturbed, as to tumble over, and throw out words without wisdom or premeditation. Good men are apt many times to be too hasty, rash, and unadvised in their prayers, complaints and deprecations; 3witness David, Job, Jeremiah, Jonah, and the Disciples. No Christian to him that doth wisely & seriously weigh over his prayers and praises before he pours out his soul before the Lord. He never repents of his requests, who first duly deliberates what to request; but he that blurts out whatsoever lies uppermost, and that brings into the presence of God his rash, raw, tumultuary, and indigested petitions, confessions, complaints, &c. he doth but provoke God, he doth but brawl with God, instead of praying to him or wrestling with him. Suitors at Court observe their fittest times and seasons of begging, they commonly take that very nick of time, when they have the King in a good mood, and so seldom or never come off but with good success.
Thirdly, When men or women are under rash and passionate 1distempers; for when passions are up, holy affections are down; and this is a very unfit season for Closet-prayer; for such prayers will never reach Gods eare, which do not first warm our own hearts. In the Muscovy Churches, if the Minister mistake in reading, or stammer in pronouncing his words, or speak any word that is not well heard, the hearers doe very much blame him, and are ready to take the book from him, as unworthy to read therein: And certainly God is no less offended with the giddy, rash, passionate, precipitate, and inconsiderate prayers of those, who without a deliberate understanding do send their petitions to heaven in post-hast. Solomons advice is worthy of all commendation and acceptation, Be not