Now, let no Christian say, that he hath no communion with God in closet-prayer, because he hath not such a full, such a choice, such a sweet, such a sensible, and such a constant communion with God in closet-prayer, as such and such "saints have had, or as such and such saints now have ; for all saints do not alike enjoy communion with God in their closets : some have more, some have less ; some have a higher degree, others a lower ; some are rapt up in the third heaven, when others are but rapt up in the clouds. What man is there so childish and babyish as to argue thus, that he hath no wisdom, because he hath
Mat. VI. 6.] the privy key of heaven. 267
not the wisdom of Solomon ; or, that he hath no strength, because he hath not the strength of Samson ; or, that he hath no life, because he hath not the swiftness of Ahimaaz ; or, that he hath no estate, because he hath not the riches of Dives ? And yet so childish and babyish many weak Christians are, as to argue thus : viz., that they have no com- munion with God in their closets, because they have not such high, such comfortable, and such constant communion with God in their closets, as such and such saints have had, or as such and such saints now have ; whereas they should seriously consider, that though some saints have a great communion with God, yet other saints have but a small communion with God ; and though some Christians have a strong communion with God, yet other Christians have but a weak communion with God ; and though some of the people of God have a very close and near communion with God, yet others of the people of God have but a more remote communion with God; and though some of God's servants have a daily, constant, and uninterrupted communion with God, yet others of his servants have but a more transient and inconstant com- munion with God. But,
[3.] Thirdly, I answer, When a man acts grace in closet-duties, then certainly he hath communion ivith God in closet-duties, 2 Tim. i. 17, 1 Tim. ii. 8. When a man in closet duties acts faith on God, or faith on the promises, or faith on the blood of Christ ; or when a man in private duties acts repentance for sin, or love to Jesus Christ, or sets up God as the object of his fear, or as the object of his joy, &c., then he hath communion with God, then he hath fellowship with the Father, and with the Son, 1 John L 3. An unregenerate man may act gifts and parts in a duty, but he cannot act grace in a duty ; for no man can act grace in a duty, but he that hath grace in his soul ; and hence it comes to pass that unsanctified persons under the highest activity of their arts, parts, and gifts in religious duties, enjoy no communion with God at all; witness the scribes and pharisees, Demas, Judas, Simon Magus, &c., Isa. i. 11-13. As ever you would have an evidence of your communion with God in closet duties, carefully look to the activity of your graces, carefully stir up the grace of God which is in you, 2 Tim. i. 6. But,
[4.] Fourthly, I answer, When a man hath communion with God in his closet, then he gives God the glory of all his actings and activi- ties, Ps. cxv. 1. Communion with God always helps a man to set the crown of praise and honour upon the head of God. Wi tness that gracit»us and grateful doxology of David and his people, in that 1 Chron. xxix. 13, * Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorit)Us name.' Men that enjoy no communion with God in religious duties, are still a-sacrificing unto their own net, and a-burnmg incense unto their own drag, Hab. 116; they are still ablessing themselves, and a-stroking of themselves, and applauding themselves ; they think the garland of praise, the crown of honour, becomes no head but their own, Luke xviL 11, 12. But now, men that enjoy communion with God in religious duties, they will uncrown themselves to crown God, they will uncrown their duties to crown the God of their duties, they will uncrown their arts, parts, gifts, and enlargements, to set the crown of praise upon the head of God alone. Acts iil 11-13, 16 ; B^v. iv. 10, 11 ; chap. v. 11,
268 THE PRIVY KEY OF HEAVEN. [MaT. VI. 6.
12. Thou thinkest that thou hast communion with God in closet-duties, yea, thou sayest that thou hast communion with God in closet duties ; but on whose head dost thou put the garland of praise ? Ps. cxlviii. 13. If on (iod's head, thou hast communion with God ; if on thine own head, thou hast no communion with God. As all the rivers run into the sea, and all the lines meet in the centre, so, when all our closet- duties terminate and centre in the advance of God's glory, then have we communion with God in them.
Constantine did use to write the name of Christ over his door. When a man hath communion with Christ in a duty, then he will write the name of Christ, the honour of Christ, upon his diity. Some say that the name of Jesus was engraven upon the heart of Ignatius; sure I am, when a man hath communion with God in a duty, then you shall find the honour and glory of Jesus engraven upon that duty. But,
[5.] Fifthly, I answer. When the performance of closet-duties leaves the soul in a better frame, then a man hath communion with God in them. When a man comes off from closet-duties in a more holy frame, or in a more humble frame, or in a more spiritual frame, or in a more watchful frame, or in a more heavenly frame, or in a more broken frame, or in a more quickened and enlivened frame, &c., then certainly he hath had communion with God in those duties. When a man comes out of his closet, and finds the frame of his heart to be more strongly set against sin than ever, and to be more highly resolved to walk with God than ever, and to be more eminently crucified to the world then ever, and to be more divinely fixed against temptations than ever, then without all perad venture he hath had communion with God in his closet