Of what use forms of Prayer may be unto those that are not Regenerate, and have not therefore received the Spirit of Adoption, belongs not directly unto our disquisition. Yet I must say, that I understand not clearly the Advantage of them unto ⟨p. 118⟩them, unless a contrivance to relieve them in that condition, without a due endeavour after a deliverance from it, may be so esteemed. For these Persons are of Two sorts, (1.) Such as are openly under the Power of Sin, their minds being not Effectually influenced by any Convictions. These seldom pray, unless it be under Dangers, Fears, Troubles, Pains, or other Distresses. When they are smitten, they will cry, even to the Lord they will cry, and not else. And their Design is to treat about their especial occasions, and the present sense which they have thereof. And how can any man conceive that they should be supplied with forms of Prayer, expressing their Sense, Conceptions and Affections in their particular Cases? And how ridiculously they may mistake themselves in reading these Prayers, which are no way suited unto their Condition, is easily supposed. A form to such Persons may prove little better than a Charm, and their minds be diverted by it from such a performance of Duty as the Light of Nature would direct to. Jonahs Mariners in the Storm cried every one unto his God, and called on him also to do so too, Chap. 1. 5, 6. The Substance of their Prayer was, that God would ⟨p. 119⟩think upon them that they might not perish. And men in such Conditions, if not diverted by this pretended Relief, which indeed is none, will not want words to express their minds so far as there is any thing of Prayer in what they do; and beyond that, whatever words they are supplied withal, they are of no use nor advantage unto them. And it is possible when they are left to work naturally towards God, however unskilled and rude their Expressions may be, a deep sense may be left upon their minds, with a Reverence of God, and Remembrance of their own Error, which may be of use to them. But the bounding and directing of the workings of Natural Religion by a form of words, perhaps little suited unto their Occasions, and not at all to their Affections, tends only to stifle the operation of an awakened Conscience, and to give them up unto their former security.
Of what use forms of Prayer may be unto those that are not Regenerate, and have not therefore received the Spirit of Adoption, belongs not directly unto our disquisition. Yet I must say, that I understand not clearly the Advantage of them unto ⟨p. 118⟩them, unless a contrivance to relieve them in that condition, without a due endeavour after a deliverance from it, may be so esteemed. For these Persons are of Two sorts, (1.) Such as are openly under the Power of Sin, their minds being not Effectually influenced by any Convictions. These seldom pray, unless it be under Dangers, Fears, Troubles, Pains, or other Distresses. When they are smitten, they will cry, even to the Lord they will cry, and not else. And their Design is to treat about their especial occasions, and the present sense which they have thereof. And how can any man conceive that they should be supplied with forms of Prayer, expressing their Sense, Conceptions and Affections in their particular Cases? And how ridiculously they may mistake themselves in reading these Prayers, which are no way suited unto their Condition, is easily supposed. A form to such Persons may prove little better than a Charm, and their minds be diverted by it from such a performance of Duty as the Light of Nature would direct to. Jonahs Mariners in the Storm cryed every one unto his God, and called on him also to do so too, Chap. 1. 5, 6. The Substance of their Prayer was, that God would ⟨p. 119⟩think upon them that they might not perish. And men in such Conditions, if not diverted by this pretended Relief, which indeed is none, will not want words to express their minds so far as there is any thing of Prayer in what they do; and beyond that, whatever words they are supplied withal, they are of no use nor advantage unto them. And it is possible when they are left to work naturally towards God, however unskilled and rude their Expressions may be, a deep sense may be left upon their minds, with a Reverence of God, and Remembrance of their own Error, which may be of use to them. But the bounding and directing of the workings of Natural Religion by a form of words, perhaps little suited unto their Occasions, and not at all to their Affections, tends only to stifle the operation of an awakened Conscience, and to give them up unto their former security.
