Closet Prayer a Christian Duty, Treatise · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII. An Ʋſe of Exhortation, urged.
SECT. I.
THe laſt Uſe is for Exhortation, to put us on to the performance of this ſweet duty of Cloſet-Prayer: My beloved friends, I beſeech you ſuffer the word of Exhortation: you ſee the work before you, you ſee a plain Scripture-warrant for it, you have heard many Inſtances of Scripture-patterns, you ſee the manner of the performance; let none now plead ignorance, or look upon it as needleſs, or make excuſes or evaſions. Is it not equal and reaſonable? Is it not worth the while to converſe with your God in a Corner? Look over the reaſons of the Doctrine, and ſee if there be not ſome weight in them:
But, beſides thoſe, I ſhall propound to you theſe expoſtulatory Motives.
1. Would you not be ſuch as make conſcience of every commanded duty? You are no real Saints, unleſs you have reſpect to all Gods Commandments, Pſal. 119.6. If you pick and chuſe in your obedience, you are hollow-hearted hypocrites: And can you deny this to be a duty? And will you ſtand dodging with God? Muſt he raze this Sentence out of the Bible, to humour your conceits and ſloth? Is not Cloſet-Prayer a Chriſtian duty? Dare you argue againſt it? Out of what Topicks will you fetch your Arguments? And do you acknowledge it to be a duty, and will not practiſe it? Your own mouths will condemn you: What needs any more Witneſſes? But if you be real Saints, I dare ſay, you do approve of it; and practiſe it ſometimes; and why are you not conſtant in your obedience? Is it not the property of a Saint to do righteouſneſs at all times? Pſal. 106.3. Oh conſider this, and do not either neglect a command or omit this known duty▪
2. Would you not have the truth of grace cleared up in your ſouls? Surely, there's no Chriſtian but would arrive at Aſſurance; and this is one way to evidence ſincerity, being much with God in ſecret duty: As he grieves truly that grieves without witneſs;Ille do…t vere qui ſine teſte dolet. ſo thoſe religious actings are moſt evidential of grace that are leaſt obvious to the view of men; and whereby a Chriſtian approves his heart, only to the heart-ſearching God: Here's the true Iſraelite that can,Rom. 2.28. with Jacob, converſe with God alone, and ſeeks his praiſe, not of men, but of God: Obſerve it, a Chriſtian ordinarily hath not that comfort in a duty expoſed to others view, which he hath in that he performs betwixt God and his own Soul: For, there's moſt danger of ſelfiſhneſs in the former, and more ſelf-denial in the latter: The wind of applauſe may blow men far in a creditable performance, but humility and ſincerity is moſt evident in ſecret Appeals to God: Conſider this, Chriſtians, you run to Sermons, Miniſters, good Books, and take much pains to try your ſtate by marks and ſigns, make tryal of this more compendious courſe to clear your ſtate; be much with God in Cloſet-Prayer.
3. Would you not be found in the practice of the power of godlineſs? Oh then fall cloſs to Cloſet-Prayer: Alas, ſirs, hearing Sermons, reading Scriptures, diſcourſing religiouſly, praying in the family, may be done only for faſhion ſake, and the perſon that doth them, may have no more than the form of godlineſs: Miſtake me not, I do not condemn the practice of theſe, nor them that do them, as formaliſts for that: God forbid, they are Scripture duties, but the outward part of theſe may be done without the power of godlineſs, but to ſtruggle with a man's own heart, to wreſtle with God in a Corner, to meditate and give up a mans ſelf to theſe duties, as in the preſence of God; oh, this ſhews ſomething of the power of grace, and life of holineſs. This is heart-work, and that's hard work, coſtly duties, ſpiritual exerciſes, which is more than to offer God thouſands of Rams, or a firſt-born Son: David would not offer that to God that coſt him nothing; and ſhall we be content with the ordinary duties which may be conſiſtent with an eaſie plodding formality?
4. Would you not have your hearts caſed under preſſing burdens? Are you in love with your ſorrows? would you not be rid of them? Behold, I ſhew unto you an excellent way to get eaſe, which is a recourſe to God in ſecret Prayer! I have heard ſome precious Chriſtians ſay, that when any thing hath lyen upon their hearts, ready to overwhelm them, they have run to God in a corner, and there have left their load, and thence have gone, with good Hannah, and have been no more ſad: And experience tells us, that when any preſſing affliction lies upon us, if we can unboſom our ſelves to an intimate friend, though not a word of counſel or comfort paſs from him; yet that opening of our hearts doth eaſe, as vomiting doth an oppreſſed ſtomack. And hence, ſaith Job, I will ſpeak that I may be refreſhed: And Scripture backs this in Phil. 4.6. Be careful in nothing, but in every thing make your requeſts known to God, and unload your cares and fears into the boſom of God: but how? Why by Prayer and Supplication in Thanksgiving: lay your load on God by Prayer, and he will bear it.
