CLOSET-J;>RA·Y - "· A · Chrift:ian • . .1 I Duty.: ~ OR A . , , , TREAT I ·SEl . UPO,N MAT. ' \ii. 6. f ' ~· • I • • -Tending to prove that the W orfbip of God~n Secret, is the indifpenfibleDuty , ~ of all Chriftians ;·. both by fundry _ .Examr les and Arguments~ · ' t. ·with a: fevere :Rebtike · of Chtifiians for f. ' their Neglect c>f, or Negligence ~n, the Buty.l;· ofClofet-Prayer: Aad manyDireCtions for the ~ ~anaging thereof, Exhortati~ns to it, Obje<li- , ons.anfwered,·Cafes of Confc1encecleared. By 0 . H £ ,TWOOD, Minifi:er oftb~ Gofpel.· ' . . . _ J ER. ·XIIf~ 17~ ,... B~t if ye wilt not hear it, my ~Soul fon/1 we~p in fe~. , eret places for your pr~dc, aJJd m1ne e1ejh~/t rr~ap , e, and ·~1m down With tears, becit~tfe tht Lords lo~/zis . carried away c~tptive. · ( ' ' 1 ' : . Londen, Printed for Tho.·Pttr~hurft aftheBible _A.... n .... ' three Crowns at the lower end ofCheapfide, I ees L~~~~~~~-~~------~aOfol
.. "- . .... i.t.t!!.t.t!it.t!!!!ll!!!£ ~ . " 1 I . ' THE , . EP I ST 1~ E to the R E AD ER : ' / ; -- - Efpeci~lly to .the ftriCl: and ferious- · .·· Profeffor of Chriftianity o • • . Chrifl:.ian Reade'r, r > • ~ ' ' • : TH ~power of Godline{s u muchfpoken of, but (l , am afraid) _very rarely to he found amongft . [ ev~n ]famous Profejfors: Moft content .them- ; ftlves ~with externalviftbl~ duties, -'!V_hic~:· formr:~,lifts .11Jay . ~arry on with as .much fuming z..eal and applaufe alfi.&.~: .. cere worjhipper;: :4 formP'll (pirit is the difea{e of tf?ep.~~l'j·' . fent day,: ,.the bea1iu ofGofpel-light, h~tvtfo far extralled an ajfent to fundamental truths., ·-and f.he necelfity_~.f[ .(!me ~ . practical duties, that 'tis a Jluune in fome pla_f,a!l~t.t.~~: · ~ave a Form ofGot/!i?iefs: jVlany tvil!~e found OfHbt4ixt.~ '· i~ thei-;: Judg·mcnts, .. and exte~n~tlly conformable in·ti;eir . : praClices; yet without a principleofqrace in their hearts, or· the life of·Religion in their Lives, irz the day ofac-: · counts; witne{j the fooli(h Virgins • ...Thoufandi _.do final- ; ly .mi(carry befi~es rhe grojlv prophan.e: So~ego ~o He~l · Wtth a candle z.n ~hezr han_d.r, Chrt{fs Colours 1n thez.r ha,ts, his Word in their mouths, _~nd in the haBit of Re"-. ligion : .. E1i~1(Y DIZ~ is _ not a Sa~nt, t.ha~look! ~ikt one; a · · painted pi[fure '. ~4kes _a [11ir, Jhew, but wan~s. life: A · . .~~rmali{f . wzl{ be con!~ly .indeed' if ~en.imated witJ: : t~e Jruth of $rPtce: .!!ut . tbe ,. leave'! of hypocrifie JP.oylt. , lt1fi11J$..o~d tlftt'le} .; ::.Thu was thllt lelfVt:Jl .o{th~.Phart(ees . - t.lh~t jl'l9red their p'rayers, an~ rendrea them, J,(fa{lf~tl ' ~~ 4 2,
. _ .~. _ to ~he Reader. .·. _ _ ymdlfe Rcltgtous duttes a.ft11ge to all vaznlJorj . , their Prayers hada thickJhell and little kernel. Our Saviot-(;r would not have the Saints lik.! them. Chrifts Difciple.r muftdo fome fingulttr thing, more than.others; Their righteoufne(s muft go be__yond that of the Scribts and Pharifees: Sincerity is that fpirit and life that is to rHn throlt,~h Religion: . el(e it is a Body without a Soul; tJr Cloaths Without the Man: This is the chief 1rift ofout I SavioHrs teachi~{, and main Defign of G'ofptl Com... ma'ndr;·· tt/fender Profc.lfors fincere at~d jpiritu4l,. appro-· ving their hellrti td God in Evangelical performan-ces. I have many times ber:vttiled the condition of tho(e who ar~ very bu/ie in Externals ofReligion abroad,. and are,g,rofly negligent ofthemainElfentials4t home. fhej lire-lib$ thoje who arepropping ~~~ fom,remo.te members of their body~ while their _Vitals are wafting in a fanguifhing Con- · Jumption: Thefeare·lik! a Ma11 in a Feaver,his face and handrbHrn, but hiJ heartjha/trs and quiver.r for told."' Thefo I mtty eaU Pepper·profeffors, hot in. th-e mouth,- but coldat thejlomath: There ~tre thoufandsin the lVorld l'-i/1 ,run many miles tD hear a Sermon, will countenAnce tht beft l'rellcherJ-, will read the ScriptNre.r 14nd good Boo/Q.; will pr":)'in thtir Families, yea k.,eep dayes offafting ana Prayer with others,- that yet wiB n'ot {it about heart-' work... and ~efh-difpleafing duties, of mortifying belovttl lufts, loving,forgiving t~~nd prayin~for enemies; -ye~t ; that will not Jet themJClves folemnty ffJ the dnties ofMe..: dit~ttion, Self-ex~mination, and {ecret Prayer : the Vef- · fel will notftir except the n1indof applaufe blow• the foils; thefe ~tre li~e the NightiNgale in the wood, of ~hich it .ii -recl}rded, that foe fit:~g.r moft fweetly when {ht thin~s any u near her. AnHypocrite can p~al: b~ft,when tak.tnNotice"· tJjby men, you wiO feldom fee him at workvwit~ his heArt • 11 Clofet ... he is ofthe mindofthofe carnal perfont of · s natHrai kfndred, J oh ~ 7·4· who {aid· to Chrift, If ~hou do theie thing~, flle\v thy felf to the World·:,F ,_ f11il
The Epifrle to the Reader. {~tith t·he Text, .ver. 5· neither did his brethre.n beH_eye in him: q. d. Such as carry on duties, or counfel others I to,fuch undertakf:.n.rslas may expofe them to public~view I for oflentation, de~lareplainly they rpant truegrace, whic.h makes perjons Jews inwardly, whofe circumcifion i.s qf the heart, in the Spirit, whofe praife is not of tnen, ' but of Qod : Rom. 2. 29. The main tr~de of a Chriflian, is his Home-trade, tt.s one faith, , . 1 . 11 . · h· h · {J . r. b · G' d Gurnal s C 1n Iatl w zc u pent zn 1 ecret etwtxt o A eh p 1 dh . J; l h h d . rmour, a • 2. an t! own 1 ou : ~re e nveJ t~n un- ·sea. 3 . p. 3 o 4 • k!.town Trllde, he u at Heaven ttnd ~omeagain, richly laden inhu thoughts 1vith heavenly me– JitAtions,beforethe World knows where he bathbeen. The eonjidtr~tt~on of theft things bath engaged me t() • /Pend fome thoughts, concerning this great and much r.·eg– leEJedDutyofClo[it-PrAyer; which when I had deliv~red.,- ' and feveral hadgot Coptes thereof, it was judged fit f(;·r the Prefs,{ome hopesctJnceivedof its further ujefulnefs; I perufed it again, anameth,oJiz..ed it iuto tbi-:5 ff!r11J, and eommHnicated my thoughts to fome concerning tk~ public~tion \ofit. · Afriendt,llVe me notice there w1~ a :p,ook ex;.. : tant Hpon the fame Subjeil, which I enquiru! afttrl ~md fo~ndone ofMr. Brooks on the (ame Text: ThvV J]oo/z{ lool(d over, ~end wat ready to tbink)t,would fave 1nc a la– hour; but, upon fecond thoughts, I conjidcred tbv?.t this. mi(Tht f40 into {ome hands that fr?ould not; that fo~·crlll m:;z writing on the fame SubjeEt may be ufef~l, 'is ordina~ ry; that fJUr Meth1d and mo{f ofour A:Jatter is dijfe-,·ent i for I hadJini.Jh'd mine before I faR? the othn·, except 'f1T~ tJ·r three leAves in the clofe: Befiqes that ,the other is lm;ger, rhisA {mall Piec~, and morepo~table, as a po~k.£t-boc;~., or Vade me~um: let it be th&n ~Jhort Appendix to that ex~ e11lent Pie~e. ' . · I AmheArtilyglad, 11ny ofGods fervan.ts have[et them· fol'Ues to promote this par~ ofpracri&al piety; •ris an excel· lint de.ftgn,Andlam well aj[ured, ifChriftifJns tvere mfJr I ~ -;; rl
