A29703:578
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.
My Fourth Advice and counsel is this, Take heed of resting upon Closet-duties; take heed of trusting in Closet-duties. Noah's Dove made use of her wings, but she did not trust in her wings, but in the Ark: So you must make use of Closet-duties, but you must not trust in your Closet-duties, but in Jesus, of whom the Ark was but a Type. There are many that go a round of duties, (as mill-horses go their round in a mill) and rest upon them when they have done, using the means as mediators, and so fall short of Christ and heaven at once. Closet-duties rested in, ⟨p. 316⟩will as eternally undo a man, as the greatest and foulest enormities; open wickedness slays her thousands, but a secret resting upon duties slays her ten thousands: Multitudes bleed inwardly of this disease, & die for ever. Open profaneness is the broad dirty way that leads to hell, but Closet-duties rested in is a sure way, though a cleaner way to hell. Profane persons and formal professors shall meet at last in one hell. Ah Christians, do not make Closet-duties your money, least you and your money perish together.
My Fourth Advice and counsel is this, Take heed of resting upon Closet-duties; take heed of trusting in Closet-duties. Noahs Dove made use of her wings, but she did not trust in her wings, but in the Arke: So you must make use of Closet-duties, but you must not trust in your Closet-duties, but in Jesus, of whom the Ark was but a Type. There are many that go a round of duties, (as mill-horses go their round in a mill) and rest upon them when they have done, using the means as mediators, and so fall short of Christ and heaven at once. Closet-duties rested in, ⟨p. 316⟩will as eternally undo a man, as the greatest and foulest enormities; open wickedness slayes her thousands, but a secret resting upon duties slayes her ten thousands: Multitudes bleed inwardly of this disease, & die for ever. Open prophaneness is the broad dirty way that leads to hell, but Closet-duties rested in is a sure way, though a cleaner way to hell. Prophane persons and formal professors shall meet at last in one hell. Ah Christians, do not make Closet-duties your money, least you and your money perish together.