5. Would you not obtain boldneſs in acceſs to God, and familiarity with him? Oh, go often to God in Cloſet-Prayer. Princes take more ſtate upon them when converſing with their favourites before others, but when none are preſent, they open their hearts more familiarly to them I know Abraham, ſaith God, he and I are well acquainted, he is my friend, he viſits me often, and ſhall I hide any thing from Abraham? I'll take him to a ſide, and tell him my whole heart; ſo will God to you, he will communicate much to you, and you may ſay any thing to him, you are not ſtrangers to him, but may come into his preſence boldly, and he will make you welcom, Heb. 4.16. On the contrary, what a dreadful thing will it be to have ſtrange thoughts of God in duty, or at death? Strangeneſs betwixt God and a ſoul is a ſad uncomfortable thing: Wicked men are total ſtrangers to God: gracious ſouls little imployed in ſecret prayer, are little acquainted with God, and worſhip afar off; but ſincere ſouls converſing much with God in ſecret, attain to abundance of intimacy with the Lord: and is not that a mercy worth a World?
6. Would you not have the ſins of others to bring wrath and judgment on the place? Oh then, let your ſouls weep and pray in ſecret places, as Jeremiah did, Chap. 13.17. This is the laſt and ſafeſt way to be delivered from the guilt of open crying ſins in the Land, even a mourning for them in prayer before the Lord: thus did Lot, and David, Paul, and all Saints: Yea Moſes's ſolitary prayer interpoſed betwixt flaming wrath, and offending Iſrael: thus did he ſtand in the gap, and you may make an attonement for the Nation: a gift in ſecret may pacifie that wrath that's already broken out againſt us. Wicked men ſin in ſecret, let us mourn in ſecret; yea they ſin openly, let us lament privately. The truth is,2 Kings 17.9. ſecret ſins may undo a Nation, except the cry of the Saints ſecret prayers be louder than the cry of wicked mens ſecret ſins: Oh fall to it. Ariſe, cry out in the night, in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord — Lam. 2.19.
7. Would you not have your own ſecret ſins ſet in the light of God's countenance? Pſal. 90.8. then repent and pray alone, humble your ſouls in ſecret for your ſecret ſins. Are you not conſcious to your ſelves of much ſecret guilt? And doth not God expect that you ſhould ſet your ſelves to mourn over them, and cry to God for pardoning grace in ſecret?Eccl. 12.13. Do you not know that God will bring every ſecret thing to light in the great day of accounts? Nay, God may puniſh you openly,2 Sam. 12.12. as he did David for his ſecret ſin. Well then, anticipate that ſad ſevere judgment, by judging your ſelves, and deprecating his righteous judgment: I may ſay to thee, Soul, as Solomon beſpeaks Shimei, Thou knoweſt all the wickedneſs which thy heart is privy to: and where are thy prayers, and tears, and groanings in ſecret? Oh, ſirs, if others ſins draw you not to ſecret Prayer, let your own, which may afford matter of abundant grief in your Cloſets and retirement.
8. Would you not prevent and circumvent wicked mens ſecret plots? Be ſure then, you undermine them by ſecret Prayer: The Devil and the Pope have many cloſs and conclave conſultations to undermine the Proteſtant Religion, and to root out the name of Iſrael from under Heaven: they are working under ground to do us miſchief; we have ſeen by the light of London's flames their helliſh devices in their dark vaults; Wicked men lye in wait ſecretly as a Lion in his den, to catch the poor and murder the innocent, Pſal. 10.Pſal. 64.1, 2, 4, 5.8, 9. And now what courſe is to be taken for preventing theſe horrid deſigns? Alas, we have no other remedy, but the ancient Chriſtians weapons, Prayers and Tears; theſe may break their nets, and blunt their weapons; good Jeremiah knew not that they had deviſed devices againſt him, but he reveals his cauſe to God in prayer, and then God ſhews him their doings, and prevents their attempts, Jer. 11.18, 19, 20. Saints Cloſet-prayers may break wicked mens Cloſet-plots: Fall cloſs then to this great duty.
9. Would you not be condemned by the Heathens Chamber-Idolatry? Oh then, do you perform Chamber and Cloſet-Duties? They had their [Divos penetrales, or Penates] their Houſhold-gods, and Cloſet-images, they had their [opertanea, and tenebroſa ſacra] their covered, vailed, and myſterious exerciſes in ſecret places: And the Jews borrowed ſeveral myſtical rites of the Heathens: hence we read in Ezek. 8.12. of Chambers of imagery, as the Papiſts at this day have their Crucifixes, their petty-Chamber, Cloſet deities, where they drop their Beads, and do homage to their Idols; and ſhall theſe in their blind ſuperſtition condemn our irreligion? Shall it be ſaid of a devout Philoſopher, that in ſo many years he ſpoke more with the gods than with men? And ſhall it be ſaid of any of us, that God (even the true God) is not in all our thoughts? or ſo little in our lips; at leaſt, in ſecret ſolemn addreſſes to him? Let not poor ignorant Papiſts out-ſtrip us in devotion; Since there is ſuch vaſt difference.
10. Would you not be ſuitable to Gods diſpenſations? When the Lord our God puts us to ſilence, and into ſolitary places, he expects that we ſhould viſit him there: Cant. 2.14. Oh my Dove that art in the clefts of the rock, in the ſecret place of the ſtairs, i. e. in an afflicted perſecuted and deſolate condition, Let me ſee thy countenance, let me hear thy voice, i. e. in the duties of Prayer, praiſe, and Goſpel-Ordinances: For then was her voice ſweet, and countenance comely; when they are caſt out, then doth God expect and entertain them: And this advantage have Gods children had by privacy, into which they were caſt, as we heard before of Jeremiah, Chap. 15.15. So the afflicted Church, Lam. 3.28, 29. When ſhe ſitteth alone in ſolitarineſs, then ſhe putteth her mouth in the duſt, in faſting and prayer; and ſo a particular perſon as there: Now a man is at leiſure for it: While perſons have their full imployment or enjoyments, they are too buſie; but when perſons are taken off other wayes, 'tis time to retire themſelves and retreat to God: The leſs comfort perſons find in publick Ordinances, the more ſerious muſt they be in Cloſet-performances; that the loſs may be ſupplied ſome way.