The Epiftle to the Reacle.r. . in the_ir Clo{ets with God, _ thei~ own fouls would thriy~ -- 'better, andthings would Jucceed better abroad; Mr. · ~ogers &eingfilencedfrompublick work, defired his, Hearers to fpend ·that -time they were wont to come tohii Leflure in, in ferio,us Prayer and Meditation in 'their Cto[ets 1 ftnd he was confide(1t Satan rvoul4 bea lofer, ant;/ their{oulsgainers by that providence : ...lnd this I ca~t a_ffirm, that if f'er– fons woul4fpendpart ofthat ti'(ne inJeeret Prayer they take 'to runaprot~dto S~rmons£n.,theywouldbe better pro{icient.u :Not but that· h~~ripg t'bc word is necejfary., and fo is this ; nor muft the ~n~ iuftteour·the;pther :ye.a,thefe fecret _duticf. ·help us to -profit by publick.. Ordinances. Ifdung be pour'id ·.down on heaps in theJie!d,it doth no goo4; it muff lfefp'reat/ ·abrolflt/> before it mtlR,s fruitful e;round. The plaifter-heals nqt' except it bf applyed, fo the ~ordm!Jft ·be (pread on our he~trts by (eriouJ1ndfecret Medittftionand'Application_,or elfe it will never makg our fouls · he~tlthful and fru~tful; and then 7Ve muft pray O'!JCY it, for thcjh'~Wers ~~ div~ne grace to wafi1 it ancf work it into our hear($ .~ .lvfan:.,v Ser:_· mons arf lof! for want of foul.ttaking them·home to their: Clofets,a!Jd turning them tp Prayer: I feat all wi{lbe' lit": tle enough that Minift_er's can preach or write t~pon_ thi~ Theam; I doubt jlill, this work_. will be ,either totally neg.:. leEtedernegligentlyperforJ1!:ed: it's anhar4 work,theSpir# :muft travel in it; and (faithgood Mr. B_ains.J the Sai~J_ts canendure}etter to hear an hour., than to 'pray ~ quart~r: ye~e ourtriflinghearts willmaksanye,x_cufe toJhift fronrthif_ duty, or fhuffle it off; n~ty ,though it be itJ exchangefor ano· ther,aJignthe Work is ofGod, and tending much to thefoul$ .glJod, Oi'" elfe Satan ar'·d our corrupt he4ris wouldneverr~ ~uch hinder fir oppoje it. · · . , . · · ;, , I foor Soul, it may be -thou loo~eft abro_ad 1 anq[eeft m!§~~ wickpdnefs committed, holine{s perfecuterJ, thy God dijli1• noured-, many thingsout oforder, thouw,anteft a e.apacitJ to bring aremedy: I muft therefflrt [dJ to . thee tfJS #' .s; ed'J Albertus Cral}tziqsf~id to Luther~ when /Je h~g . - '
. The Epiftle to the Reader. to oppo[e the Pope, [Frater vade in c~llam, & die, MiCe~ rere mei 'IDeus :] Bro.ther, go into thy cell, and (ay, God be merciful unto me; fo (ay[. AlM; thv intereft ttnd in– fluence reacheth but a little ,way to mend a wick§d world., ( thq~gh thou muft fee~ to.perform as far as thy place an/. ca/Jinge~tends;) but go thyw'ay to thy God in thy Clo{et, bewail thy fins, and the [i17s ofothers: plead with God for .thine ownfoul -~· J!ufie thy{tlfabeut thy felf, [et all {traight ,at home, tak.{heed of that which thtJ poo-r Church complains of, Cant. ·I. 6. They made me .the keceper of theVine.. yards, but mine own Vineyard have I not kept. Oh .leave other thi7:~gs undone, rather than thisgreat matt~r, that concerns the affairs ofthine own {out. . . ·. Mr. Fox tells tu ofone Peter Moyc€, aGerman Martyr, being called before the Synod at ~ M r.r r' D . .k h b . h. A-..[s & on. 2 r o .. , . orntc ·' t ey . eg!ln to exa~~ne zm lib. 8.fol. l 2 ~· z,n certatn Arttcles of Reltgr,on, to whom M hewas abo~tt io ~tnfwer boldly and exprejly to e·ve· ry point, they interrupting him, bad-him fay in ·twuwords, Y,ea or Nay: Then, [aid he, ~fyou will l'ftot fojfer me to anfrper,for my [elfin thingJ offuch importance, (end.me to my Pri(on again amoni' my·Toads and FroJ_s, tvhich will .not interrupt me while I talk with my Lord my God. Oh Chrijlian, the time mvzy come, wh'(n men may jftJp thy mouth, A-nd will not Jujfer thee to witnefs 'agood confejfi· en, ·withdraw thy }elffrom men, and retire unto thy God, who will make thee freely welcom to pour· out' thy foul ttJ ~im in fecret: . . He'I neither flop thy mouth nor ftop his ear'; he bids th"ce, Open thy mouth wide, P_(al. 81. 10. Andhe tells thoe;His ear is open to thycry, P[al.34·15. Thou ,canft not aJk._fuch great things as he can aljd will give-: Onlyfe~ thou beeft a Child ofGod. · Natutdlifts tell ofa·piecious Stone of an excellent vertue, yet loftth 'itlt #s efficA-cy when 'tis put 'into a dead mani'mouth: (o Praje"f! in ~ the lips'of·'a Saint .or a righteous man, availeth much ; tbut thePrayer ·ofthe wi,ked u not only ine!fetJual, ( . .A 4
The Epifile to t~1e Reader. ~ bomh:.a~le to God: See to ,yoHr ftate, and then fee thdt You pr.ay aright, for manner, nuttttr, end : m~tny ask ttnd receive not-; becau(e they ask... amifs : Above all, Soul, in thyfecret addrejfes toGod, takp heed ·of a trifling fpirit ; rhou'/t finamoft ado with thy{elfhercm: QUrWttnton fpiritl Ar~ loath to be pentl}p in a narrow room of a fpiritual p~r.. formance ~ we love to talzy our liberty in ra'llging abroad · ~O a tbou(and objefls : but.Chriflia(l, M thou loveft thy peace, thy. Soul,thy.God, loo'J:. to thyfpirit in {ecret Prt~yer: Do not tr:ifle away thy time upon thy cyeeJ, let not thy 'J:91rds /reez.,e as they comp from thee, Jet no difcourage– l'l!entt beat- thee off: the Woman of Canaan, as one faith, t~ekes the :Qullets that Chrift Jhot at her, and w~th an. bnmbleboldnefs of faith, fends them: back., again in Pray-– er; which indetd ref1ch:d his heart, ~ndrrev.1iled with (Jod fo~ mercy. '- . r • . • ' But, 1flutll' inlarte nomor:e At prefent, but refer thee fo this fmallTreatifetJ wherewith I h'ave ( according to my pMr talent) laid before thee thisgr.eat Huty: What ejftfl ~t jhall have 1/z,now not, l'!lY God ~nows, in whfi.[e hands ~he ble.Jli'!g of our endea1Jour:s lyes; Get a/ot,te and pray fJ'Ver this Book~ and for the unwtJrthy .finful Author, as ~e defires to Jo for thee intowh,fe hands this may com~; let our Pr~eyers t/vzily meet. at the TllroiJe.ofGrace; till our fouls meet befor,e. the Throne of God; if thou recei11e{l 'Any ,gtJod hy t~is or ~ny other work.. this poor, worm hath 'handed Po thee, afcribe nothi1Jg to the inforument, bHt all t~ the agent, and efficient .. our-goodGod, from whon: co"mei :~'1 ~1/erygood and perfeft gift, difdains not the WtJrk..,.ftJr tkrt plainnefs of the ftyle; it WM purftofely_ put it) this drefsfor the Vulgar~sbenefit ; .Ani/ if it or myfelf be txpD.f-ed to 'en~ [ure-.for that, 'tis welcotf.!; I writenot to plt•feJearne&( $,holars, but to profit plain Chrijlia~J ; Whofe fpiritH~l .{ood I preftr abD'lie anycredit tomyfelf. I 11111 Jure, .therfl t-s none due: there b_eing few()f mybrethrinbutthly tran- . trt41Jif. inp~tr~s ""41~~rnin,t; BQt byt~ gr~ce <>fQed ' ' . '-~ "'· . ~ .. -· . ... ~ ~ .
