17:12.
CLOSET-INIQUITY.
Let those that name the name of Christ depart from the iniquity of
their closet--when men have a closet to talk of, not to pray in; a
closet to look upon, not to bow before God in, a closet to lay up
gold in, but not to mourn in for the sins of the life; a closet
that, could it speak, would say, My owner is seldom here upon his
knees before the God of heaven, seldom here humbling himself for the
iniquity of his heart, or to thank God for the mercies of his life.
Then also a man is guilty of closet-iniquity when, though he doth
not utterly live in the neglect of duty, he formally, carnally, and
without reverence and godly fear, performs it. Also when he asketh
God for that which he cannot abide should be given him; or when he
prayeth for that in his closet, that he cannot abide in his house
nor his life.
It is a great thing to be a closet-Christian, and to hold it; he
must be a close-Christian that will be a closet-Christian. When I
say a close-Christian, I mean one that is so in the hidden part, and
that also walks with God. Many there be that profess Christ, who do
oftener frequent the coffee-house than their closet; and that sooner
in a morning run to make bargains, than to pray unto God and begin
the day with him.
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