The privie key of heaven, or, Twenty arguments for closet-prayer in a select discourse on that subject with the resolution of several considerable questions : the main objections also against closet-prayer are here answered ... with twenty special lessons ... that we are to learn by that severe rod, the pestilence that now rageth in the midst of us / by Thomas Brooks.

Fourthly, Consider that in se∣cret we may more freely and fully, and safely unbosome our soules to God, than we can in the presence of many or a few. Hence the Hus∣band is to mourn apart, and the Wife apart, Zech. 12. 12, 13, 14. not only to shew the soundness of their sorrow, but also to shew their sincerity by their secresie; they must mourn apart that their sins may not be disclosed nor discovered one to another: Here they are severed to shew that they wept not for com∣pany

sake, but for their own parti∣cular sins, by which they had pier∣ced and crucified the Lord of glo∣ry. In secret a Christian may de∣scend into such particulars, as in publick or before others he wil not, he may not, he ought not to men∣tion. Ah how many Christians are there who would blush and be ashamed to walk in the streets, and to converse with sinners or saints, should but those infirmities, enor∣mities, and wickednesses, be written in their fore-heads, or known to others; which they freely and fully lay open to God in secret? There are many sins which many men have fallen into before conversion and since conversion, which should they be known to the world, would make themselves to stink, and Religion to stink, and their pro∣fession to stink in the nostrils of all that know them. Yea, should those weaknesses and wickednesses be published upon the house tops, which many are guilty of before grace received, or since grace re∣ceived;

how would weak Chri∣stians be staggered, young comers on in the wayes of God discourag∣ed, and many mouthes of blasphe∣my opened, and many sinners hearts hardened against the Lord, his wayes, reproofs, and the things of their own peace; yea, how would Satans banner be displayed, and his kingdom strengthned, and him∣self infinitely pleased and delight∣ed? 'Tis an infinite mercy and con∣descention in God, to lay a Law of restraint upon Satan, who else would be the greatest Blab in all the world: It would be mirth and musick to him to be still a laying open the follies and weaknesses of the Saints.

Ambrose brings in the Devil boasting against Christ, and chal∣lenging Judas as his own. He is not thine, Lord Jesus, he is mine, his thoughts beat for me; he eats with thee, but is fed by me; he takes bread from thee, but mony from me; he drinks with thee, and sells thy blood to me. There is not a sin that a Saint commits,

but Satan would trumpet it out to all the world, if God would but give him leave. No man that is in his right wits, will lay open to eve∣ry one his bodily infirmities, weak∣nesses, diseases, ailments griefs, &c. but to some near relation, or bosom friend, or able Physitian. So no man that is in his right wits will lay open to every one his soul-infirmities, weaknesses, dis∣eases, ailments, griefs, &c. but to the Lord, or to some particular person that is wise, faithful, and able to contribute something to his souls relief. Should a Christian but lay open or rip up all his follies and vanities to the world, how sadly would some deride him and scorn him? and how severely and bitter∣ly would others censure him and judge him? &c. When David was alone in the Cave, then he poured out his complaint to God, and shewed before him his trouble, Psal. 142. 2. And when Job was all alone, then his eyes pour'd out tears to God Job. 20. 16. There is no hazzard, no

danger, in ripping up of all before God in a corner, but there may be a great deal of hazzard and danger in ripping up of all before men.

Notes

• Eccl. 12. 14. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rev. 22. 12. Heb. 10. 6. Psal. 126. 5. Luk. 14. 14. Matth. 25. 34, 37.