The Epiftle to the ~eader~ . I amwhat lam, I Cor. 1 5. I o. Nor ~ tha~ ~r.rttce 1!1/tq~· ·. gether in v~in: for as it bath hclped"11!e in my labours,fo pe bath in fome mettfureblejfednty l~bours,though I be no-: ' 7 .thing, the lea.~ ofSain_p, notmeet tobe called 4 . Minifter. Did thofe that readmy lt~bO:urs k,.nt~HJ me, they would b, ready to defpife myundertakings : This I[pea~, hfCt!.Hfo · my former bfJok hath found f uchgoqdacceptt~nce, and this ufo much defired. And that no man think ofme, abov 1 . what he knoweth to be in me: my hearr bath be.tn near f~inting through difcoura._r;;emertts frommygreat ~e~tk.ye(s, had I not beetifupported ma~ya time w_ith tha~ word, in z Cor~ 4· 7· But we have t~ts 't~eafure u1 earrh~n veffels, that_.the excellency of the Power may be QfGod, and .not of Man. IVhence I gather, th~t G~4 ca1J makeufe of wea/z;., unlearned 7 finf ul Inftruments to do great works ; and he can ufe perfons of mearJ. abilities, to .ac"omplijb his gluti~us ends, in c~n11erting Soul-s, M well m .the profouf!de{f Clerk!, or wifeft men on eart~: yea fometimel he Jayeth tt,jide thefe,_~end rather ufeth the ff!rmer, that all . the glory might be his ; And th,a.t no fl~lh might glory in his prefence: 1 C~r. I. 29. But {Hch a-s I am or: have, is all devoted to the ~onour of our Rede1mer, and welfare of S~uls, · Otlob.3r. · ' ·· Whif.es I am ••. •c/ • , o , I668e < 1 . . ' ' .. ~. . .. ~he
.The CONT~NTS of the ~ook. CHAP. I. . 3 Thou lofefl- not thy laSetl:.I.THecontextclear... , hour, .' .P• 28 ed, · pag. 1 4 Th9u ownefr . · Gods SeCt.2.TheworJs_rxplaind4 , · omniprefence. . · 29 Sect. 3. Dollrines raifed, 7 SeC1:.4. Reaj.4.God·re'wards Sect4. Inftttnces for Clofetopenly,four ways, 3 I Pr~eyer, I I . 1. R'eturning vifible An. I. Abraham, ibid. fwers, 3.2 2. Ifaac, I 2 2. Difcriminating provi- , 3. cyacob, 13 . d-ences, 3·3 4· Mojes, . , 14 Sett. 5. 3· /ncreafe of Gr~- 5. Da·vid, · .. _ibid. ces, 36 Sect. 5. More lnfta,~ce~ of .Sett. 6. 4· Solemn owning ' 6. Elijdh, .· , .. 1 5 . at the great Day, . 39 ·7. Jereniia.h, \·, ..:. I 6 . , CHAP. Ill. ,. · 8. D~enie/9 · · ibid. . SeCt. 1. Vft 1. OfInforma .. 9· feter, , , · · I 7 , tion, concerning place~ of 10: . Jefiu Chrift, , i ~8 Prayer, ' 41 · CH A·P. II. . Sett.')..Thenatureofprayer, SeC}:. I.Rea{on 1 .Conveniert~ 1. It i5 an immediate cj of Privacy, 19 . IVorjhip, · - 43' For 1 Expoftl!latian, -20 j ~~ Cannot be interrupt2 Againft diftraflion, 21 ed, · · 44 Seer. 2. Rea[ 2, Rel'ation Sect. 3. 3! The power of . be~wixtGor},and ,~oul,23 Pr~:tyer, . , ' 46 l The heartsfr~e Dpening, sea. 4· 4· The p~operty of to a Father, · ibid. a Chriftian,- . 49 . 2 God communicates him~ . . .CHAP.. IV. . (elf to it, ,. 2) Sett. t. V(e of .Reprehen– Setl. 3. ,Rea(. 3. Godfees i~ . fion, 1. Of Wick.,ed, 52 · 1 fecrct., i.e. 27 Set't.2. 2,.0[Godly,for neg.. .1 .l:ie ta/zes notice rr:hethe.r ' 'lefling this ; .herein, 54 · thou pray, ibid. ' I They are unlikf! ]efl/4 ~Sees thy {ecretjiru, 2~- Chrift, } . , , . ., a. ~·
i -The Contents. ;1 Vnlikf the Saif!tt of tf! Gods wiN, pag.77 ·· God, . pa.56 4· In the name of Jefus 3 'J)nlikf themfelvesforChrift, · 79 , merly, '- · 57 \ CH.A.P. VI. S_e8. 3. 4 They lofe much Seer• .z. 3 CircumftanC!} a- .. fpiritual good, 58 bout Cloftt-·PrtJ.yer, · 81 5 Expofo themfelve.s to . Place, 82 temptations, . i~id. Referring- Pofture, ibid. 6 rhey exprefs littlelave to - ·. Seafon, . 8; toGod, . . 59 J . ~ • .' Voyce, . .84 7 .Grofs ingv4titude to Sect. 2., 4 Dutief .confc- -· -him, - · ·6o . 9uent to ii, . .- . . 8S . SeCl. 4· ,8 ' They C()ntradift . 1 _ Obforve ot/s ~tpp,e.ar- - the Spirit.s motions, · 6 I _ . . ance, ' ; . ibid. ~ . .9 May .be. fleptiveq -~ of , ; 2 Jfqi~ fuitably, · 86 ' ,. ;·Helps,. _'\ .,_, ~-.' ! 62 Sec.3 ~-3 Waitfor Returns88 I o What if Chrift fur~ 4 Communic/:tte Experi- .priz...e them ir{n~gieH.63 ments, _89 CHAP. V. \ · CHAP. VII. , Sect. I. 3: Vfe of lnftruCfi· Sect I. Concerningmatter_ ,· ·fJn -about CJofet·pra.yer : - · or wor-ds _ofPraye~., - -9'2- -Wherein are, i. PreparaI Lords Prayer is para– tives to it, 66 · phra(ed, 93 ~ Loo/z.toyour State, ib. Sect 2. 2. Wherein an ex- .2Lay ajide other bufiampk propo.und.~d from , ·nefs, . · ', 67 ·: .Jacob, E.-rcod. 32. I o;, ,in ' : ~e?\". ·2.. 3 Set yow, .Jclvfi · ~_ 1Jen:;pa:~l!f!!Zars. .. ~ .'1. BP ::: i in Godsi fight, ~? _ ··".68,. -~ ~~ ".0.Cli;l\P.. . VIII. ~- '-. ; 4lffujfer ftP yo1:.r thoughts Sect·'t : - ~ r.Jfe of Exhorta– . & 1t2ayes, ·;_.. , · / 70. tiontlJ f;lq[e.t,·prlly_er pref Sett~- 3. · 2 E!fentials requifod bi ten Ex.p_oflulatory . red in {e~re.t Prayer, ·. 73 Arguments" · IOI . '. !lJ.!..g(/ge thehea:t. inft,ib. ~Sett. 2. Objeilions anfwer· . 2 Beg the· .· Spzr:zti afli· / ed, tU, . . I 07 ·. ·pance, · . I . 'J5 ~ I perf~rm F~mily_-~u- {Seti. 4· 3 Pray accordtng ty) .AnJw. , tb p - . .
