A29703:581
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.
Adam was to win life and wear 1it, he was to be saved by his doings, Do this and live: Hence it is that 2all his posterity are so prone to seek for salvation by doing; What ⟨p. 318⟩shall we do to be saved? and good Master, 3what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Like Father, like Son. But if our own duties or doings were sufficient to save us, to what purpose did Christ leave his Fathers bosom, and lay down his dearest life, &c. Closet-duties rested in may pacify Conscience for a time; but this will not always hold: When Ephraim saw his sickness, and 4Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to King Jareb; yet could they not heal him, nor cure him of his wound. If we rest on Closet-duties, or on any thing else on this side Christ, we shall find them as weak as the Assyrian, or as Jareb; we shall find to our cost, that they can't help us nor heal us; they can't comfort us, nor cure us of our wounds. As creatures, so duties, were never true to any that have trusted in them. When the Israelites were in great 5distress, the Lord bids them go and cry unto the gods which they had chosen, and let them deliver you ⟨p. 319⟩(saith God) in the time of your tribulation. O Sirs, if when you are under distress of Conscience, or lying upon a dying Bed, God should say to you, go to your Closet-prayers and performances, that you have made and rested in; go to your Closet-tears that you have shed and rested in, and let them save you and deliver you; Oh what miserable saviours and comforters would they be unto you? Look what the Ark of God was to the Philistines, that Closet-duties 6are to Satan; he trembles every time he sees a poor sinner go into his Closet, and come out of his Closet resting and glorying in Jesus, and not in his duties; but when he sees a poor creature confide in his Closet-duties, and rest upon his Closet-duties, then he rejoiceth, then he claps his hands and sings aha so would I have it. Orest not on any thing on this side Jesus Christ; say to your graces, say to your duties, say to your holiness, you are not my Saviour, you are