A29703:710
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.
First, Lament greatly, and mourn bitterly over the neglect of this choice Duty. He that doth not make Conscience of mourning over the neglect of this Duty, will never make Conscience of performing this Duty. O that 1your heads were waters, and your eyes a Fountain of tears, that you might weep day and night, for the great neglect of Closet-prayer, He that mourns most for the neglect of this Duty, will be found most in the practise of this Duty. He that makes most Conscience to accuse, arraign, and condemn himself for neglecting Closet-prayer, he will make most Conscience of giving himself ⟨p. 452⟩up to Closet-prayer. 'Tis said of Adam, that he turned his face towards the Garden of Eden, and from his heart bitterly lamented his great fall: O that you would turn your faces towards your Closets, and bitterly lament your rare going into them. But,
Secondly, Habituate your selves, accustom your selves, to Closet-prayer: Make private prayer your constant trade. Frequency begets familiarity, and familiarity confidence, we can go freely & boldly into that friends house whom we often visit. What we are habituated to, we do with ease and delight. A man that is habituated or accustomed to write, to read, to ride, to run, or to play on this, or that musical Instrument, &c. he doth it all with delight and ease; and so a man that doth habituate himself to Closet-prayer, he will manage it with delight and ease. But,
Secondly, Habituate your selves, accustom your selves, to Closet-prayer: Make private prayer your constant trade. Frequency begets familiarity, and familiarity confidence, we can go freely & boldly into that friends house whom we often visit. What we are habituted to, we do with ease and delight. A man that is habituted or accustomed to write, to read, to ride, to run, or to play on this, or that musical Instrument, &c. he doth it all with delight and ease; and so a man that doth habituate himself to Closet-prayer, he will manage it with delight and ease. But,