·, ~he Contents. • I 2 I Am • 1'6or Labour.. 10 'Ti1 ttJfJ much ltatJ, ing man, .Anf~· pjl 108 , labour, .Anfw. p. I 1) 31 am a Servant, tfnd Sea. 4· Ca{e1 ofconjcienct canno,, .Anfw. 109 anfrveret/-, . 1 17 .... ·I want a convenient I What ' dijfertnce ~eplace, An(w. 1 Io' twixt Saint and Hypo· S I ftnow [om1Chrijlians crite ? · ibid, ~tgain{f it, Anfw. ibid. ~ Whether nuty a man Secl. ~. 6 I find n•t my ing~ege by11sw ? 1 18 heart prep~tred,-Anf I I 1 3. HfJW may we k!zt~r~ 7 I meet with tempt~tti- · we hAve ctJmmunitJ11 'tJns, .Anfw. I I 2 With Gfld ! . I I 9 ~I g•t n• good by it:, 4 What muft I do if I .Anjw. t 1 3 find no good? 120 9 1 want Gifts f6r it, The whole, 'oncllultd with · ·4n[fll. .I 1.4 Exhortatit~n. J2l_ '. ' I I ' / ):. : \ ..... \ .. .. · · .· > . ERR AT .A. PAge ~8. line n· r. 3· God {m : P· 6r. I, 26. for Sttl~..$· ~· Sefl• 4· p. IX7.l· t9,_ !Or ~i· S· r. s~a~ 4~ ,. t- .• ..: . : , :. ~, t ·~ • , I . ' ·.· : .... - _. I ' ' . •. I ' t MAT.
· ~{ATTH. VI. vi.. 1Jut thou, 'Dlhen thou, pra.J 1 eft, enter into thy Cltif'et: and when thou haft {hut ,thy door, pray to thy f,ather which i~ in fecret.; and thy Father which Jeeth in fecret, jhalt re~ wafv1. thee openly. . I . ... • - I CHAP. I. SECT. I.· \The Context .cleared. . \ . ., . ~· • l.'" ~· ·-~~N this excellent Sermon (). four precious Saviour ill the Mount, we have both t.he Gofpel clearly Prp- · pounded, and the Law fobdly expounded ·: The corrupt and carnal Pharifees had degraded God's ho– ly Law from its fpirirual extent and regiment by their lovt ~nd literal glolfes, but oar Saviour rell:ores it to its di~nity and authority over bearas and confcieuces. , · · · . · · In this,Chapter, the bell: Preacher that ever o~ned his mouth, dodi admirably explain theAdjunlls,-Offi... ces, and Exercifes of true Piety: which areprincipally three, Alms, Pr$yer andFafl:ing ;}over. _.19. · . particularly, concerning the Duty of Prll'f'r~ there (
<ttotet~~~aret~ were' two material deftruClive Faults which the Sc~ibei and Pharifees were. guiltyof; in that tweet and Jo.. lemn Ordinance: 'ihofewere., I. HypfJcrifie, 2. B.tetto– ' logie,or vain-babling. Jefus ChriH: rebuk~s and reclifi~s .both. . ·· , - ... ~ ..·. They .were wont to perforrn their private devor i– ons .in· publick places, meerly for vain~ glory, .to be feen of ll!en~ as, in the Synagogues., ?r ~n the Streets:' vero' 5o~, 1\low for the Oifciples prattice in this cafe, he commands' them' to; withdraw themfelves out of the view of rrien~. intofom~ folitary place, and there per.. forn1' that Duty~ . where they are leafi: expofed to· the , danger of ofte~tation : ver. ·6. : 2. Another fault that our Redeemer rebukes in the Dutyof Prayer· i.s~ ,vain Repetitions. And·though he,. only mention it here asJh~ Heatheris fault, ver~ 7· yet certainly the Stribes and Pharifee~ might aHo be guilty ofit,for theyare cenfure~'for their long Prayers, M vu: ~3. 14. Yet upon differ~rit..acco~nts. Here the Heathens rife vain repetitions that th~y rliay move God : There the Scrzbes and Pharifees ma~e lo~g .Pr'ayers that they , may deceive men, and 'devour' Wido~s houfes.. Thii , Text faith., They think theyJhallbe he1rd for their much [peaking ; juft as Baal's Priefl:s, i . ~(ing: .J(8; 26 .. . Tney .~~llecfon the'Rameof ~aal from rriorn~ng even till noon, . faying, 0 B~tal hear us ; they leap(upon ,~he f\ltar,and cryed aloud', and cut themfelve·s, wit~ , knJve~, and lan-:, cers, till the blood gufhedout upon the~. ,-. , No doubt "'this was done to move their cruelgod .(or rath~r ft,upid _block) to foine pityand compaffion: J utt: as th~fraptick ' Papifts doat this d.ay in their felf.tormenting .peii~n,c~s : But our ,Gdd wh~- iS the fearcher of hearrs, ' ,del_ights more'in: ardent affections, than in either extenfion of the voic,e, or inultiplication·of,o/6.rds:· or excn!Cia~ing_ affiitlions of the outwa·rd man: Therefore our S~yionr. ~s, that when we pr~y, we come not to in'fGQ~~ ' (
~ <n:{Jtiiliau ~ttt1?; · . ~- God ofany thing he is ignorant of, ver. 8. Tour Father kpoweth what thingsyou have need of before ye as~him : But we pray that ou,: own hearts may be affected, and that.we may have the condition ·of acceptance: And for ~he retl:ifying of this abufe ofvain babling ·in Pray– er,Chrift propounds and prefents togs an exact draught and compendious platform of Prayer, in that which is commonlycaUed,TheLor~s Prayer: not asthoug~ men fhould fay only thofe words and no n1ore; for then rhe Apoftles had failed in praying in other terms, but that this.might be a directory for Prayer. ' So that every thing we ask~ ·fhould Vt ~liter ,orareqruzm be reducible to fome of thofe heads d~cu~t? non Ignoran- . d . h. £ a I t .• t~a fola efl, fed & ment~one tn t ts. per ~ p at O!m. culpa: Cyp.deserm. So that, as cyprzan fatth, To pray ad Orat. ' Domin~' otherwayes than he bath taught ( eipag. 408~ ther as to the m~nner, or fil'bfl:ance of the matter) 'tis not only ignorance but an offence: and indeed we cannot expect tobe heard except we~sk, well according to Chr![ls mind as in his name. But · is northe fubjett I have chofen to infift upon. 'That falls under our prefent cognizancefrom this Text, The modificationof Prayer, with refpecl to the cir- ....'ll . ....,t~.t:l......~ of pt:ivacy, foli'tarinefs, or retirement. ,_ The Text holds forth the wa-rrant for, and manner of ingon the great work of Clof-et-Prayer; acopious ' aprecious Duty. · ,, -. . . · i ·. The Place for it, a Clo [et. . - · 2 ·' The Clo~~nefs of the pl~ce, l)oor fo4t•·. . 3. The ObJett of tie Worlhip_, Thy Faare' ther. ' . · . · . . ~ • , L . • 4· · The Arg~ments to inforce thy Duty ;: : .. ' . ,. · :·~: Gods Omnifcience, he fees• .~~· His Munificen&e, will ~~art!._
, ~oret~~aftrj: SECT. 11. The wor~s opened. F. Or a more diRinft openingofthe words a~corclin! . to the·parts before-mentioned, confider: , 1. What is meant by a Clofet, here. Some un-der ftand and interpret it, not literally but myf.l:ically, . ma– king an Allegory of it, as though it .did·import [intqrio.: rem ~ordis recejfum] die.inner receffes or motions of the heart, but though that be a truth and duty, That we· mull: pray in th:e clof~t of thehear~; yet, I humbly co~ceive, that is not the prope,r meaningof this place : fo'r I we need not interpr~t this plain word in fucha bqrrow~ ed fenfe; fince multit'udes of $cripture~ are foex'p,rets, for wodhippingGod. with theheart. ~efides,that is not luitable to the icope of the pl~ce, whfch oppoieth f~lt- : 1 .· . . • . . . , retirement to the Pharifaical 'mod~ ~; :~,:b mCnt. Sac. ofdevotion : The word t~e,n is tobe • v • . literally taken, a!'~ xfu?r1i in .gene~ ral. imports ~ny fccret place where a thing is laid up :' . part it ularly, it fignifies a Safe place, Mac. 24· 2. 6. or Cupboard to lay viel:uals in · o'r Luk. 12· 3· 1 k d Ch'a h . . r. ' • a oc e eu. , w eretna treature ts .· ufually referved : or it's taken (as indeed- her~ and oft ,., ,.....elfe where) for aclofe\or fecr~~ chamber, a wtthdraw.. . . ing-room~ retiring-place, .where a, J2Ettnvu tecum . 0 ' - aperfon is not feen nor heard,nor yet cultumnot4t. Par• . • d·Jl, b d/. h. d . . · L · . · ·IS tnur e tn ts eyetton,s ~Y any noifeor commotion : a fecret conclave' or lockedPar· Ior, where no company'is t9 come .. ' 2. Shut th'.tlo6r : this WOfd imports yet a.fu degreeoffecrecy:q!d. that thou tnaifi: mak~ thy_ f~Jfto lefs ot>ferved, iliut up thy felf in a room ; let none ,......-. 01 a.t thee to difturb thee: in thy converfings ~ith.'·9od, · t~e door and make i~ faft ~ Jea ~et non~ o1~r-·... LL..Q...
