Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

You next instance in Prayer, and conclude that [As for Prayer there is no more ground or colour to make it a converting Ordinance than the Supper, &c.] Repl. 1. A man that hath but common desires may be persuaded to ask for what he so desires: Though he have no Promise of Acceptance, you do not find him threatened with judgement for such a Prayer (so it be not grossly hypocritical or wicked) as he is for unworthy receiving the Supper, without a discerning the Lords Body. 2. When we exhort any man to pray for Christs pardon, the Spirit, &c. we therein exhort him to desire them; for desire is the soul of Prayer, and the chief part of its essence: Now the first of these desires which we exhort them to, is conversion it self, even that they would turn to God by a change of their wills, and express them in Prayer. 3. I can show you where the wicked are commanded to seek the Lord, that is, by Prayer to express their returning hearts, which implieth their returning it self; but you cannot show where ever they are commanded to communicate with the Church in the Sacrament, but in this order, first to be converted and repent, and so baptized, and so communicate: or if Baptized already▪ to be Penitents first, and Communicants next.

You next instance in Prayer, and conclude that [As for Prayer there is no more ground or colour to make it a converting Ordinance than the Supper, &c.] Repl. 1. A man that hath but common desires may be perswaded to ask for what he so desires: Though he have no Promise of Acceptance, you do not find him threatned with judgement for such a Prayer (so it be not grosl• hypocritical or wicked) as he is for unworthy receiving the Supper, without a discerning the Lords Body. 2. When we exhort any man to pray for Christs pardon, the Spirit, &c. we therein exhort him to desire them; for desire is the soul of Prayer, and the chief part of its essence: Now the first of these desires which we exhort them to, is conversion it self, even that they would turn to God by a change of their wills, and express them in Prayer. 3. I can shew you where the wicked are commanded to seek the Lord, that is, by Prayer to express their returning hearts, which implyeth their returning it self; but you cannot shew where ever they are commanded to communicate with the Church in the Sacrament, but in this order, first to be converted and repent, and so baptized, and so communicate: or if Baptized already▪ to be Penitents first, and Communicants next.