Then & Now · 10 of 28

7. This Life Is the Only Time for Private Prayer

Seventhly, Conſider, the time of this life is the only time for private prayer. Heaven will admit of no ſecret prayer. In Heaven there will be no ſecret ſins to trouble us, nor no ſecret wants to pinch us, nor no ſecret temptations to betray us, nor no ſecret ſnares to entangle us, nor no ſecret enemies to ſupplant us. We had need live much in the practiſe of that duty here on earth, that we ſhall never be exerciſed in after death. Some duties that are incumbent upon us now, p. 47 as praiſing of God, admiring of God, exalting and lifting up of God joying and delighting in God, &c. will be for ever incumbent upon us in Heaven; but this duty of private prayer, we muſt take our leaves of, when we come to lay our heads in the duſt.

Seventhly, consider the time of this life is the only time for private prayer. Heaven will admit of no secret prayer. In heaven there will be no secret sins to trouble us, nor no secret wants to pinch us, nor no secret temptations to betray us, nor no secret snares to entangle us, nor no secret enemies to supplant us. We had need live much in the practice of that duty here on earth‸ that we shall never be exercised in after death. Some duties that are incumbent upon us now, as praising of God, admiring of God, exalting and lifting up of God, joying and delighting in God, etc., will be forever incumbent upon us in heaven; but this duty of private prayer, we must take our leaves of‸ when we come to lay our heads in the dust.