|
Publisher's Note |
xi |
|
Author's Preface |
xiii |
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PART ONE |
|
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The Doctrine of the Text (Matt. 6:6) Stated and Proved |
1 |
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PART TWO |
|
|
Twenty Arguments for Private Prayer |
|
| 1: |
The Most Eminent Saints Engaged in Private Prayer |
7 |
| 2: |
Christ Engaged in Secret Prayer |
13 |
| 3: |
Secret Prayer Distinguishes Sincerity from Hypocrisy |
18 |
| 4: |
Secret Prayer Lets Us Unbosom Ourselves before God |
20 |
| 5: |
Secret Duties Shall Have Open Rewards |
23 |
| 6: |
God Most Manifests Himself in Secret |
24 |
| 7: |
This Life Is the Only Time for Private Prayer |
31 |
| 8: |
Private Prayer's Prevailing Power |
31 |
| 9: |
Private Prayer Is the Most Soul-Enriching of Duties |
44 |
| 10: |
Secret Prayer and Secret Sins |
46 |
| 11: |
Secret Prayer Delights Christ |
47 |
| 12: |
Only Believers Share God's Secrets |
48 |
| 13: |
Private Prayer Is the Christian's Refuge in Trouble |
58 |
| 14: |
God Is Omnipresent |
61 |
| 15: |
If We Neglect Private Prayer, God Will Not Hear Our Public Prayers |
64 |
| 16: |
The Times Call for Private Prayer |
66 |
| 17: |
Those Near to the Lord Should Engage in Secret Prayer |
68 |
| 18: |
Special Marks of God's Favour |
71 |
| 19: |
Satan's Enmity to Secret Prayer |
72 |
| 20: |
The Lord's Secret Ones Should Engage in Secret Prayer |
75 |
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PART THREE |
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The Use and Application of the Doctrine |
|
|
The Doctrine Condemns Five Ways in Which Private Prayer Is Neglected |
79 |
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The Doctrine Exhorts Us to Be Frequent and Constant in Private Prayer |
85 |
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PART FOUR |
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Six Objections Stated and Answered |
|
| 1: |
We Are Too Busy to Spare Time for Private Prayer |
87 |
| 2: |
As Servants, We Have No Time That We Can Call Our Own |
104 |
| 3: |
We Lack the Necessary Gifts and Abilities for Private Prayer |
127 |
| 4: |
God Knows Our Desires and Needs Whether We Pray in Private or Not |
156 |
| 5: |
We Lack a Convenient Place for Private Prayer |
159 |
| 6: |
Our Weaknesses and Infirmities Hinder Us from Private Prayer |
161 |
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PART FIVE |
|
|
Eleven Instructions concerning Private Prayer |
|
| 1: |
Be Frequent in Private Prayer |
183 |
| 2: |
Use the Best Times and Opportunities |
188 |
| 3: |
Do Not Perform Closet Duties Merely to Still Your Conscience |
191 |
| 4: |
Do Not Trust in Closet Duties |
193 |
| 5: |
Put Your Heart into All Closet Duties |
197 |
| 6: |
Be Fervent, Warm, and Importunate with God in All Closet Duties |
201 |
| 7: |
Be Constant and Persevering in Closet Prayer |
208 |
| 8: |
Thirst and Long after Communion with God in Private Prayer |
212 |
| 9: |
Make the Glory of God Your Ultimate End |
233 |
| 10: |
Always Pray in the Name of Christ Alone |
235 |
| 11: |
Look for Answers to Your Closet Prayers |
239 |
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PART SIX |
|
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Means, Rules, and Directions for Faithful Private Prayer |
|
| 1: |
Beware of an Idle, Slothful Spirit |
243 |
| 2: |
Beware of Spending Precious Time on Small, Circumstantial Matters |
248 |
| 3: |
Beware of Curious Questions |
249 |
| 4: |
Beware of Engaging in Too Much Worldly Business |
254 |
| 5: |
Beware of Secret Sins |
256 |
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Closing Advice |
|
| 1: |
Mourn over Neglect of Private Prayer |
273 |
| 2: |
Cultivate the Habit of Closet Prayer |
274 |
| 3: |
Keep a Diary of Closet Mercies |
274 |
| 4: |
Do Not Let Public Duties and Ordinances Crowd Out Private Prayer |
277 |
| 5: |
Love Christ with a More Inflamed Love |
278 |
| 6: |
Be Thoroughly Resolved in the Strength of Christ to Persevere in Closet Prayer |
280 |
| 7: |
Strive for a Greater Measure of the Spirit |
282 |
| 8: |
Be Frequent in the Serious Consideration of Eternity |
284 |
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