The Secret Key of Heaven

Then & Now · 9 of 28

6. God Lets Out Himself Most to His People in Secret

6. God Lets Out Himself Most to His People in Secret

Sixthly, Conſider, that God hath11 uſually let out himſelf moſt to his people, when they have been in ſecret, when they have been alone at the Throne of Grace. Oh the ſweet meltings, the heavenly warmings, the bleſſed cheerings, the glorious manifeſtations, and the choice communion with God, that Chriſtians have found when they have been alone with God in a corner, in a cloſet, behind the door! When had Daniel that Viſion & comfortable Meſſage, that bleſſed News (by the Angel) that he was greatly beloved, but when he was all alone at prayer? Dan. 9. 20, 21, 22, 23. And while I was ſpeaking, and praying, and confeſſing my ſin, and the ſin of my people Iſrael, and preſenting my ſupplication before the Lord my God, for the holy Mountain of my God; yea, while I was ſpeaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had ſeen in the Viſion at the beginning, being cauſed to flie ſwiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation: And he informed me, and talked with p. 37 me, and ſaid, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill, and underſtanding. At the beginning of thy ſupplications the commandement came forth, and I am come to ſhew thee; for thou art greatly beloved. Therefore underſtand the matter, and conſider the Viſion. Whilſt Daniel was at private prayer, God by the Angel Gabriel reveales to him the ſecret of his Counſel, concerning the Reſtauration of Jeruſalem, and the duration thereof, even to the Meſſiah; and whilſt Daniel was at private prayer, the Lord appears to him, and in an extraordinary way aſſures him that he was a man greatly beloved, or as the Hebrew (Chumudoth) hath it, a man of deſires, that is, a man whom Gods deſires are towards, a man ſingularly beloved of God, and highly in favour with God, a man that art very pleaſing and delightful to God. God loves to lade the wings of private prayer with the ſweeteſt, choiceſt, and chiefeſt bleſſings. Ah how often hath God kiſſed a poor chriſtian at the beginning p. 38 of private prayer, and ſpoke peace to him in the midſt of private prayer, and fill’d him with light, and joy, and aſſurance upon the cloſe of private prayer?

  1. 11. O Lord, I never come to thee but by thee; I never go from thee without thee. Bern. [dropped from the edition]

Sixthly, consider that God hath usually let out Himself most to His people‸ when they have been in secret, when they have been alone at the throne of grace. Oh the sweet meltings, the heavenly warmings, the blessed cheerings, the glorious manifestations, and the choice communion with God‸ that Christians have found when they have been alone with God in a corner, in a closet, behind the door! When had Daniel that vision and comfortable message, that blessed news by the angel that he was “‸greatly beloved,” but when he was all alone at prayer? ‸ ‸“‸And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin, and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God‸ for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill‸ and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision” (Dan 9:20–23). While Daniel was at private prayer, God, by the angel Gabriel, reveals to him the secret of His counsel concerning the restoration of Jerusalem‸ and the duration thereof, even to the Messiah. And while Daniel was at private prayer, the Lord appears to him, and in an extraordinary way assures him that he was a man “‸greatly beloved,” or as the Hebrew chumudoth hath it, “‸a man of desires,” that is, a man whom God’s desires are towards, a man singularly beloved of God, and highly in favor with God, a man that is very pleasing and delightful to God. God loves to lade the wings of private prayer with the sweetest, choicest, and chiefest blessings. Ah‸! How often has God kissed a poor Christian at the beginning of private prayer, and spoken peace to him in the midst of private prayer, and filled him with light‸ and joy‸ and assurance upon the close of private prayer?

And ſo Cornelius is highly commended and graciouſly rewarded upon the account of his private prayer, Acts. 10. 1, 2, 3, 4. There was a certain man in Ceſarea called Cornelius, a Centurion of the Band called the Italian Band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his houſe; which gave much Alms to the people, and prayed to God alwayes: He ſaw in a viſion evidently about the ninth houre of the day, an Angel of God coming in to him, and ſaying unto him; Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and ſaid, what is it, Lord? and he ſaid unto him, thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. Verſ. 30. 31. And Cornelius ſaid, four dayes agoe I was faſting until this hour (that is, until about three a clock in the after-noon, verſ. 3.) and at the ninth hour I prayed in my houſe, and behold a man ſtood before me in bright cloathing, p. 39 and ſaid, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine Alms are had in remembrance in the ſight of God. Mark, as he was praying in his houſe, namely, by himſelf alone, a man in bright clothing (that was an Angel in mans ſhape, verſ. 3.) appeared to him, and ſaid, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard; he doth not mean only that prayer which he made when he faſted and humbled himſelf before the Lord, verſ. 30. 31. but (as verſ. 2, 3, 4. ſhews (His prayers) his prayers which he made alone; for it ſeemes, none elſe were with him then, for he only ſaw that man in bright cloathing, and to him alone the Angel addreſſed his preſent ſpeech, ſaying, Cornelius, thy prayers are heard, verſ. 4, 31. Here you ſee that Cornelius his private prayers are not only heard, but kindly remembred, and graciouſly accepted, and gloriouſly rewarded. Praying Cornelius is not only remembred by God, but he is alſo viſited ſenſibly and evidently by an Angel, and aſſured that his private prayers p. 40 and good deeds are an odour, a ſweet ſmel, a ſacrifice acceptable and well pleaſing to God.

