A29703:619
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.
This is a very noble and necessary Question, and accordingly it calls for a clear and satisfactory Answer; and therefore thus,
This is a very noble and necessary Question, and accordingly it calls for a cleer and satisfactory Answer; and therefore thus,
First, A man may have Communion Sol. with God in sorrow and tears, when he hath not Communion with God in joy delight; a 1man may have Communion with God in a heart-humbling, a heart-melting, and a heart-abasing way, when he hath not Communion with God in a heart reviving, a heart-cheering, and a heart-comforting way. 'Tis a very great mistake among many tender spirited Christians, to think that they have no Communion with God in their Closets, except they meet with God embracing and kissing, 2cheering and comforting up of ⟨p. 353⟩their souls; when they find God raising the springs of joy and comfort in their souls, when they find God a speaking peace unto them, when they find the singular sensible 3presence of God cheering, refreshing, and enlarging of them in their Closets, O then they are willing to grant that they have had sweet Communion with God in their Closets; But if God meets with them in their Closets, and only breaks their hearts for sin, and from sin, if he meets with them and only makes his power and his presence manifest, in debasing and casting down of their souls, upon the sight and sense of their strong corruptions and many imperfections, how unwilling are are they to believe that they have had any Communion with God. Well Friends, remember this once for all, viz. That a Christian may have as real Communion with God in a heart-humbling way, as he can have in a heart-comforting way; a Christian may have as ⟨p. 354⟩