A29703:591
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.
It was the speech of blessed Bradford, that he would never leave a Duty, till he had brought his heart into the frame of the duty; he would not leave confession of sin, till his heart was broken for sin; he would not leave petitioning for grace, till his heart was quickened and enlivened, in a hopeful expectation of more grace; he would not leave gratulation, till his heart was enlarged with the sense of the mercies he enjoyed, and quickened in the return of praise.
It was the speech of blessed Bradford, that he would never leave a Duty, till he had brought his heart into the frame of the duty; he would not leave confession of sin, till his heart was broken for sin; he would not leave petitioning for grace, till his heart was quickened and enlivened, in a hopeful expectation of more grace; he would not leave gratulation, till his heart was enlarged with the sence of the mercies he enjoyed, and quickened in the return of praise.
My sixth advice and counsel is this, Be fervent, be warm, be importunate with God in all your Closet-duties and performances. ⟨p. 329⟩James 5. 17. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much; or as the Greek hath it, the working prayer; that is, such working 1prayer as sets the whole man on work, as sets all the faculties of the soul, and all the graces in the 2soul at work; the word signifies such a working as notes the liveliest activity that can be. Certainly all those usual phrases, of crying, wrestling and striving with God, which are scattered up and down in Scripture, do strongly argue that holy importunity, and sacred violence that the Saints of old have expressed in their addresses to God. Fervency feathers the wings of prayer, and makes them fly the swifter to Heaven. An Arrow if it be drawn up but a little way, flies not far; but if it be drawn up to the head, it will fly far, and pierce deeply: So fervent