g ~ij~tfttat1 :Wttt~. - r thee in thy retired devotions. For, obferve it, in true CJofet-Prayer there fhould be an including of the voice as well as the body : fome pray fo loud in t_heir cham– bers that they may be heard into the fireets ; ~his is not · properly CLofet-,Pr~yer, fince it doth nor attain the enal of this retirement, which is an approving the hearr on– .Iy ~o God, and avoiding all £hews and occafions ofhy._ poc.ritie and vain-glory ; for it is all one (as to this end) whether the body be ieen or rh~ voice be heard: Only remember, this is fpoken of iecret Prayer; for it cloth nor exclude publick Prayer in acongregation, where the body is feen, and voice is heard : Yet it cloth by a kind of Synecdoche require felrdenial, {i'nglenefs, and fincer,ity in all kind of Prayer, pub.. ' . _ .. lick, private, fecret, for ,one part or 7.!na fPecte fim(~c£ta~ fign of uprightnefs in 'the duty is t&s pro toto gmer: putfo~ the whole,fhutting the door, · pofita. . · for integrity ofheart in the whole management of this great Affair. · , . 3 • . Here's·the objeCl of Prayer: Pray to thy Father: Thy bulinefs is not .with men, but with God; feek therefore to pleafe and in joy him: Nor yet art thou tG fete~ a compafs _and pray to Saints , ~nd Angels., but go firatght to God m the nameof Chnfl:, and be fur~ thou look upon hin1 as under the fweet I · f h ~od nomen, nemt~ re attono a tender Fat er; yea., 1hy noforum in oratioJJe · Fat·her. Oh, a fweet word, a bleffed auderet attingtre;ni– word, and fuch . a word as we purft fi ip(e nobis fie per– not have taken intoour mouths; had mifiJ[etorare:Cy_pri.,;, it !JOt been for Chrifl:'SJ glorious una~. "Bn:'JZ· de Orat. dertaking to purchafe fot us the adoDom. P· 4I4· . ption) and this gracious commiffios,and i~ the platform of Prayer.theprefcription ;and for God the Father's ~o~ luntary coadefcencion. Come then, and-fear not, poor Difciple of Chrift, ~ome wi~h filial afl"et\ion~; ~ ~d' th~ Spirit. of Adoption,- an&thou .artfute tO fpeed ~.for thas .. , . · · B · j)te
, Clllofet~~~a1:er; paternal relation imports affe~iol'l, proviGon, con~;e.. fcention, and compaffion. It thou wilt qe a Child to· nim; he will be a Father to thee:. 2 Cor. 6. 18. 4-· Here·~ t~e 4rgumenrs and Incouragements to ~his duty of iecret Prayer. . I • Thy F~-1th~r {ee.s in ficret. t\ll's one to himwhether you be in a puhlick Ch_urch, or private Clofet ; God · ( whole eyes are ten rhoufan9 rimes brightet th'\n the r· I San)fees youjrrthe orie p"Iace, as well as in the o-ther, ana though rnen fee younot, yet content your iel'\7es with . this., ThatrGod and your Cbnfdences are competent wit· neffes of your uprightnefs ;, ' Wit~ whom you have to do, and frotn \Vhom ·you have your reward. . 2.· He will re1Vtlr,d thee ope_nly•. '"!here's two things in thts e~preffion. I. Theylhall be rewarc/ed. 2. T fhatl be openly rewarded. So that men !hall f~y, Vcr there is a reward for the rig-hte,ous, verily he is a th4t judgeth in tbe earth :·P{ttl. 58. 1 :t. ThevScribe.r and .Phtrrli(ces do all their works to be {een of men-, a~nd· · -men they ha~ethat {or.ry re\vard: you do yours in the fight 9f God, and from· him you fhal~ weceive your abundant .and eternal recompence. Though men fee yo not,fear not, you fl1aH be_ feetJ and~ccepted by him 'th fearcheth hearts, and knoweth the miri4 of his Spirit But of thefe, ·more anon. The ium and d'efign of rhe Text 'is this: Thou, m · Difciple, fee£1: the plaufiblepraCtices of the hypocriri Pharifo~.[, to gai n credit and ttpplaufe ; they perfor · their private ·duties ·in ·publick places, as Markets · . Synago.gues,rhatthey may pafs amongmen for emi Saints ; ·and they are generally fo efieemed ; that,s t ·rew-ard. ilut thou that hail given up thy name to me,i .~he: prGfeffion ofmy Name, take my counfel for latiilg this £weet ,Daty.of fecret -Prayer: Let ~none r ':what thou goeft about, fteal time from all 0 ·:withdraw tfiy ~c~finto fo.me Clofet or private pi
g <D:t~ifttau ~utr. 7. and when thou .ha[l: ·made all fat!, do thou fet thy felf · -in the prefence ·of God, app~ove thy heart to him, lay open tny bo(ori1 before him,tell hirn all thygrievances; and though no creature is privy to thy fecrer groan;;, . yet be fiue tbat all ~hy defires are before God, and thy. groan,ing is l19t hid from. hinl., and he takes noti-ce o( thy tears; and refer~es thenn in a.bottle by him, ro bfi rewarded in a vifible manner in a feafonab!e time, thy labour isnot in vain, thy work is \Vith the Lord., and thy r~ward with. thy God. . . S E C T. IlL · , . DoElrines raifed, and cleared. ,' / 1 THere aret?a~y o ·on:rines lye.c.otiched in the \Vords.; . I £hall but htnt thern, and pttch upon one. . I. Prayer is a choice part .of Rel~gion ; its a piece of . natural worfhip ; though the right _9rderiog of it is by irtfl:itntion, yet 'tis a n1_ain parr o'f Religion. There~ fore often pt1t in S~ripture fot the whole fervice of God: He that.callJ on then.. ttme ofthe Lordjhall befa ·ved, Rom.; I o. r 3. Apra:yerlefs foul \s gnicelefs. , . · .. ; 2. Prayer is a duty much abu{ed : There sfcarce any thing fo m·uch perv,erted an·d cotrupted as this cho'ice duty,by fonnality,hypocrifie,fuperilition.,bafeand by": ends, as is cl.ear by (befe Phttrifees ma_oy wayes, and th~ir younger br~tl=lren t~* .. Papiflsat thjs-<lay., Maffis, D~rges, /nvocat~on nfSaints, &er . . . s. 1~here are feveral forts of lrayer: Both as to .the kinds, modes, and circumfiances. The Apoftle difiin– guifheth of ~applications; P:rayer,s., Inrerceffio!Js, and giving ofThanks: r Ti1n. 2:~ l·· Jhere's a:1fo P~btick~ Prayer, Family-Prayer, anc{ C!ofer.. J>'tayer. Now a ' Chrifiian· mull: _pray with all Praye~ and Supplicatio'n : £ph. 'i :t 8.: 'Fht-J.aft is·· here infifted· ou. ' . ··. · 'B 2 ·
