A29703:631
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.
Fourthly, I answer, When a man hath Communion with God in his Closet, then he gives God the glory of all his actings and 1activities. Communion with God always helps a man to set the Crown of praise and honour upon the head of God, witness that gracious and grateful Doxology of David and his people in that 1 Chr. 29. 13. Now therefore our God, we ⟨p. 365⟩thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. Men that enjoy no Communion with God in Religious Duties, are still a sacrificing unto their own Net, and a burning incense unto 2their own Drag; they are still a blessing themselves, and a stroking of themselves, and applauding 3themselves, they think the Garland of praise, the Crown of honour becomes no head but their own; but now, men that enjoy Communion with God in Religious Duties, they will uncrown themselves to crown God, they will uncrown their duties, to Crown the God of their duties, they will 4uncrown their arts, parts, gifts and enlargements, to set the Crown of praise upon the head of God alone. Thou thinkest that thou hast Communion with God in Closet-duties, yea, thou sayest that thou hast Communion with God in Closet-duties, but on whose head dost thou put the garland of praise? if on 5Gods head, thou hast Communion with God; if on thine own head, ⟨p. 366⟩thou hast no Communion with God. As all the Rivers run into the sea, & all the lines meet in the Centre; so when all our Closet-duties terminate and centre in the advance of Gods glory, then have we communion with God in them.
Fourthly, I answer, When a man hath Communion with God in his Closet, then he gives God the glory of all his actings and