SECT. II. Several Objections, Anſwered.
TIs ſtrange if our carnal hearts and cavilling ſpirits have not ſomething to ſay againſt this difficult duty: I ſhall therefore mention what Objections, I can foreſee may be made, and briefly anſwer them.
1. Obj. We pray in our families, and is not that enough? What needs all this ado?
Anſw. 1. This Objection cannot be made by all: ſome have no Families to pray with, but if thou doſt pray in thy family, 'tis well; there's many graceleſs heads and prayerleſs houſes: Of which it may be ſaid, The fear of God is not in this place: Oh the wrath that ſhall be poured out on ſuch Families: But ſuppoſe thou doſt, Family-prayer is one thing, and Cloſet-prayer is another: and let me tell thee, God never made one duty to ſuperſede another; you muſt not juſtle out one work, becauſe you are bound to perform another. Every thing is beautiful in its place and ſeaſon. Gods Commandments are exceeding broad, and take in a great compaſs of duties. You muſt worſhip God in your Houſes; that exempts you not from worſhipping God in your Cloſets, no more than in the publick Aſſemblies: There's equal commands for all, neceſſity of all; neglect any at your peril: Beſides, I told you, a Child of God hath a ſecret errand to his Father, that it is not fit his family ſhould know of; and upon this account God hath appointed Cloſet-Prayer, as tendering the credit of his people, that they might not diſcover their ſpiritual nakedneſs to any but to that God who knows their ſecrets, and will keep their counſel: And I muſt tell thee, Soul, thou art very little ſenſible of thy ſpiritual ſtate or wants, if thou have nothing to ſay to God that thou wouldſt not have others to hear.
2. Obj. But I am a poor man, and buſie in my calling, and cannot take ſo much time in Cloſet-Prayer, I have other occaſions.
Anſw. Friend, haſt thou any greater buſineſs than the affairs of thy ſoul; let thy calling ſtand ſtill rather than thy ſoul ſhould be damned: Curſed be thoſe occaſions that eat out Religion: But conſider, you may follow both Callings, if you be obſervant; our general and particular callings muſt not interfere. Clean creatures divided the hoof, conſiderate Chriſtians are ſuch as rightly proportion works to their particular ſeaſons. A chief part of David's Arithmetick of numbring daies, was in that which we call Diviſion, to caſt the account of this our ſhort life, ſo as to divide the little total ſum thereof into the ſeveral portions of time due for performing every duty in: The hand-maid may not thruſt out the Miſtreſs; nor the Shop have all, and Chamber none of our time: You are flat Atheiſts, if you think Praying will hinder your work: No, no,Nobis pietate pecul…a C…eſcunt. Mant. it bleſſeth and expediteth temporal affairs. We uſe to ſay, Meat and Mattins hinder no work. Canſt thou not get time for eating, ſleeping? Yea, doſt thou not ſpend as much time in idleneſs, and vain diſcourſe, as would be required every day for this duty? If thou hadſt an honeſt heart, thou wouldſt redeem time from thy meat, or ſleep, or recreations, for Prayer, rather than neglect a duty, or damn thy ſoul: The truth is, we complain we want time, but we waſte time: There's not the pooreſt Labourer, but he miſ-ſpends more time than Prayer-time comes to: And why ſhould any water be left off, when there's little enough in the channel to turn the Mill for, or towards our God?
3. Obj. But I am a Servant, and muſt obey my Maſter; I am kept too hardly at work, to get time for ſecret Prayer; I am called to work betimes, dogged to it all the day.
Anſw. Though you be ſervants to do mens work, yet not ſlaves to their luſts: in that reſpect you muſt not be the Servants of Men; if you be Servants, you are the Lords Free-men, if free, yet you are Chriſts ſervants, 1 Cor. 7.22, 23. Remember, you have a Maſter in Heaven; no mortal creature can diſcharge you from your attendance on God: You muſt do Gods work as well as your Maſters, and your Maſters work for God's ſake.Eph. 6.6, 7. Oh ſirs, do not neglect your duty to God, to pleaſure men. Can your ſuperiour anſwer for your neglect? Or interpoſe betwixt flaming wrath and your ſinning ſouls? But I am afraid, ſome lay the blame on Maſters, when the fault is in themſelves: Deceive not thy ſelf by accuſing others to clear thy ſelf; this was Adam's fault: Think not that anothers rigour can excuſe thy neglect: Let me tell you, there's never a ſervant ſo ſtrictly watch'd, but might ſteal ſome time from his Maſter for his God; and yet do him no wrong: Only ſee that you be prudent in chuſing ſuch ſeaſons as may not juſtly provoke your Maſter, or prejudice his occaſions: And be often in your callings lifting up your hearts to God; be content with your condition: had you more liberty, it may be your hearts would not be in ſo good a frame: But let me beſpeak Maſters indulgence to poor and pious Servants; oh hinder them not in any good work, rather put them upon it, encourage them in it, bleſs God that you have praying ſervants, this is a hopeful preſage of good ſucceſs: Let not your ſervants fare the worſe, but the better, for being God's ſervants.
