Then & Now · 2 of 28
To the Reader
To the Reader
Chriſtian 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,
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.
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 passed over our heads. See more of this in the 16th argument for closet prayer‸‸‸‸.
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.
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‸—oh, that I could not say any—‸live in too great a neglect of this indispensable duty, and that more than a few, for want of light, err 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.
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, ‸ 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.
Fourthly, to preserve and keep up the power of religion and godliness in men’s 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‸‸.
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.
Fifthly, because closet ‸prayer is a most sovereign remedy, a most precious antidote of God’s own prescribing, against the plague that now rageth in the midst of us (‸1 Kgs 8:‸37–‸39).
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.
Sixthly, because every man is that really‸ which he is secretly. Never tell me‸ how handsomely, 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 ‸ certainly what 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.
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 wondered 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 nutshell. I have also inquired of several old disciples whether they have ever heard one sermon on closet prayer among all the thousand sermons that they have heard in their days? And they have answered, “No.” I have also inquired of them whether they had ever read any treatise on the 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 blessed 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 rejoice.
Eighthly and laſtly, That favour, that good acceptance, and fair quarter, that my other poor labours have found, not onely 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.
Eighthly and lastly, that favor, that good acceptance, and fair quarter‸ that my other poor labors have found, not only in this nation, but in other countries 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” (Deut 33:16) will rest upon this, as it hath ‸to the glory of free grace‸ rested upon my former endeavors. 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
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,
Thine in our dear Lord Jesus,