A discourse of the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer with a brief…

This first consists in our outward straits, pressures and Difficulties, which we desire to be delivered from, with all other temporal things wherein we are concerned. In those things it should seem wondrously clear, that of our selves we know what to pray for. But the truth is, whatever our sense may be of them, and our natural desires about them, yet how and when, under what conditions and limitations, with what frame of heart and Spirit, what submission unto the pleasure of God they are to be made the matter of our Prayers, we know not. Therefore doth God call the Prayers of most about them, howling, and not a crying unto him with the Heart, Hos. 7. 14. There is indeed a Voice of nature crying in its distress unto the God of nature. But that is not the Duty of Evangelical Prayer which we enquire after. And men oft-times most miss it, where they think themselves most ready and prepared. To know our Temporal wants so as to make them the matter of Prayer according to the mind of God, requires more Wisdom than of our selves we are furnished withal. For who knoweth what is good for man in this Life, all the days ⟨p. 54⟩of his vain life, which he spendeth as a shadow? Eccl. 6. 12. And oft-times Believers are never more at a loss, than how to pray aright about temporal things. No man is in pain or distress, or under any wants, whose continuance would be destructive to his Being, but he may, yea he ought to make deliverance from them the matter of his Prayer. So in that case he knows in some measure, or in general, what he ought to pray for, without any peculiar spiritual illumination. But yet the Circumstances of those things, and wherein their respect unto the Glory of God and the supreme End, or chiefest good of the Persons concerned, doth stand, (with regard whereunto they can alone be made the matter of prayer acceptable unto God in Christ) is that which of themselves they cannot understand, but have need of an interest in that Promise made to the Church, that they shall be all taught of God. And this is so much more in such things as belong only unto the Conveniences of this Life, whereof no man of himself knows what is good for him, or useful unto him.