[b]The golden key, and the iron lock
(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)
He who is Omniscient--to know your needs,
is also Omnipotent--to grant your requests.
"Ask, and receive--that your joy may be full."
Spiritual supplication is the channel to consolation.
Now none are more fruitful in divine labor--than
those who are most joyful under a sense of the
divine favor.
Death shortens our way to heaven--but
prayer sweetens our way to heaven.
There never was one new-born soul--who was still-born.
The prayerless soul--is a fruitless soul. The waters of life
are sweet--and it is blessed to bring the vessels of prayer
to these wells. It matters not, how often you carry your
empty pitcher--to so full a river!
Christians will never lack a praying time--if they possess
a praying frame. In the morning, prayer is a golden key
--to open the heart for God's service; and in the evening,
prayer is an iron lock--to guard the heart against sin.