for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, (whither he was banished by Domitian, a most cruel Emperor) 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. 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, and his errand was, to open more clearly and fully the blessed seriptures to him. Some comfortable and encouraging knowledge, this man of God had attained unto before, by his fiequent and constant study in the word; excites 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, 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 foot 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 and familiar 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, grace, goodness, mercy and bounty, his beauty, and glory 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 time, than he did by study in a longer space." As John, by weeping in private 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 and 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. Hos. ii. 14. “Behold I will allure her and bring her unto 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 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 visits! the secret whispers ! the secret cheerings! the secret sealings, and the secret discoveries! that God gives to his people when alone. When Jeremiah was

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alone in his dark dungeon, he had great and wonderful things shewed him that he knew not of.

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

And it was 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 thyself therefore by prayer and meditation into thy closet, or the fields, and there thou shalt have Christ's presence.

A Lady being at private prayer and meditation in her parlour, had such sweet, choice, and full enjoyment of God, that she cried out, O that I might ever enjoy this sweet communion !

Christ loves to manifest himself to 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 choicest, and richer gifts in secret; and so doth Christ give his the best, when they are all alone. But, as for such as cannot spare time to seek God in secret, they sufficiently manifest that they have little fellowship or friendship with him to whom they so seldom come.

VII. 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, no secret wants to pinch us, no secret temptations to betray us, no secret snares to entangle us, nor no secret enemies to supplant us. We had need live

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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, exalting and delighting in God will be for ever incumbent upon us in heaven; but this duty of private prayer, we must take our leave of, when we come to lay our heads in the dust.

VIII. Consider, the great prevalency of secret prayer, Private prayer is Porta Cali, Clavis Paradisi, the gate of heaven, a key to let us into Paradise. O! the great things that private prayer hath done with God! the great mercies that have been obtained, and the great threatenings that have been diverted thereby; the great judgments that have been removed and prevented by private prayer! I have read of a malicious woman who gave herself to the devil, provided he would do mischief to such a neighbour, whom she mortally hated: the devil went again and again to do his errand, but at last he returus and tells her, that he could do no hurt to that man, for whenever he came, he found him either reading the scriptures, or at private prayer. Private prayer pierces the heavens, and are commonly blest and loaded with gracious and glorious returns from thence. Whilst Hezekiah was praying and weeping in private, God sent the prophet Isaiah to assure him that his prayer was heard, that his tears were seen, and that he would add unto his days fifteen years. And when Isaac was alone meditating and praying and treating with God for a good wife, in the fields, he meets Rebeckah. So Jacob, Gen. xxxii. 24-28. "And Jacob was left alone, and there wrestled a man with him, until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not

against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, let me go, for the day breaketh; and he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, what is thy name? and he said, Jacob. And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." In this scripture we have an elegant description of a duel fought between the ALMIGHTY and Jacob; and hence we observe,

First, The combatants, Jacob and God, who appeared in the shape or appearance of man. He that is here said to be a man, was the Son of God in human shape, as appears by the whole narration, and by Hosea xii. 3, 4, 5. Now this man that wrestled with Jacob, was indeed God, and not man, is most evident for these

reasons,

1. Jacob desires a blessing from him, verse 26. Now it is God's prerogative royal to bless, and not angel's nor men's.

2. He calls him by the name of God; "thou hast power with God," verse 28. and, saith Jacob, "I have seen God, face to face. verse 30. Not that he saw the majesty and essence. of God, for no man can see the essential glory of God and live, Exod. xxxiii. 20, 23. but he saw God more apparently and more gloriously than ever he had done before. Some created shape, some glimpse of glory Jacob saw, whereby God was pleased to testify his more immediate presence; but not himself.

3. The same person that Jacob wrestles with, is he