4. Obj. But I have no Cloſet to pray in, no convenient room for ſecret Prayer; I have a little houſe, a buſie full family, and cannot retire my ſelf.
Anſw. A good good heart will find room, either within doors, or without: a gracious ſoul will ſeek out places to pray in; any ſorry cote will be a Bethel, where it can injoy its God: or, if he cannot get to it under the roof, he will (with good Iſaac) walk out into the fields to meditate, and to pray: Could Heathens and Idolatrous Jews plant groves for their ſuperſtition, in an Apiſh imitation of Abraham's practice? And cannot a Bird of Paradiſe take its flight out of ſome Wood or Arbour into Heaven? But, moſt need not make this ſilly ſlight excuſe; they have good roofs to be in, and need not worſhip God [ſub Dio] in the open air: few of us but we have convenient rooms, but moſt of us want affectionate hearts to viſit God therein: But, Chriſtians, make good uſe of your houſes to ſerve God therein, elſe they may juſtly ſpue you out, and leave you harbourleſs; and then, what a dreadful ſting and guilt will follow you whither-ſoever you go? Oh conſider London's flames and ruines; your houſes are no better built, nor more ſecured from the like Cataſtrophe: do not weaken their foundations by wilful neglects, or ſcandalous ſins.
5. Obj. But I know ſome good Chriſtians that never uſe it, yea, that maintain it in their judgements that it is not neceſſary, except in ſome extraordinary caſes; What ſay you to that?
I Anſw. I never yet met with ſuch perſons that had the face of Religion, that ever ſpoke againſt the ordinary practiſe of this duty of Cloſet-Prayer. I confeſs, I have met with ſome, who being urged to Family-Prayer, have put it off with this evaſion, that they would pray in their Cloſets (how well, the God of Heaven knows.) But if any profeſſors judgement be ſo far bribed to plead for the fleſh in this neglect, the Lord rebuke them, and forgive them, they know not what they ſay. This is a lamentation, that there's ſcarce any truth ſo ſacred, or duty ſo ſpiritual, but it hath been contradicted in theſe licentious daies: Some have pleaded againſt Family-Prayer, Catechiſing, Chriſtian-meetings, and what not? But they can produce no ſolid arguments: do not you follow their example contrary to plain Scripture, precepts, and precedents. Many were produced for confirmation, moſt whereof were not only in extraordinary caſes, but were an ordinarie practice: And can you find the day that affords not ſome ſpecial matter to occaſion you to make addreſſes to God in ſecret Prayer? If you be ſenſible and obſervant, ſurely you will ſee great need for ſuch retirements in ordinary practice. Remember this, that you follow no man, but as he follows Chriſt: but I am ſure our precious Saviour uſed this practice.
SECT. III. More Objections, anſwered.
6. Obj. BUT I find not my heart affected or prepared: Is it not a tempting of God, to go when the ſpirit doth not move me?
I Anſw. 'Tis a dangerous miſtake to think you may not go to duty, but when the ſpirit moves you: For it may be long before it ſtir; the ſpirit bloweth where, and when it liſteth: You are therefore to lay your ſelves in the way of the ſpirit, call in its aid, which ordinarily comes when ſouls do their duty: Holy performances are (as it were) the walk of the ſpirit, the air where he breaths: and be ſure he is moſt likely to be found in his own way, and walk; but you cannot expect him in the neglect of plain duty: Try this way, put God to't, plead his promiſe, you cannot think to be warm, if you run from the fire: If you have not an appetite to pray, you muſt pray for an appetite; for neglect, or omiſſion of a duty, never fits, but alwaies unfits for a duty: If you'll heed your trifling ſpirits, and accept every excuſe which they make, you ſhall never pray: If you play the truant one time, you'll have leſs mind to go to God the next time; guilt makes you afraid, and you dare not come near that God whom you have wronged; as Adam run from God, and Peter would thruſt Chriſt from him, when conſcious of guilt. How dare you look God in the face, whom you have ſlighted? Beſides, you'll find that neglect of duty, doth not make the next performance more eaſie, but more difficult. It will (as one ſaith) require more time and pains for you to tune your inſtrument, than for another to play his leſſon: And is it not more likely God ſhould come to you in pains-taking, than total omiſſion? Do you not read in the Pſalms, how often David begun faintly, and ended triumphantly? Try the Lord, and ſee if he be not better than you expect.
7. Obj. I, but (ſaith a poor ſoul) I meet with temptations when I go to God in ſecret; Satan aſſaults me, I am timorous, and dare not be alone, or in the dark, but am afrighted.