8 <ltlofet~~~a rer, ~·AChriflian muff do nothing for praife or applau[e., efpecially in matters_ofReligion: It is aba!eprofiituting the highefi thing~ of God, to our beaflly lufl:s. It ls to feed an humour., and damn rhe foul 'with that which· fhot.dd fave it. Let noChdlt.ians,(as. the Ph:Irtfoes here,) n1ake Prayer rruckle to their credit, Phi!. 2. ,3. Let nothinj!, be clon€ th;-ough ftrife or vain.r;lory. 5. There are /et and flaud t tmes~(Prayer: This is f1inred in this word, \Jif/he.n, when thou prayefl: A time ~ tDere n1uft be for ir, though the ·point of time is nor de· t~rmined,yet a titne n1t1H be iet apart for the duty ,eve– ry day ; a Chr iftian mufl: chufe our the fitteft titne for the duty' by the dueu{eof his liber.ty and difcretion. 6. Circum{l:ances are ofgreat ufe in aUour aCtions: The i1reets are proper places to walk,ralk,buy and iell in, but not fo fit for Pra-yer ; the Church is ~fit place for publick devotion, not fo for a foletnn performance of the duty ofiecret Prayer. Although tnental,eiacula~. tions are fit enough in both, yet it''s not convenien~ to kneel down or ufe outward gefiures offecret Prayer , there. 7. Ct'ofot- Pray_er muft be with all {ecrecyandfoiitarine(s: ,. In a Clo!et,door !hut: As we n1uft nol blow a Trumpet when we give Alms., fo we muft not hold our a flag \Vhen we go to wait on God in the Duty ·of Prayer: ,.. . It was carnal counfel the brethren ofChrift gave ~im.; . · Joh. 7· 4· Shew thy[elf to the World. The reafon ts gt~ ven, v. 5. Fr.rr neither didhis brethrenbelieve in him : A fad !ign of car'naliry! · 8. God alone is the proper object of OWl' Prayers: Pray ro,thy Father. As he is the object of our Faith, fo of ; Prayer: For he alone can help, therefore he is to be r· iought,. n~n~ elte fees our frate, 'or C~D: fatisfie fouls : · I fa. 63. 16. Doubtle{s thou art our Father, thqughAbra· hambe ignor;ant of us.~ · . ·. 9~ In all our addrelfe5 t<? God we muft own God ~s . ov 1t
a ~~J~iftta:nJ)utr. our Father; as having adopted us in Chr,ifi : becaufe his, therefore ours: 1 a/ cend (faith Chri l1) to my Fat her andyour Father, joh.2o.17· Indeed by nature, we were children of wrath, but by grace children of his Love; io that they may fay., as lfa. 64.. 8. · But noro, 0 Lr.-r4, thoH art our Father . Oh pl ead and improve this relation. . I o. God is omniprefent : "Thy Fa- . , .h h' h . . r. · h H H :rJ.c o11mpref'ens efl t er w tc ts tn 1ecret : t e eaven · . . · 1 " ·J. . , - . . quta n:t!lmn efl Vbt, of Heavens canno~ contatn h1m., . u>t de ep exclujus, ·neq; 1 J( ing. 8. 2 7. He hlleth all places . aiicttbi eft inclufuJ • .-with his immenfe and h1finite efAmet 1'11ed. Theol. fence : I-Ieaven is his throne; the lt b. 1 · , Cap. ' 4· ~17· Earth is his footf\:ool; he is ~ excluded fromno plaee')in– duded in none :for he is without a!l Iimiracion, diinen– fion, ·or renninarion. · I f. God is omni[cient. Thy Father which feeth in fe– crer. The darkeft nighr,or !ecrereft clofer,or moft hid. den thought of a reierved heart, can neither hid~, or be hid from Go~·s all-feeiog eye : lieb. 4· 1 3. God be– holds all thiA~s in. H~aven and o.n Eareh. wirh one fim– pie fingle acr ofht,s Underfi:andwg ;. wnhour cornpofi– tion, difcourfe, or repr'e!enration ofSpecies: 12. E·very beiieving Pra_ycr h.:tth a {ur e re'ward: He wiU reward theeopenly : Not a good word to God,ot wo,rk for God., !hall be lofi: Tr; him tl1at foweth righ~ teoufoe(s, flu~tl be a {ltre re7!'ard., Prov. '! 1. 18. And we .know every right Prayer ts a real feed, Pfa/. 126. 6. 1 And it will rife in a fqll and -plentiful crop another day. . ·I 3. The retvard offecret Pr"-zy r: rfhall be open and manifeft : They, have already a reward and gifc in fecret; 1 Communion with God is an tabundant recompence. In l{fepin_gJhy Commandments there !s great reward: Pfal. J,9· 1 I. But this is a [ pr£mium ante prcemium J ·reward , before the reward: the Ofher fuall be in \Heaven before Angels ana Men. . B 3
10 ~loftt~l0~at:et, 14· A rChriftians reward. is fro.ra God: ThyFather will ~ reward thee: Not m·en. Scribes and Phari(ees have their reward from men, from,men they expect it: Saintsex– {)ed: their reward fro1n God., ·and God gives it them: l\1en -rewardth~mevil for their good wiH, and they ex– peCt no better: If better co1ne front men., they own ic as a gratuicy fent from their Father: It's a principle of Religion to know and believe that God i.r, and that be is a re·rvarder oftkem that diligently feelz hin:, Hep,. I I. 6. · And as G.qd gives a reward, io he is the reward of his · Saints, Gen. I ) . r. J'ea an cx~eedinggreat reward. lt can admit of ,noH_yperbole,,it cannpt have a fufficien~ Em– phafis: to enjoy God is a reward iufficient, in and for the fervice ofGod. ThefeDoetr~neswould a·ffordlarge difcourfes, but none of theie are the iltbject I fhall in~ fift upon. , , · I £hall raife one from the mli+l fcope of the Texr, which is this. . ' . ' . ' ~ Doer. That Clofet-Praycr- is tt Chriftian Duty. Secret Prayer is an Evan·gelical exerci!e. Every child of God may and muft perform the du.. ty of Secret Pray~r. , As a Chriitian muft pray all inanner of Prayer, fo in all pl~ces, l Tim. 2. 8.Jwillthat men pray every where-: f..nd ifevery where., then in their Cloiets ; This di vine Incenf~ fho,ufd perfumeevery room,and lhould afcend ~o Heaven frpm Chan1bers as well as Churches: Any pla~e ~ow is fitJor a Divine Oratory; a F(al. 10 9· 4· Saint fhould give h,itnfelf to Prayer, and Pfal. 30. tit!t. d d" h. h r. J1.. d e tcate .ts ou1e to God ; he u1onl (as it were) confecrate every room_ inhis houfe to be a place of priyatedevotion~ Abraham reared an Altar to God wherever he caine; fo ml.!fr a Chrifii~nmakee ry place where he can get clo!e tQ the duty, a·place frayer. · ~ · ~1r.\ Mede bath un~ertake~ to prov~ from 1 '
-g :<itfJ~tatan ~utr~ 1 x 2+· 26. Th~t tbeJews of old., and Chriftians inGofpei· timts had\heir [ Frofeuch£, or] praying pitlces,, which he ,thus de1cribes{ as .to the J ev.ts of · . . old:) P;"'ofl'i~ch4,'f3"ith he., :vas a plot'"· ~-ted~s D~atnb.t, P. of ground, encompaffed wnh a wall, 79 or iome ol her likemound or inclofur~., and open above tnuch like to our Courts, the ufe properly for Prayer., as the name Profeucha i~port.s: And theie were w·ith- . out the Cities, as Synagogues were \Vithin: ,Of this {as he thinks) were thoie in Aa-.2 1.31 ~ aQd Luk.6.12. Where Jefus Chrift is {aid tp contique .all night [ ~~~ 7~ ' 'i'!'foowx~ 7-g 9{;~, in · Profeucha .Dei J in the place of Prayer, or Profeuchll of God. Nor y~t dol believe or find, . but that .trhe Saints had other praying places, ~sin houtes and eHewhere as occafion \Vas offered, even in dwelling houfes, .Ail. 12. 12. But as to tbis bury of fecret Prayer., ~it muft not be fo n;u:rowly confined, ,but Vle 1nay go to any Cloiet or priv~te Roorn \Vhere our fouls may tneet with God : AQd ( as one{aith) ·we fhatl ,not fail to find that the Grots and· ' ' Tbe life of D1'. Ham ~ .caves J ye as op~n to the cce lefl:ial inmond in. a letter, p fluences, as the fairefl: andn:oH: beau· ;2o1 . riful Temples. · · J • '\I . S E C T. IV. . · Jaftances offevervtt'in Script.ltr-e; that ufed ChJfet~Praycr-• ·, TH; DoClrine need~ ~o Explkation~ but Confirm tton : which-I fball do front Scrtpture.Infiance · ·and Reafons. , We have feveralExamples of Patriarchs, Prop~ets ApolHes, that ufed this duty .of folitary 'or iecr .Prayer. · · " - , ~ · I. Abraham, the Friend of God, and Father of. ., , converfed much with 'his God alone ; , partt - ·- B. 4 , la