And so, Cornelius is highly commended and graciously rewarded upon the account of his private prayer‸‸. “‸There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day‸ an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God‸‸…‸And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour (that is, until ‸ three o’clock in the afternoon, v. 3‸); and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And said…Thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God” (Acts 10:1–4, 30–31). Mark, as he was praying in his house, namely, by himself alone, a man in bright clothing (that was an angel in man’s shape, v. 3‸) appeared to him, and said, “‸Cornelius, thy prayer is heard” (v. 31). He doth not mean only that prayer which he made when he fasted and humbled himself before the Lord; but, ‸as verses 2-4 show, his prayers, ‸ his prayers which he made alone. For it seems‸ none else were with him then, for he only saw that man in bright clothing; and to him alone the angel addressed his present speech, saying, “‸Cornelius, thy prayer is heard” (v. ‸ 31). Here you see that Cornelius’ ‸ private prayers are not only heard, but kindly remembered, and graciously accepted, and gloriously rewarded. Praying Cornelius is not only remembered by God, but he is also visited, sensibly and evidently, by an angel, and assured that his private prayers and good deeds are an odor, “‸a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, and wellpleasing to God” (Phil 4:18).

And ſo when had Peter his Viſion, but when he was praying alone on the houſetop? Acts 10. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the City, Peter went up unto the houſe-top to pray, about the ſxith hour. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, and ſaw heaven opened, and a certain Veſſel deſcending unto him, as it had been a great ſheet, knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth, wherein were all manner of four-footed beaſts of the earth and wild beaſts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Riſe, Peter; kill and eat. When Peter was upon the houſe-top at prayer alone, then he fell into a trance, and then he ſaw Heaven opened, and then he had his ſpirit raiſed, his Mind clevated, and all the Faculties of his ſoul filled with a Divine Revelation.

And so when did Peter have his vision but when he was praying alone on the housetop? ‸ ‸“‸On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up unto the housetop to pray‸ about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet‸ knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat” (Acts 10:9–13). When Peter was upon the housetop at prayer alone, then he fell into a trance, and ‸ he saw heaven opened; and then he had his spirit raised, his mind elevated, and all the faculties of his soul filled with a divine revelation.

And ſo when Paul was at prayer alone, he ſaw in12 p. 41 a Viſion a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his ſight. Paul had not been long at private prayer, before it was revealed to him, that he was a choſen veſſel, & before he was filled with the gifts Graces, and Comforts of the Holy Ghoſt.

  1. 12. Acts 11 18. [dropped from the edition]

And so when Paul was at prayer alone, he saw “‸in a vision a man named Ananias coming in‸ and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight” (Acts 9:12). Paul had not been long at private prayer‸ before it was revealed to him‸ that he was a chosen vessel, and before he was filled with the gifts‸, graces, and comforts of the Holy Ghost.

And when John was alone in the Iſle of Patmos, for the word of God, and for the teſtimony of Jeſus Chriſt (whither he was baniſhed by Domitian, a moſt cruel Emperor) then he had a glorious13 ſight of the Son of man, and then the Lord diſcovered to him moſt deep and profound Myſteries, both concerning the preſent and future ſtate of the Church, to the end of the world. And when John was weeping (in private prayer doubtleſs) then the ſealed book was opened to him.

  1. 13. Euſeb. l. 3. c. 18. Rev. 1. 9,—ult. Rev. 5. 1, to 9. [dropped from the edition]

And when John was alone in the isle of Patmos “‸for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev 1:9), whither he was banished by Domitian (Rev 1:9; 5:1–9), a most cruel emperor, then he had a glorious sight of the Son of Man, and then the Lord discovered to him most deep and profound mysteries, both concerning the present and future state of the church, to the end of the world. And when John was weeping‸, in private prayer doubtless, then the sealed book was opened to him.

