, 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
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