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

And hence it is, that the Duty performed with respect unto this part of the Aid and assistance of the Spirit of God, is of late by some (as was said) vilified and reproached. Formerly their exceptions lay all of them against some Expressions or weakness of some Persons in conceived Prayer, which they liked. But now scorn is poured out upon the matter of Prayer it self, especially the humble and deep confessions of Sin, which on the discoveries ⟨p. 73⟩before mentioned, are made in the Supplications of Ministers and others. The things themselves are traduced as absurd, foolish and irrational, as all Spiritual things are unto some sorts of men. Neither do I see how this disagreement is capable of any Reconciliation. For they who have no Light to discern those respects of Sin and Grace, which we have mentioned, cannot but think it uncouth to have them continually made the matter of mens Prayers. And those on the other hand who have received a Light into them, and Acquaintance with them by the Spirit of God, are troubled at nothing more, than that they cannot sufficiently ^*abase themselves under a sense of them, nor in any words fully express that impression on their minds which is put on them by the Holy Ghost; nor clothe their desires after Grace and Mercy, with words sufficiently significant and emphatical. And therefore this difference is irreconcilable by any but the Spirit of God himself. Whilst it doth abide, those who have respect only unto what is discernible in the Light of Nature or of a natural Conscience in their Prayers, will keep themselves unto general expressions and outward things, in ⟨p. 74⟩words prepared unto that purpose by themselves or others, do we what we can to the contrary. For men will not be led beyond their own Light, neither is it meet they should. And those who do receive the Supplies of the Spirit in this matter, will in their Prayer be principally conversant about the spiritual internal concernments of their Souls in Sin and Grace, let others despise them and reproach them whilst they please. And it is in vain much to contend about these things, which are regulated not by Arguments but by Principles. Men will invincibly adhere unto the capacity of their Light. Nothing can put an end to this difference, but a more plentiful Effusion of the Spirit from above, which according unto the Promise we wait for.