Anſw. 'Tis a ſign the duty is good, becauſe ſo bad a ſpirit oppoſeth it: the more Satan ſees a duty is for the ſouls advantage, the more diligent he is to hinder the performance; but muſt Satan be gratified rather than God glorified, or thy ſoul edified? Wilt thou give way to him? Reſiſt the devil, and he will flee from thee: think not thou canſt perform a fleſh-diſpleaſing duty, when Satan is quiet, and doth not moleſt; he will be buſie to tempt when thou art going to thy God; this is no new thing, he will jog thy hand when thou art writing thy letter to thy Friend in Heaven: think not to be more exempted than even thy Saviour himſelf, he was ſet upon by the Devil in his ſolitary receſſes in the wilderneſſe; and, oh the horrible nature of thoſe temptations! Mat. 4. When Joſhua the High-Prieſt prayed, Satan ſtood at his right hand to reſiſt him, but the iſſue was good, God rebuk'd him, Zech. 3.1, 2. And thus he will do for thee, he will tread Satan under thy feet, and make thee a conqueror; only when thou art annoyed with this foul ſpirit, turn to thy God, leave not thy work, let not Satan take thee off duty; then he hath attained his end: fall cloſer to the work; conſider, faſting and prayer caſt out the devil;Matt. 26.4. Eph 6.18. watching and prayer are preſervatives from infection, yea, Prayer it ſelf is a chief piece of a Chriſtians Armour: if you be beat off this, you are routed; this ingageth God for you; without this, you are but like other men, and the Philiſtin will put out your eyes, lead you captive, and make ſport of you: ſtick cloſe to this what ever you do; though all the devils in hell roar upon you, yet run to your God in Prayer; they are ſluggards, or cowards, that ſay there's a Lion in the way, when they are called out to hard ſervice, or difficult duty; nay, rather ſay as he once in an arduous undertaking, Here's a work fit for the ſpirit of an Alexander; ſo, here's a duty that becomes a Chriſtian to manage: By your God you may run through a Troop, and leap over a Wall. But more of that anon.
8. Obj. But I get no good by Cloſet-Prayer, I have uſed it ſo long, and ſtill my heart is as cold, hard, dead, as ever; I will give over now.
Anſw. Is not this too like the language of thoſe that ſay, It is in vain to ſerve God? Mal. 3.14. And are you like thoſe Atheiſts, that think Prayer is to no purpoſe? I hope not: You think it doth good to ſome, but not to you. Well, what's the reaſon? Is it not becauſe you do not pray aright? Therefore ſearch your ſelves, ſee how you prayed, mourn over your defects, and mend the matter: It's true, one who ſees the Well dry, breaks, or throws away his Pitcher; but, Is God a barren wilderneſs? Is it not good for you to draw near to God? Were they ever aſhamed that waited on him? Haſt not thou ſometimes found benefit by ſecret Prayer? God is good to the ſoul that ſeeks him: try again, you will not loſe your labour; be not weary of well-doing, in due time you ſhall reap, if you faint not, let not your hands hang down, let not your knees grow feeble; the Text tells you, your Father that ſees in ſecret, will reward you openly, and dare you not truſt him beyond ſenſe and experience? There may be more advantage by this dutie, than you are aware of, you ſhall not yet know the profit you have by ſecret Prayer, you muſt keep on in a patient continuance in well-doing, and not give over till you receive a full reward; but oh take heed of giving over prayer, becauſe you think you want preſent profi…: You cannot do Satan greater ſervice, or your ſouls more prejudice: But more of this anon.
9. Obj. But I am weak in parts, and know not what to ſay; Fain I would, but alas I cannot open my wants to God in Prayer, I want gifts, abilities.
Anſw. I am glad to hear thee thus complain: thou art fitter for praying, when thou canſt lie under the ſenſe of thy inabilitie to pray, that's an uſeful diſpoſition in dutie: But thou ſaiſt thou canſt not pray, then I'll tell thee what to do; Go thy waies alone, and fall down upon thy knees, and plainly tell the Lord thou canſt not pray, and intreat him to help thee by his bleſſed Spirit, which he hath promiſed to them that ask it: tell the Lord, that thou canſt not think a good thought, or ſpeak a good word without that bleſſed Spirit, but it ſhall help thine infirmities, and teach thee what to ſay: oh beg hard for that holy Spirit; and then, let ſome means be uſed to get matter of Prayer: you know it conſiſts of confeſſion of ſin, petition for good things, deprecation of evil, and thankſgiving for mercies: Well then, ſit down, and think with thy ſelf, what ſins thou art guilty of; original, or actual; of omiſſion, or commiſſion; this is too too fruitful a ſubject: take them home, tell God of them, by ingenious confeſſion: Then bethink thy ſelf what thou wanteſt at the hands of God, as Pardon, Grace, Peace, Heaven, and begg theſe; conſider alſo what thou art afraid of, as guilt, ſtrength, effects of ſin, Gods wrath, Satans malice; and deſire the Lord to prevent, and remove theſe, for Chriſt's ſake: And laſtly, recollect what mercies thou haſt had from God, and reckon them up to God, with expreſſions of thankfulneſs: Do this with plainneſs, and ſeriouſneſs; heed not ſo much for exact method, or fine phraſes: the gilt of the key makes it not open the door a jot the better; and a Prayer doth not work upon God any, rather becauſe of the neat language therein, but unboſome thy ſelf plainly, and ſeriouſly before thy God, and thou ſhalt find preſent aſſiſtance and acceptance, and future inlargement and incouragement: Be honeſt, though never ſo homely in Prayer.
10. Obj. But I like not this ſtir, it's an hard and difficult work: I would rather do any thing than this, my ſpirit is wonderful averſe to it; ſay what you will, it will not down with me, to make all this ado in Cloſet-Prayer; it's pretty fair if I can keep up ſuch duties as Church and Family require.
