(

quency of this duty. Benefits arifing from the

due performance of it.
P. 44

CHAP. IV.

Of confeffing of fins. Wherein it confifts. Two-

fold, general and particular. Frequency of this

duty. Pofture in which we must confess our

fins. Forms of confeffion prescribed. Benefits

of this duty.

CHAP. V.

72

Of prayer. What it is. What we are to pray

for, in general, in particular. Difpofitions of

mind requifite for prayer. In whofe name our

prayers must be offered up: Set form or ex-

temporary prayer beft in the closet. How of

ten we ought to pray.

to use at our private

Benefits of prayer. ·

What pofture we are

prayers in our closets.

CHAP. VI.

85

Of thanksgiving. What it is. General and par-

ticular. Confiderations to quicken our gratitude

towards God. Benefits of this duty.

CHAP. VII.

117

Of meditation. What fubjects best to medi-

tate on. Benefits of meditation. Meditation

on death, judgment, heaven, and hell.

131

CHAP

CHAP. VIII.

Of private humiliation for our own and other

mens fins. Time for it. Advantages of it.

An office of bumiliation to be used by private

chriftians, every Friday in the year. p. 166

The CONCLUSION.

Earnestly preffing men to be conftant in the per-

formance of the duties of the clofet.

197

THE

THE

INTRODUCTION.

SHEWING

The Obligations we lie under frequently to retire into our Clufets, and the Duties there to be performed by us.

I

T being in vain to talk to men of the duties of the clofet, till they are thoroughly perfwaded

that there are such duties; I think it abfolutely neceffary, before I proceed any farther, to fhew the indifpenfable obligations we lie under, frequently to retire into our clofets; and, having taken our leaves of the world for a time, wholly to apply our felves to fuch acts of religion as I fhall hereafter direct men to, às moft proper for that place.

VOL. III.

B

And,

ven.

And, for the doing of this, methinks it fhould be fufficient only to put men in mind that they are christians; and, as fuch, are obliged, even whilft they live here upon earth, to have their converfation in hea So that if men would but seriously endeavour to become chriftians in good earneft, if they would refolve to walk as becomes the gospel of Chrift, they would foon see the neceffity of retirement in their christian converfation. For alas! how is it poffible to hold converfation with God and the world together? Know ye not, as St. James faith, Jam. iv. 4. That the friendship of the world is enmity with God? If therefore we defire to become friends of God, if we would enjoy his con→ versation, it must be in our closets; where, when we have fhut out his irreconcileable enemy the world, he will moft freely communicate himfelf to us.

But, because we find by fad experience, that all the arguments we can heap together, are scarce fufficient to keep men firm and ftedfaft in their duties; I fhall not reft fatisfied with what I have faid, but proceed to fhew the neceffity of closet retirement from these following confiderations.