A29703:605
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.
If we do not make a trade of Closet-prayer, we shall never make any yearnings of Closet-prayer. Look as they that get money by their Iron Mills, do keep a continual fire in their Iron Mills; so they that will ⟨p. 342⟩get any soul-good by Closet-duties, they must keep close and constant to Closet-duties. The hypocrite is only constant in inconstancy, he is only in his Closet by fits and starts; now and then, when he is in a good mood, you shall find him step into his Closet, but he never holds it; Job 27. 10. Will he always call upon God? or as the Hebrew hath it, VVill he in every time call upon God? When they are under the smarting rod, or when they are upon the tormenting rack, or when they are under 1grievous wants, or when they are struck with panic fears, &c. then you shall have them run to their Closets, as Joab run to the horns of the Altar, when he was in danger of death; but they never persevere, they never hold out to the end; and therefore in the end they lose both their Closet-prayers, and their Souls together.
If we do not make a trade of Closet-prayer, we shall never make any yearnings of Closet-prayer. Look as they that get money by their Iron Mills, do keep a continual fire in their Iron Mills; so they that will ⟨p. 342⟩get any soul-good by Closet-duties, they must keep close and constant to Closet-duties. The hypocrite is only constant in inconstancy, he is only in his Closet by fits and starts; now and then, when he is in a good mood, you shall find him step into his Closet, but he never holds it; Job 27. 10. Will he alwayes call upon God? or as the Hebrew hath it, VVill he in every time call upon God? When they are under the smarting rod, or when they are upon the tormenting rack, or when they are under 1grievous wants, or when they are struck with panick feares, &c. then you shall have them run to their Closets, as Joab run to the horns of the Altar, when he was in danger of death; but they never persevere, they never hold out to the end; and therefore in the end they lose both their Closet-prayers, and their Souls together.