Anſw. This is the pleading of fleſh and blood, this is the bottom of the former objections, I expected this all along: if the tongue ſpeak not thus, the heart doth: let a duty be preſſed never ſo home, a carnal heart will make ſome evaſions; though the mouth be ſtopped, yet a cavilling heart will have ſomething to ſay againſt a ſpiritual duty: And if it cannot be mad with reaſon, it grows mad without reaſon, and againſt Scripture: 'Tis eaſier to bring arguments to convince the judgement, than to draw the will and affections to a through obedience: But ſoul, wilt thou plead for Baal? Wilt thou take the devils part, and yield to carnal reaſon? or wilt thou baulk any divine commands to gratifie a lazie humour, or a baſe luſt? God forbid; methinks, if thou canſt not obey as thou ought'ſt, yet thou ſhould'ſt take God's part, and plead for obedience: Paul doth ſo, Rom. 7.15, 16. Though he ſaith, What I would, that do I not, But what I hate, that do I, — (yet ſaith he) I conſent to the Law that it is good: i. e. I take patt with God, and joyn with Gods will againſt my corrupt and carnal affections, that would draw my neck from under this heavenly yoke: And if you have not ſomething within you that takes part with Gods revealed will, you are not of God: But a principle of grace doth facilitate and make eaſie the hardeſt duties, becauſe there is a likeneſs betwixt holy hearts and holy performances: Love makes every thing eaſie; hence it comes to paſs that Chriſts yoke is eaſie, Mat. 11.30. His ways pleaſant, and his commandments not grievous, 1 Joh. 5.3. If thy heart were right, duties would be ſweet to thy ſoul; 'tis no burden to eat, drink, ſleep; the acts of nature are delightful to perſons in a right temper; if they be not, nature is oppreſt, and out of order: A child of God in duty, ſo far as regenerated, is like a man in his calling, or a creature in its proper Element: Beſides, wert thou more accuſtomed to duty in ſecret, it would be more familiar to thee, and leſs irkſom: We ſee by experience, Uſe makes heavy things light, we hardly feel the weight of our cloaths, becauſe fitted to us, and conſtantly carried by us, when as the ſame weight upon our ſhoulders would trouble us: Chriſtians, conſider all Chriſtian duties are not of equal difficulty; yet withal obſerve it, Duties that are hardeſt to go through, many times bring in the ſweeteſt income: And ſo is this; the profit of it will abundantly recompence for your pains in it: Be ſure when a duty is lined with difficulty, and your corrupt hearts draw back, and have moſt averſeneſs to it, there is ſomething of God in that duty, and God aims you more than ordinary advantage by it: Therefore do not ſay a word againſt it, but ſtir up your ſelves, ſpur on your hearts, ſhake off ſloth, and run to God, whatever Satan, the World, or Fleſh ſay to the contrary: thus much for the Objections.
SECT. V. Some Caſes of Conſcience, briefly anſwered.
THere are yet four Caſes of conſcience I ſhall briefly propound and Anſwer.
1. Caſe. Whether may not an hypocrite or graceleſs ſoul perform this duty of Cloſet-prayer; and what difference is there betwixt a real Saint and an unregenerate perſon in this work?
I Anſ. It is poſſible a carnal man may pray in ſecret, but with theſe differences: 1. He is urged to it by the challenges of an accuſing conſcience, he is (as it were) dogg'd to't, he dare not but do it; but a Child of God hath a gracious principle, inclining him to it, from love to God, and a deſire to pleaſe and enjoy him: Yet through the remainders of corruption, there's much unwillingneſs in the beſt; ſo that ſometimes a Saint muſt even force himſelf to the performance.
2. An hypocrite will not thus pray always, Job 27.9, 10. 'Tis but in ſome pang, or under ſome preſſing affliction; and when this good mood is over, he takes his leave of God, till whipt to him again by the like: But a child of God is in ſome meaſure conſtant and diligent in the duty, though he may have ſinful omiſſions and intermiſſions, yet never a total ceſſation from duty. Grace works the heart God-ward, and the ſoul is not content without Him.
3. An hypocrite doth not make conſcience to get his heart up to God in the duty, he is content with the work done, words ſaid; but a real Saint hath moſt ado with his heart, that's the hardeſt piece of the work; he dare not leave that behind him, and he hath much ado to get it up.
4. A carnal man keeps his round in formal duty, but gets nothing; he prays to little profit or purpoſe, and indeed doth not much ſtudy to gain a ſpiritual good: But a child of God is a great gainer, he gets at ſometimes communion with God, communications from God: Oh what good doth his ſoul meet with! Though not always, yet at ſometimes.
2. Caſe. Whether may a Chriſtian bind himſelf to the performance of this duty of Cloſet-Prayer at ſtated times? Or, ſuppoſe a Chriſtian miſs his times deſigned for that work, what muſt he then do?