12 <Uotet~~~arer~, larly in· this duty of Prayer, Gen. ·I8. 22, When tbe men, (i.e. the created Angels that feemed men ) were gonetowardsSodom, .Abra~amftoodyet before the Lord; or Jehov~th, i.e. Jefus Chrtfi, , the Angel of the Cove 4 nan't. Sranaing is a praying pollure, therefore pur for prayer; h~nce Abrahamdrew pear and pleaded with God for Sodom: That was his errand to God at that time. No doub~ he had uied this cour,!e frequent- ,. ly in other cafes : Hence arofe that intimacy be- . twixt God and Abraham : ' So that . f]en. I S• 1 2 • Chat! God talked with him came to 1 ~ 7· 3· hitn ; ~nd he again dif~ourfed fa{. miliarly , wit-h God. · · 2 .. Ifaac., the fon of the Promife~ a very contempla– . i1JiV tive man, therefore 'cis faid, Ge~. Lncut/4$ eft ort, vel 24. 63. Th~Jt Ifaac went out, !O meds– forde co.gita;vit; pro- ' tate it~-, the field at even-tide. T~e .Pr~e fignificat,_ [ub.- · word fignifles as well to Pr,ay as Me~ · mtf{a.voce lo9m, utodirare, ·tis likely he did both in fome nantu. r!· W l·k . h h I f~d . 10 1 tary a , w ere. e conver e withhis God. The Chr:rldee rranOates it by praying·;~~t the Gree/zby ex.erciftng himielf, i.e. both in meditatiqn . and pray-er :· And truly there is anear affinity betwixt · ~hefe two fw'eet duties, and 'tis· ufual for a devout foul to fall .out of rne one into the other) in its retirem.ents. Soliloquie in the heart helps to acol- · t f_.()ctu precibus ubiq; lcquiewith Gnd :· But here obferve . commadus; maxime· in y , flHitudhu, ubi fe'tf'is l{aac's or~tory,which he had in the ' de p~is medita.tionifield, whic,h he uied for mere priva– ! bus min~s qvocantur. cy;, Th~re (faith Pareus) he contir · Pareus tn loc. nually poured out Prayers to_G9d. .; ·· and at this time moreearAeftly 1 for the happy fuccefs of '. his feryant; · a fing~lar exa~J?le ?f p!ety :. A pla,c~ it !f \\'as eve,ry way fitfor Prayer,eipectallytnfohtude -~}f,re bthe fenfes are lefs drawn off from pioas meditations: ,: $qme thin~ h~ wa~ returning fr9.~ hi~ qevo~io~~, · .I . . - .. ~
g €1J~iiltatl ~tttr~ 13 theg 'tis worthnoting., What a fpeedy reward 6r his piety, and effect of his pro.yers was grant~ : Would all young men take the like courfe for aW tfe, they might meet feafonably with a Re.beclz.ah inmercy. 3. Jacob is a famous infiance of this choiceexercife, few like him; he was put ro flee, but they could not drive him from his God: Theyhad their meetingpla– ces ~nd intercourfe /where none faw: parciculary that rernarkable time:, Gen. 32 • .24. Jacob WM left alone : .And there wreftled aman t'Vith him until the ~reaki.ng of the day. 'TislikelyJacobhad fent his houthold awayan .purpofe.that he might wreft:le with God alone: I fhalJ I not difpute whether J acob\lad any extraordinary natu– ral ftrength of bady, I a~ fure .he had abundance of fpiritual ftrength of grace, nor !hall I take notice of the Hebrews fubtildifputes cqncerning this man. Hofea tells us, it was an Angel, yet withal he tell us, That by his jlrength he hadpower with God, Ho[. 12. 3,4· Therefore ~ chis· was God hitnfelf, the creating, · G 6 ~ not 4 .. crea~ed Angel, even Jefus Chrift, en• . 4 8 · 1 .. • the Angel'that Redeemed him from all evil,whomMa;– /achi ~ails., ·The Angel of the Co~enant, , Mal. 3. 1. It · was God hirnielf,Elohim,whom Jacob overcame in thi-s fl:up~ndious [ m,onom'!lchi~, or] conflict. But how did he thus prevail ? The Text faith, with,prayers and tears, he wept and made {upplication : Now he had got,ten God to a-fide ( as it \Vere) an~none came to difl:~afr him, or to part this ftrong and bldfed duel ; he is re– folved to fiick to his hold, _and not let God go, till he bleffed him : And good <jacob came offa Noble Con– queror r; and from that purchafed the famous name of I{rttel: Oh unequal matches! Ohunparallel'd conquell! The feemingly-adverfe combatant was Jacobsonly affi– fianr, and the conquered was the invincible Jehovah., and no other feconds or fpeCt~tors, !?ut the Infinite God aQd Worm Jacob, · · . . 'Mo
4· Mo[es \Vas a ·choice man ofGod, wh~m the Sc;ri– pture charatteri'zeth as anon·(uch , Deut. 3+· 1 o. There arofe YfOt a Prophet fince in lfrael lik[ untoMotes,whom the Lord knew face to face: and this in~irnate acquaintance was obtained., 1naintaiped, and exerciJed by thi s i~cr converfingwith God: How ofren do we fi nd th e Lord and his fetvant Mofes together? and none \Vith them, Exod. 1 . • yea Mofes only .mufr cotne near, ,and the tl -4 , · refl: muft worflup.afar off: ~nd \Vna,t bufi · .• nefs·have thefe familiar Friends one wi _another? 'Why·, fometi~es the Lord fpeaks to Mofes, 1om.e.rimes'Mofes fpeaks to God in fecret prayer: both'together in Exod..32. 9, 1 o, I 1. Afirange Scri ture, God and Mofes had been converfing with each o ther in the mount forty dayes : God tells Mo fes, th peo~le had n1ade them amolten calf,and he w~s angry a;nd wou·ldconfinne thern,and bids Mof~s lft t himalo as though Mo(es had bound thehands of qinnipote~cy Nay then, nhinks Jt1o{es, if n1y poor peopl~ . be ip this hazard fince Iam \Vi th God,l' leply the throne qf gra and improve my intere·ft for them :·and t~en he· fa! c1ofeto the work,andbefoughttheLordhisGod,1nd · 'Pfil 6 . fa id-At this time he alone .ft:ood in t he ga ;,a· 10 • and prevailed by his inrerceJlion t6 turn : I . way ~Gods \Vrarh from Ifrael: Here was wor-k, a.nd thi~ was the fruit of fect~et prayer. · 5. David the fil:an after Gods own heart, wasa _m muchskilled in (ecrerorclofet meditations~nd iprayers Hencefomeofhis Pfalmsof·Prayerand P-raifewerefi ~ompofed in Caves, Wilder~effes., and folitary pl . J:Jal. 14·2. Title.,u Mafc?i~.ofDav_id; a P~ay~r:_ whetJ was}n the Cave. Anq thts 1s for tnftruchon to us, M"fchil fignifies: Yea, he purpofely compiles the I P{al. as apatternto all that m_ay be in his cafe, t~at folitary; As a pelican in the lVildernefs, an tJWl tn def~ert,ot: a[parrow 4lo11e uponthe ho11fo top? 11·~6,7.