So when Daniel was at private prayer, God diſpatches a heavenly meſſenger to him, and his Errand was to open more clearly and fully the bleſſed Scripture to him. Some comfortable & encourraging p. 42 knowledge this holy man14 of God had attain’d unto before by his frequent and conſtant ſtudy in the word, and this egges him on to private prayer, and private prayer poſts an Angel from heaven to give him a clearer and fuller light. Private prayer is a Golden-key to unlock the myſteries of the word unto us. The knowledge of many choice and bleſſed Truths are but the returns of private prayer. The Word dwells moſt richly in their hearts, who are moſt in pouring out of their hearts before God in their Cloſets. When Bonaventure. (that ſeraphical Doctor, as ſome call him) was asked by Aquinas, from what books and helps he derived ſuch holy and divine expreſſions and contemplations? He pointed to a Crucifix, and ſaid (Iſte eſt liber, &c.) Proſtrate in prayer at the feet of this Image, my ſoul receiveth greater light from heaven, than from all ſtudy and diſputation. Though this be a Monkiſh tradition & ſuperſtitious Fiction, yet ſome improvement p. 43 may be made of it. Certainly that Chriſtian, or that Miniſter, that in private prayer lyes moſt at the feet of Jeſus Chriſt, he ſhall underſtand moſt of the mind of Chriſt in the Goſpel, and he ſhall have moſt of heaven and the things of his owne peace brought down into his heart.

  1. 14. Doctor Ames got his learning by privat prayer and ſo did Solomon his wiſdom. [dropped from the edition]

So when Daniel was at private prayer, God dispatches a heavenly messenger to him, and his errand was to open more clearly and fully the blessed Scripture to him. Some comfortable and encouraging knowledge this holy man of God had attained unto before by his frequent and constant study in the Word, and this eggs him on to private prayer, and private prayer posts an angel from heaven to give him a clearer and fuller light. Private prayer is a golden key to unlock the mysteries of the Word unto us. The knowledge of many choice and blessed truths are but the returns of private prayer. The Word most dwells ‸ richly in their hearts‸ who are most in pouring out ‸ their hearts before God in their closets. When Bonaventure‸‸, that seraphical doctor, as some call him, was asked by Aquinas‸ from what books and helps he derived such holy and divine expressions and contemplations, he pointed to a crucifix, and said‸‸, “‸Prostrate in prayer at the feet of this image, my soul receiveth greater light from heaven‸ than from all study and disputation.” Though this be a monkish tradition and superstitious fiction, yet some improvement may be made of it. Certainly, that Christian‸ or that minister that in private prayer lies most at the feet of Jesus Christ‸ shall understand most of the mind of Christ in the gospel, and he shall have most of heaven and the things of his own peace brought down into his heart.

There is no Service wherein chriſtians have ſuch a near, familiar, and friendly entercourſe with God, as in this of private prayer: neither is there any Service wherein God doth more delight to make known his truth and faithfulneſs, his grace and goodneſs, his mercy and bounty, his beauty and glory15 to poor Souls, than this of private prayer. Luther profeſſeth, That he profited more in the knowledge of the Scripture by private prayer in a ſhort ſpace, than he did by ſtudy in a longer ſpace. As John by weeping in a corner got the ſealed book opened. Private prayer crownes God with the Honor and Glory that is due to his Name, and God crowns private p. 44 prayer with a diſcovery of thoſe bleſſed, weighty Truths to his ſervants, that are a ſealed book to others. Certainly, the ſoul uſually enjoyes moſt communion with God16 in ſecret. When a chriſtian is in a Wilderneſs (which is a very ſolitary place) then God delights to ſpeak friendly & comfortably to him. Hoſ. 2. 14. Behold, I will allure her and bring her into the wilderneſs, and ſpeak friendly or comfortably to her. Or as the Hebrew hath it, I will ſpeak to her heart. When I have her alone, ſaith. God, in a ſolitary wilderneſs, I will ſpeak ſuch things to her heart, as ſhall exceedingly cheer her, and comfort her, and even make her heart leap and dance within her. A Husband imparts his mind moſt freely and fully to his wife when ſhe is alone; and ſo doth Chriſt to the believing ſoul. O the ſecret kiſſes! the ſecret embraces! the ſecret viſits! the ſecret whiſpers! the ſecret chearings! the ſecret ſealings! the ſecret diſcoveries! &c▪ that God gives to his people when p. 45 alone, when in a hole, when under the ſtaires, when behind the door, when in a dungeon! When Jeremiah17 was calling upon God alone in his dark dungeon, he had great and wonderful things ſhew’d him that he knew not of.