Anſ. To the former; that in general thou mayſt and muſt ſwear and vow that thou wilt keep Gods Commandments, Pſal. 119.106. ſo doth David. And in Scripture we are bid to make vows, and pay them to the Lord, Pſal. 76.11. Vowing our ſelves and all that we have to God, is neceſſary: Sequeſtring ſome part of our time to his ſervice, is requiſite: And in ſome caſes for ſome perſons, it may be expedient to bind and task our ſelves by an holy reſolution, to take ſo much time, at leaſt every day for Gods worſhip, yea at ſuch a time as may be judged moſt commodious by our experiences. And this may be a good help to keep in our treacherous hearts from delay or dallying: But to ingage our ſelves to a particular hour ſo punctually and unalterably, as not to take another, may not be ſo ſafe; partly, becauſe our times are in Gods hands, and we know not what intervening Providence may fall in to prevent our performance, whereby conſcience may be intangled in a perplexing labyrinth; beſides, our outward occaſions, and the frame of our Spirits, may diſcover a greater fitneſs at another ſeaſon: Yet, though I would not have Chriſtians bring a ſnare upon their ſouls by Vowing, yet I humbly conceive that they may conſult conveniences and deſign ſome time for that work and purpoſe, God willing, to keep an hour of Prayer: And if they be hindered by a journey, or any unexpected unavoidable occaſions, they muſt mourn for it as their burden, redouble their diligence another time, not plead needleſs diverſions, lift up ejaculations to God, keep a praying frame of ſpirit, and God will graciouſly pardon and entertain them.
3. Caſe. How may a Chriſtian know that he enjoyeth communion with God in Cloſet-prayer?
Anſ. Communion with God is twofold. 1. As to Graces, 2. As to Comforts. Sometimes a Chriſtian may feel the joy of Gods ſalvation, have the ſweet kiſſes of his mouth, ſmiles of his face, ſeals of the Spirit, and the lively ſpringings of joy and raviſhing pleaſures; theſe carry their own evidence along with them: But all have not theſe, nor any at all times; therefore the ſureſt way is to inquire after communion with God, with reference to the exerciſe of grace in duty: then hath a child of God true fellowſhip with God, when by the ſweet aſſiſtance of Gods Spirit his mind is knit to the object of worſhip, the underſtanding is fruitful in ſpiritual and ſuitable thoughts, when the will and affections are carried out in ſtrong and panting deſires and longings after God: When the heart is throughly broken in the ſenſe of ſin, melted into godly ſorrow, affected with the ſweetneſs of pardoning grace, and ardently pleads with God for acceptance; again, when the graces of the Spirit are acted in the duty, as, an holy awe and fear of God, faith, love, humility, zeal and fervency, and a willingneſs to forgive others, as well as to be forgiven by the Lord: Laſtly, a ſoul may know when it hath communion with God, by the conſequences of duty, as when the Chriſtian is more vile in his own eyes, as Abraham was, gives God all the glory, ſees and bewails his defects in greateſt inlargements, when the ſpirit is left in a better frame, and fitter to bear croſſes, and perform after-duties, &c. I do but hint theſe things.
4. Caſe. Suppoſe I have prayed and prayed, and find not my heart affected; 'tis dead, dull, diſtracted, I do no good; get no good in duty, I fear I offend God, What ſhall I do?
Anſ. Such a caſe is ſad: yet conſider, 1. It may be the caſe of gracious hearts, David was ſo depreſſed and troubled, that he could not ſpeak, Pſal. 77.3, 4. Gods beſt Children are ſometimes out of frame, their ſpirits unfit for duty:
2. A total neglect will not mend the matter, nor help the frame of your hearts; one ſin will never cure another; running from the fire is not the way to be warm: your hearts will not be better, but worſe, by forbearance; omiſſion indiſpoſeth.
3. Who knows but God may come in the next time? Keep upon the Royal Exchange ſtill, ply the oars, give God no reſt, gratifie not Satan by neglect. Tradeſmen keep their Markets, though for ſmall gains: you'l get ſomething at laſt worth your pains; they never were aſhamed that have waited on him: The iſſue will be good.
4. God may graciouſly accept thy obedience, though thou have not ſweet inlargement, the obedience is thine, the inlargement God's, he is a free Agent, and works when he pleaſeth, he loves to ſee poor ſouls tug and ſtruggle with their own hearts, though they can get little forward, yet they would be better and do better: The Father takes it well when the Child is ſtriving to obey him, though it fall very far ſhort: He ſees, the Spirit is willing, though the fleſh be weak, and accepts of upright endeavours: Nay, obſerve it, a Chriſtians conſcientious attendance upon God without inlargements, may be more acceptable to God than when he hath the ſweeteſt inlargements; becauſe there is moſt obedience in thoſe duties, but in the other a Chriſtian is (as it were) hired to performances by the Earneſt-peny of inlargements: Oh, 'tis a brave thing to perſevere in duty under diſcouragements; he that can trade when times are ſo dead, that all his wares lye upon his hand, yet trades more; ſurely his ſtock is great. So 'tis an evidence of much Faith, Love, Sincerity, when the Soul can maintain this Heavenly Trade, when his ſenſible incomes are ſmall: Yet when God thus withdraws from you, you muſt deeply lay it to heart, inquire the cauſe, make your peace with him, and ply the Throne of Grace with greater importunity: Thus much briefly, for theſe Caſes of Conſciences.
