The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan…

2. It is in our secret prayers that God doth ordinarily give the greatest discoveries of his love▪ Jacob met with ⟨p. 55⟩the blessing when he wrestled with God in secret. As Cornelius was praying by himself alone, a Man in bright clothing, or an Angel, appeared to him, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, Act. 10. 30, 31. When Peter was praying alone upon the House, he saw a Vision, and heard a Voice from Heaven speaking unto him, Act. 10. 9, 10, &c. The secrets of the Lord are usually revealed unto his people, when they are seeking him in secret. Christ giveth his sweetest kisses, and dearest embraces to his Spouse when she is alone.

2. It is in our secret prayers that God doth ordinarily give the greatest discoveries of his love▪ Iacob met with ⟨p. 55⟩the blessing when he wrestled with God in secret. As Cornelius was praying by himself alone, a Man in bright cloathing, or an Angel, appeared to him, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, Act. 10. 30, 31. When Peter was praying alone upon the House, he saw a Vision, and heard a Voice from Heaven speaking unto him, Act. 10. 9, 10, &c. The secrets of the Lord are usually revealed unto his people, when they are seeking him in secret. Christ giveth his sweetest kisses, and dearest imbraces to his Spouse when she is alone.

Yet how is this duty of secret prayer generally omitted, especially by the younger sort of Citizens, whose heads, and hearts, and time are so taken up with sensual pleasures, and worldly businesses, that they can scarce allow themselves any time to spend with God in secret. Surely such do plainly demonstrate, that they love the World, and the pleasures thereof, more than God himself. Nay, how can such say, that they love God at all in truth and sincerity, when they delight not in communion with him? nor love to have any intercourse with him in secret?