  1. 15. Bene oraſſe, eſt bene ſtuduiſſe. Luther. [dropped from the edition]
  2. 16. Nunquam minus ſolus, quam cum ſolus. Never leſs alone, than when alone, ſaid the Heathen. And may not a Saint ſay ſo much more that hath communion with God? Jer. 13. 1, 2. [dropped from the edition]
  3. 17. Jer. 33. 1, 2, 3. [dropped from the edition]

There is no service wherein Christians have such a near, familiar, and friendly intercourse with God‸ as in this of private prayer; neither is there any service wherein God doth more delight to make known His truth and faithfulness, His grace and goodness, His mercy and bounty, His beauty and glory to poor souls, than this of private prayer. Luther professed that he profited more in the knowledge of the Scripture by private prayer in a short space‸ than he did by study in a longer space, as John by weeping in a corner got the sealed book opened. Private prayer crowns God with the honor and glory that is due to His name; and God crowns private prayer with a discovery of those blessed‸ weighty truths to His servants‸ that are a sealed book to others. Certainly, the soul usually enjoys most communion with God in secret. When a Christian is in a wilderness‸, which is a very solitary place, then God delights to speak friendly and comfortably to him. ‸ ‸“‸Behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak friendly or comfortably unto her” (Hos 2:14), or as the Hebrew hath it, “‸I will speak to her heart.” When I have her alone, saith‸ God, in a solitary wilderness, I will speak such things to her heart‸ as shall exceedingly cheer her, and comfort her, and even make her heart leap and dance within her. A husband imparts his mind most freely and fully to his wife when she is alone; and so doth Christ to the believing soul. Oh, the secret kisses, the secret embraces, the secret visits, the secret whispers, the secret cheerings, the secret sealings, the secret discoveries, etc., that God gives to His people when alone, when in a hole, when under the stairs, when behind the door, when in a dungeon! When Jeremiah was calling upon God alone in his dark dungeon, he had great and wonderful things showed him that he knew not of (Jer 33:1–3).

Ambroſe was wont to ſay, I am never leſſe alone, than when I am all alone; for then I can enjoy the preſence of my God moſt freely, fully, and ſweetly; without interruption.

Ambrose was wont to say, “‸I am never less alone‸ than when I am ‸ alone; for then I can enjoy the presence of my God most freely, fully, and sweetly, without interruption.”

And ‘twas a moſt ſweet and divine ſaying of Bernard, O Saint, knoweſt thou not (ſaith he) that thy Husband Chriſt is baſhful, and will not be familiar in company: Retire thy ſelf therefore by Prayer and Meditation into thy Cloſet, or the Fields, and there thou ſhalt have Chriſts embraces.

And it was a most sweet and divine saying of Bernard, “‸O saint, knowest thou not ‸ that thy husband Christ is bashful, and will not be familiar in company? Retire thyself therefore by prayer and meditation into thy closet or the fields, and there thou shalt have Christ’s embraces.”

A Gentlewoman being at private prayer and meditation in her Parlour, had ſuch ſweet, choice, and full enjoyments of God, that ſhe cried out, Oh that I might ever enjoy this ſweet communion with God, &c.

A gentlewoman, being at private prayer and meditation in her parlor, had such sweet, choice, and full enjoyments of God‸ that she cried out, “‸Oh, that I might ever enjoy this sweet communion with God‸‸!”

Chriſt loves to embrace his Spouſe, not ſo much in the open ſtreet, as in a cloſet: And certainly p. 46 the gracious ſoul hath never ſweeter views of glory, than when it is moſt out of the view of the world. Wiſe men give their beſt, their choiſeſt, and their richeſt gifts in ſecret; and ſo doth Chriſt give his the beſt of the beſt, when they are in a corner, when they are all alone. But, as for ſuch as cannot ſpare time to ſeek God in a Cloſet, to ſerve him in ſecret, they ſufficiently manifeſt that they have little fellowſhip or friendſhip with God, whom they ſo ſeldome come at.

Christ loves to embrace His spouse, not so much in the open street, as in a closet; and certainly the gracious soul hath never sweeter views of glory‸ than when it is most out of the view of the world. Wise men give their best, their choicest, and their richest gifts in secret; and so doth Christ give His the best of the best‸ when they are in a corner, when they are all alone. But‸ as for such as cannot spare time to seek God in a closet, to serve Him in secret, they sufficiently manifest that they have little fellowship or friendship with God, Whom they so seldom come to.