The Privy Key of Heaven, To the reader
TO THE READER.
Chriſtian Reader,
THe Epiſtle Dedicatory being (occaſionally) ſo large, I ſhall do little more than give thee the grounds and reaſons of ſending forth this little piece into the World, eſpecially in ſuch a day as this is. Now my reaſons are theſe,
Firſt, Becauſe God by his preſent diſpenſations calls more loudly for Cloſet-prayer now, than he hath done in thoſe laſt twenty years that are now paſt over our heads. See more of this in the 16. Argument for Cloſet-prayer, pag. 103, to p. 108.
Secondly, Becauſe I have ſeveral reaſons to fear that many Chriſtians do not clearly nor fully underſtand the neceſſity, excellency, and uſefulneſs of this ſubject, and that many (O that I could not ſay any) live in too great a neglect of this indiſpenſible duty, and that more than a few, for want of light, erre in the very practice of it.
Thirdly, For the refreſhing, ſupport, and encouragement of all thoſe Churches of Chriſt that walk in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghoſt, &c. eſpecially that particular Church to whom I ſtand related.
Fourthly, To preſerve and keep up the power of Religion and Godlineſs both in mens houſes, hearts, and lives. The power of Religion and Godlineſs lives, thrives or dies as Cloſet-prayer lives, thrives, or dies. Godlineſs never riſes to a higher pitch than when men keep cloſeſt to their Cloſets, &c.
Fifthly, Becauſe Cloſet-prayer is a moſt ſovereign Remedy, a moſt precious Antidote of Gods own preſcribing againſt the Plague that now rageth in the midſt of us, 1 Kings 8. 37, 38, 39, &c.
Sixthly, Becauſe every man is that really, which he is ſecretly. Never tell me, how handſomly, how neatly, how bravely, this or that man acts his part before others; but tell me (if thou canſt) how he acts his part before God in his Cloſet: for the man is that certainly, that he is ſecretly. There are many that ſweat upon the ſtage, that are key-cold in their Cloſets.
Seventhly, Though many worthies have done worthily upon all other parts of prayer, yet there are none either of a former or later date, that have fallen under my eye, that have written any Treatiſe on this Subject. I have not a little wondred that ſo many eminent Writers ſhould paſs over this great and princely duty of Cloſet-prayer, either with a few brief touches, or elſe in a very great ſilence. If ſeveral Bodies of Divinity are conſulted, you will find that all they ſay clearly and diſtinctly as to Cloſet-prayer, may be brought into a very narrow compaſs, if not into a nut-ſhell. I have alſo enquired of ſeveral old Diſciples, whether among all the thouſand Sermons that they have heard in their dayes, that ever they have heard one Sermon on Cloſet-prayer? and they have anſwered No. I have alſo enquired of them, whether ever they had read any Treatiſe on that Subject? and they have anſwered No. And truly this hath been no ſmall encouragement to me, to make an offer of my mite, and if this ſmall attempt of mine ſhall be ſo bleſt, as to provoke others that have better heads, and hearts, and hands, than any I have, to do Chriſt and his people more ſervice, in the handling of this choice point in a more copious way than what I have been able to reach unto: I ſhall therein rejoyce.
Eighthly and laſtly, That favour, that good acceptance, and fair quarter, that my other poor labours have found, not onelyonly in this Nation, but in other Countryes alſo, hath put me upon putting pen to paper once more: and I hope that the good will of him that dwelt in the buſh, will reſt upon this, as it hath (to the glory of free grace) reſted upon my former endeavers. I could add other reaſons, but let theſe ſuffice.
Good Reader, when thou art in thy Cloſet, pray hard for a poor weak, worthleſs worm, that I may be found faithful and fruitful to the death, that ſo at laſt I may receive a Crown of Life. So wiſhing thee all happineſs both in this lower and in that upper World; I reſt
Thine in our Dear Lord Jeſus, THOMAS BROOKS.