And now, beloved friends, I have diſpatcht this Subject concerning Cloſet-prayer, What remains, but that we ſhould all fall cloſs to the conſtant practice of this duty? What do Miniſters preach Sermons, or print Books for? Is it to be ſeen and heard in publick? Is it to be applauded? Or, is it not rather to do good to peoples ſouls? And can people get any good by hearing a ſound of words, or a complemental reading what is written? Is there not ſomething elſe required of you now, even a ſetting about the conſcientious practice of what is before you? What ſay you ſirs, to this Point? Is Cloſet-Prayer a Chriſtian duty, or is it not? If it be not, why doth Chriſt direct us to the right manner of performance, and aſſure us that our Father will reward it openly? Will God reward any thing but commanded duty? There's no queſtion but 'tis a duty, I challenge any man to diſprove it now, and to ſtand to his aſſertion another day before the God of Heaven: But I think none will deny it to be a duty; and ſirs, dare any man that profeſſeth Religion, live in the groſs neglect of plain duty? Do you think it's fit it ſhould be done, and will you not do it? Shall your own tongues be brought in as witneſſes againſt your ſelves? Will you be like that Son that ſaid, I go ſir, but went not? Shall God wait your leiſure, and you'l not give him a viſit? Will you go into your Cloſets to make up your accounts? And will you not reckon ſtreight betwixt God and your Souls? Dare you go from day to day under the guilt of a known ſin? If you do not what you have read, this Book will flie in the face of conſcience another day. But I am moſt afraid, leſt Chriſtians trifle about this work, and ſhuffle it off after any faſhion, and ſo put off God with a meer outſide performance, to pacifie conſcience, without that warmth and life we ſhould have in our Cloſets: 'Tis recorded of Luther, that he prayed every day three hours, and even then when his ſpirits were moſt lively, [Per tres horas, eaſq, ad ſtudia aptiſſimas] Nor were his Cloſet-Prayers dull, careleſs, heartleſs; be ſo fervent and ardent, ſaith Melancthon, that they which ſtood under his window where he ſtood praying, might ſee his tears falling and dropping down: Oh but where is this zeal and ardency in our ſecret devotion? Are we not ready to drop aſleep, even upon our knees? Alas, how formal are we? The fire of God is wanting in our ſacrifices: Nay, do we not take Gods Name in vain many times, and know not what we ſay? Oh, why do we thus forget Gods omnipreſence and omniſcience? Doth not he know our hearts? And ſhould not we approve our ſelves to God in our Cloſets? Yea, doth not Satan ſtand under our Cloſet-window (or rather at our Elbow) and hears what we ſay to God in our Cloſets? If you take not notice of your miſtakes in Cloſet-Prayer, Satan doth; and takes advantage by them: Indeed, I have heard ſome make this a ſcruple, whethey ſhould in ſecret confeſs heart-ſins, leſt Satan ſhould be acquainted with what he knew not before, and ſo be furniſhd with matter to accuſe them of, but an ingenious confeſſion prevents Satans accuſation, becauſe we have a promiſe of remiſſion annexed thereunto, Rom. 8.33. And who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of juſtified perſons? He hath little reaſon to take your confeſſions, and daſh them in your teeth; ſince that was both the means and evidence of pardon: But if you fear that, you may do as Hannah in Prayer, ſpeak in your hearts, and then Satan cannot tell what you ſay, but your God doth: However neglect not the duty; for this you may be ſure, that Satan will catch more advantage by omiſſion or negligent performance, than by an ingenuous acknowledgment of heart-ſins, though he do hear you.
Sirs, Awake to righteouſneſs, Rouze up your ſelves to the work, put not off God or conſcience with a negative anſwer: you may as well ſay, Nay, as pretend and promiſe to do it, and not perform; fall to the practice of it therefore this day, there's danger in delays, if you do it not to day, you'l be more unfit to morrow: At this inſtant, fall upon thy knees, beg a bleſſing upon this book for the good of thy ſoul and others, look upon Cloſet-Prayer as thy priviledge, as well as thy duty? 'Tis a mercy thou mayſt go to God as often as thou wilt, and for what thou needeſt: 'Tis no ſmall favour that God hath allowed thee the uſe of this privy Key to open Heaven-gates when thou haſt not the more publick key of others help in Prayer; yet this is thy incouragement, Thy Father that ſees in ſecret will reward thee openly.
I ſhall ſhut up all with a piece of Herberts Poetry, called Artillery.
AS I one Evening ſate before my cell,
Methought a Star did ſhoot into my lap,
I roſe and ſhook my cloaths, as knowing well,
That from ſmall fires, comes oft no ſmall miſhap:
When ſuddenly I heard one ſay
Do as thou uſeſt diſobey,
Expel good motions from thy breſt,
Which have the face of fire, but end in reſt.
I who had heard of Muſick in the Sphears,
But not of ſpeech in Stars, began to muſe;
But turning to my God whoſe Miniſters
The Stars and all things are, if I refuſe,
Dread Lord, ſaid I, ſo oft my good,
Then I refuſe not even with blood,
To waſh away my ſtubborn thought:
For I will do or ſuffer what I ought.
But I have alſo Stars and Shooters too,
Born where thy Servants both Artilleries uſe,
My Tears and Prayers night and day do woe,
And work up to thee, yet thou doſt refuſe:
Not but I am (I muſt ſay ſtill)
Much more oblig'd to do thy will,
Than thou to grant mine, but becauſe
Thy promiſe now hath even ſet Thee Laws:
Then we are ſhooters both; thou doſt deign
To enter combate with us, and conteſt
With thine own clay: But I would parley fain
Shun not my Arrows, and behold my breſt:
Yet if thou ſhunneſt I am thine,
I muſt be ſo if I am mine,
There is no articling with thee,
I am but finite, yet thine infinitely.
FINIS.
End of the text · Oliver Heywood, Closet Prayer a Christian Duty (1671)