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

But yet there is no such Work of the Holy Spirit pleaded herein, as should be absolutely inconsistent with, or Condemnatory of all those outward Aids of Prayer, by set composed Forms, which are almost every where made use of. For the Device being ancient, and in some degree or measure received generally in the Christian World, (though a no less general Apostasy in many things from the Rule of Truth at the same time, in the same ⟨image 6⟩Persons and places, cannot be denied) I shall not judge of what Advantage it may be, or hath been unto the Souls of men, nor what Acceptance they have found therein, where it is not too much abused. The substance of what we plead from Scripture and Experience is only this; That whereas God hath graciously promised his Holy Spirit, as a Spirit of Grace and Supplications, unto them that do believe, enabling them to pray according to his Mind and Will, in all the circumstances and capacities wherein they are, or which they may be called unto; it is the Duty of them who are enlightened with the Truth hereof, to expect those promised Aids and Assistances in and unto their Prayers, and to pray according to the Ability which they receive thereby. To deny this to be their Duty, or to deprive them of their Liberty to discharge it on all occasions, riseth up in direct opposition unto the Divine Instruction of the sacred Word.

But yet there is no such Work of the Holy Spirit pleaded herein, as should be absolutely inconsistent with, or Condemnatory of all those outward Aids of Prayer, by set composed Forms, which are almost every where made use of. For the Device being antient, and in some degree or measure received generally in the Christian World, (though a no less general Apostasy in many things from the Rule of Truth at the same time, in the same ⟨image 6⟩Persons and places, cannot be denied) I shall not judge of what Advantage it may be, or hath been unto the Souls of men, nor what Acceptance they have found therein, where it is not too much abused. The substance of what we plead from Scripture and Experience is only this; That whereas God hath graciously promised his Holy Spirit, as a Spirit of Grace and Supplications, unto them that do believe, enabling them to pray according to his Mind and Will, in all the circumstances and capacities wherein they are, or which they may be called unto; it is the Duty of them who are enlightened with the Truth hereof, to expect those promised Aids and Assistances in and unto their Prayers, and to pray according to the Ability which they receive thereby. To deny this to be their Duty, or to deprive them of their Liberty to discharge it on all occasions, riseth up in direct opposition unto the Divine Instruction of the sacred Word.