A29703:697
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, Consider, That secret sins are in some respects more dangerous than open sins. Many a man bleeds to death inwardly, and no man perceives it. The more inward and secret the disease is, the more the man is in danger to lose his life. There are no Fevers so dangerous, as those that prey upon the spirits and inward parts; so there are no sins so dangerous and pernicious to the souls of men, as those that are most inward and secret. secret sins often reign in the souls of men most powerfully when least apparently.
First, Consider, That he that sins secretly deprives himself of those helps and remedies, which by a divine blessing might arm him against sin, yea, make him victorious over sin, to wit, the Prayers, Counsels, Reproofs, Examples and Encouragements of ⟨p. 445⟩Friends, Relations, &c. A mans house may be on fire; but whilst 'tis all inward help comes not in; but when the fire flames out, when it catcheth the outside of the house, then help runs in, then help on all hands is ready. He that sins in secret debars himself of all public Remedy, and takes great pains to damn his soul in a corner, and to go to Hell in the dark. But,
First, Consider, That he that sins secretly deprives himself of those helps and remedies, which by a divine blessing might arm him against sin, yea, make him victorious over sin, to wit, the Prayers, Counsels, Reproofs, Examples and Encouragements of ⟨p. 445⟩Friends, Relations, &c. A mans house may be on fire; but whilest 'tis all inward help comes not in; but when the fire flames out, when it catcheth the outside of the house, then help runs in, then help on all hands is ready. He that sins in secret debars himself of all publick Remedy, and takes great pains to damn his soul in a corner, and to go to Hell in the dark. But,