g <ltlJ~tft:ian ~tttl?. 1 5 they are to pray as he did., and to pour out their com– plaint before the ~ord : Yea, upon a declaration .of Gods covenant, defigns of mercy to David and his houfe·;,, the gq_od man .went either into for11e private room in his own houfe, or into the Tent before the Ark, and there fer hitnfelf, firfr to meditate, then to , pray? for 11e did both, a~ that Scripture clearly inti– mates, 2 Sam. 7· I 7, 27. And oh what memorable fruits of fecret Prayer had Dff.vid frequently! Surely he felt the fweetnefs of ir, both in his foul and body, in his ipiritual eftare, and political affairs: Therefo,r;ehe corn– mends it to all,_.Pfal. ~·Commune wit_hyour own he~rtup– onyour bed(or tn your bed-chamber)and there aliooffer the facrifices of righteou(nefs, and put your truft in the Lor~p 1/Cr. 4· · 5· . , . .S E c T. I v. ' Fi1.1e more Inftances prod~ced."' 6'. AN o~her ex~mple frOn:t Scripture of t~e perform- / anee ofthts duty of iecret prayer, ts, the fa– mous man of GodElijah, \Vho wrought many miracles, and was mighty in prayer, fo_r fo the ApoftleJames te– flifies of him, Ch'ap~ 5. 17, I£'. ~hat be could ihut and . open HeaYen ; he had (as it wer_e) got the K~y ofthe Clouds, to open the \vindows ofHeaven, rhat ir.might rainor not rain, according/to his w9rd. But howcame he by this power? Why., certainly he had gre~t ac– quaintance with his God in fecrec. Take one inftanc~ what his prall:ice was, .1 J(ing. 17. 19. to ver. 24,• It is the memorable Hifiory of raifing the Widow womans \dead Son. It wa~· a great undertaking: non~ but Goa "'~ could raife.the dead, God is robe implored by earneft' Prayer, no place fo fit for that great duty as a clofet, <;>r ~ -fG~neclof~ Chamber,tQ~refore h~ being to ~e~l withHis· ! - . ' I
16 God in good ·hard earneft about this important , bufi. nefs,iairh the ~ext_,Eie ~arr.~ed him ttp into a loft;where he abode., and latd hr.m upon ht.r own bed, .and the'! he cry. ed to the Lord, ver. 19, 20. It was 'not the.firft time E/i. jah had there wrefi:led with God ; if it wa~ hisiodging .room, ic was his pr.aying ·room: and here God heard him, and wr?ught the mi~acle: what hedid for Elzjah, he can and·wtll do for us., tf he fee fit: , for Elijah was~ no more than a tnan, and iubjetl: to like paffions·as we are. , 7:Je,-emitth}s ar~markable Infrance:he was a Prophet of the Lord, {ancl:tfiedfrom his Mothers womb, yet he mer with fo many di!Couragements,that he bath a mind to leave his people; -and hewHheth Jer. 9· I, 2 • for a lodging place in the Wilder. netS., i.e. fome folirary retiremenr, that there hemight -take his fiil o"f weepmg; ho\vever he. refolves at pre– fent.,thar wherever he is,hewill get retired, and, faith he, My foul {htz!l weep ,'in fecret ·places for your pride., 7er. t 3. 1 7· Yet tnore punctnall y, to the.bufinefs of fecret Prayer, fee Jer. 1 5. I 7. Saith be, 1 f.:zte alone becaufeof thy h-and. But what did he alone? Did he only pore -and muie upon the Churches Gn~ - and fufferings? No, he had iomething to fay to his God,ver..18. ~Vhy io·-my pain · perpettull? And God then hath fomeching to fay to him by way of graciou,s'anfwer,ver. I g. If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and tho~o& · jhalt ftand before me: This is the re1ult of his fecret Prayer,a reftaura,ion ' of hirn to, and his conformation in, his office and fun· ttion ; .and to the p·u·blick exercife th~reof: This is worth praying for. · . . 8. Daniel is a famous pattern of the refolute and couragious performance,of this duty, againft all o fition: Although he might ha~e pleaded, (ifever any There's a Lion in the way, I fhall be £lain in th~ or Den, for mywork.in my Chamber :. yet he . 110t
~ <lt!J~iilian ~utr. r 7 nothing, he ventured upor1 a f~vere Law, his Piinres difp!eaiure, the lofs of his -Prefennent, th,t rage ofhis Cotnp~titors, -and the Lions hungry fto1nachs, rath~r than he wifl omit or intermi t his accuftomed courie of Chamber-\vorfhip; he "Yill endure the Lyons cruelty, . rather than neglect a knowQ duty : Nay, he is fo far fron1 gradfyirig his proud adverfaries, that he will not in the leaft abate his wonted frequency, or vi.fibility in: the duty; BHt his windows being open towardJerulalem, he kneeled upon his ~nces three times a d~-~,y and prayed, Dan. 6. 1 o. But did Daniel hold out a' Flag, o.r blow a ·Trumpet, by fetting open his windows to declare to n1en what he was·a going to do ? \Vas not this contra- .ry tq the.rriie in the T'ext? Are we here commanded to fhut our door, an:l may Dt~niel opet;J his window? Is, not that all one? Surely that good man ·did ,nor open his windoi.vs out .of hypocrifie and vain-glory; but to fhew his refoiQtion') courage ?-nd conftancy., out-daring thefe impious impudent commands .of men : he did not fear to be feen now in to plain acafe. What a fpirit are they of, that wi1I rather give themieJves to the roaring Lion, and incur the wra~h of the King of Heaven, which is more.terrible than a thoofand hungry Lions, · than. folemnl yperform this ufeful dutyoffecret Prayer: Let cardefs fouls confider this. · . 9· Peter afa rnousApofi:!e, fhall be -mother inftaoce 'in the cafe, Ail.9.40· WhenTabithaoi ·Do.rcaslaydeadin upper Chamber, and the Widow..vsftood weepingby– r, _ an~hewastoraifeher, Hepv~~ them allforth, and led down and prayed, and turning h£~ to the .body, Aid, Tabithaarife, and fh'e Jpened ber eyes__:_See here, ther miracle like Elijal/s , upon fecret Prayer: Bllt · is was _ ~pon an extr~oidio:try cafe; did Pettr ufe to ay alone? Yes, turn' bur to the next Chapter, Ail. -~ .t. o. g. Peter went up upon the honfe·top to pray, about the ", th1hfiNr: · Which was about noon, another ing ·· .. . ~ .......__ ~-· --
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