Let those that name the name of Christ depart from the iniquity of
their closet--when men have a closet to talk of, not to pray in; a
closet to look upon, not to bow before God in, a closet to lay up
gold in, but not to mourn in for the sins of the life; a closet
that, could it speak, would say, My owner is seldom here upon his
knees before the God of heaven, seldom here humbling himself for the
iniquity of his heart, or to thank God for the mercies of his life.
Then also a man is guilty of closet-iniquity when, though he doth
not utterly live in the neglect of duty, he formally, carnally, and
without reverence and godly fear, performs it. Also when he asketh
God for that which he cannot abide should be given him; or when he
prayeth for that in his closet, that he cannot abide in his house
nor his life.
It is a great thing to be a closet-Christian, and to hold it; he
must be a close-Christian that will be a closet-Christian. When I
say a close-Christian, I mean one that is so in the hidden part, and
that also walks with God. Many there be that profess Christ, who do
oftener frequent the coffee-house than their closet; and that sooner
in a morning run to make bargains, than to pray unto God and begin
the day with him. But for thee, who professest the name of Christ,
do thou depart from all these things; do thou make conscience of
reading and practising; do thou follow after righteousness; do thou
make conscience of beginning the day with God. For he that begins it
not with him, will hardly end it with him; he that runs from God in
the morning, will hardly find him at the close of the day; nor will
he that begins with the world and the vanities thereof in the first
place, be very capable of walking with God all the day after. It is
he that finds God in his closet, that will carry the savor of him
into his house, his shop, and his more open conversation. When Moses
had been with God in the mount his face shone, he brought of that
glory into the camp. Exod. 34.