Consider that God hath set a special mark of favour, honour, and observation, upon those that have prayed in secret.
As you may see in Moses, Exod. 34:28; and in Abraham, Gen. 21:33; and in Isaac, Gen. 24:63; and in Jacob, Gen. 32:24–29; and in David, Ps. 55:16, 17; and in Daniel, chap. 6:10; and in Paul, Acts 9:11; and in Cornelius, Acts 10:2, 4; and in Peter, Acts 10:9–12; and in Manasseh, 2 Chron. 33:18, 19. God hath put all these worthies that have exercised themselves in secret prayer upon record, to their everlasting fame and honour.
The Persians seldom write their king’s name but in characters of gold. God hath writ, as I may say, their names in characters of gold who have made conscience of exercising themselves in secret prayer. The precious names of those that have addicted themselves to closet-duties are as statues of gold, which the polluted breath of men can no ways stain; they are like so many shining suns that no clouds can darken; they are like so many sparkling diamonds that shine brightest in the darkest night. A Christian can never get into a hole, a corner, a closet, to pour out his soul before the Lord, but the Lord makes an honourable observation of him, and sets a secret mark of favour upon him, Ezek. 9:4–6. And how should this provoke all Christians to be much with God alone!
The Romans were very ambitious of obtaining a great name, a great report, in this world; and why should not Christians be as divinely ambitious of obtaining a good name, a good report, in the other world? Heb. 11:39. A good name is always better than a great name, and a name in heaven is infinitely better than a thousand names on earth; and the way to both these is to be much with God in secret.
The opening statement makes sense after Brooks you down Scripture and, yes, history. Here it is again. Believe this, and be excited about your next get away in the secret place.
Consider that God hath set a special mark of favour, honour, and observation, upon those that have prayed in secret.
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Brooks, T. (1866). The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks. (A. B. Grosart, Ed.) (Vol. 2, pp. 195–196). Edinburgh; London; Dublin: James Nichol; James Nisbet and Co.; G. Herbert.
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