Ans. The many Instances Recorded in the Scripture, concerning the faithful Servants of God, who have conscientiously practised this duty, are an evidence of the truth of this Doctrine. As to the great and essential duties of Religion, all that truly fear God, practise alike: As the Apostle doth here intimate, where he saith, I serve God from my fore-Fathers. A true Servant of God, will follow the pious Example of those that have gone before him walking in the same way of Holiness, which they have done, Prov. 2. 20. Heb. 6. 12. Now concerning this duty of Secret Prayer, we find many Examples (both in the Old Testament, and in the New) of the Lords Servants who have thus practised; and that as to all sorts of Men, Superiors, Inferiors, Fathers, Children, Masters, Servants, who have had the fear of God planted in their hearts; thus did Abraham, Gen. 18. 23. and Eliezer, Abraham's godly Servant, Gen. 24. 12. And Isaac his gracious Son; it is noted of him, ver. 63. That he went out to meditate; or (as the He brew word Lasuach may be read) to pray. The word ⟨p. 132⟩signifieth both to pray and to meditate, and it is not improbable but that Isaac did at that time, nothing but what was his daily custom to do, even retire himself from all company, for secret Prayer and meditation. And the like we read concerning Jacob, that he did wrestle with the Lord in secret Prayer, Gen. 32. 24. They are not the spiritual seed of Jacob that never do thus. I might mention Hezekiah, Daniel, Jeremiah Peter, and many other holy Servants of God, of whom we read in the Scripture, that they did practise this duty. Yea, we have the greatest Example that ever was, set before us for our imitation in this particular, that is Christs own Example; of whom it is said, that He departed into a solitary place and there prayed, Mark 1. 35. That he went apart to Pray, Mat. 14. 23. That he withdrew himself and prayed, Luk. 5. 16. And as the Lord Jesus Christ said, respecting another duty, I have given you an Example that ye should do as I have done, Joh: 13: 15: so doth he say as to this duty of Secret Prayer: I have given you an Example, and caused ⟨p. 133⟩it to be entered upon everlasting Record, that so you that are my Disciples may in this follow me; and truly the sincere Disciples of Christ, will make conscience, so to walk as he walked, 1 Joh: 2: 6:
Ans. The many Instances Recorded in the Scripture, concerning the faithful Servants of God, who have conscientiously practised this duty, are an evidence of the truth of this Doctrine. As to the great and essential duties of Religion, all that truly fear God, practise alike: As the Apostle doth here intimate, where he saith, I serve God from my fore-Fathers. A true Servant of God, will follow the pious Example of those that have gone before him walking in the same way of Holiness, which they have done, Prov. 2. 20. Heb. 6. 12. Now concerning this duty of Secret Prayer, we find many Examples (both in the Old Testament, and in the New) of the Lords Servants who have thus practised; and that as to all sorts of Men, Superiors, Inferiors, Fathers, Children, Masters, Servants, who have had the fear of God planted in their hearts; thus did Abraham, Gen. 18. 23. and Eliezer, Abraham's godly Servant, Gen. 24. 12. And Isaac his gracious Son; it is noted of him, ver. 63. That he went out to meditate; or (as the He brew word Lasuach may be read) to pray. The word ⟨p. 132⟩signifieth both to pray and to meditate, and it is not improbable but that Isaac did at that time, nothing but what was his daily custom to do, even retire himself from all company, for secret Prayer and meditation. And the like we read concerning Jacob, that he did wrestle with the Lord in secret Prayer, Gen. 32. 24. They are not the spiritual seed of Jacob that never do thus. I might mention Hezekiah, Daniel, Jeremiah Peter, and many other holy Servants of God, of whom we read in the Scripture, that they did practise this duty. Yea, we have the greatest Example that ever was, set before us for our imitation in this particular, that is Christs own Example; of whom it is said, that He departed into a solitary place and there prayed, Mark 1. 35. That he went apart to Pray, Mat. 14. 23. That he withdrew himself and prayed, Luk. 5. 16. And as the Lord Jesus Christ said, respecting another duty, I have given you an Example that ye should do as I have done, Joh: 13: 15: so doth he say as to this duty of Secret Prayer: I have given you an Example, and caused
