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

WHAT we have hitherto discoursed concerning the Work of the Spirit of Grace and Supplication enabling Believers to pray or to cry Abba Father, belongeth principally unto the internal spiritual nature of the Duty and the Exercise of Grace therein, wherein we have occasionally only diverted unto the Consideration of the Interest of Words; and the use of set forms, either freely or imposed. And indeed what hath been evinced from Scripture Testimony herein, doth upon the matter render all further dispute about these things needless. For if the things mentioned be required unto all acceptable Prayer, and if they are truly effected in the minds ⟨p. 122⟩of all Believers by the Holy Ghost, it is evident how little use there remains of such pretended Aids.

WHAT we have hitherto discoursed concerning the Work of the Spirit of Grace and Supplication enabling Believers to pray or to cry Abba Father, belongeth principally unto the internal spiritual nature of the Duty and the Exercise of Grace therein, wherein we have occasionally only diverted unto the Consideration of the Interest of Words; and the use of set formes, either freely or imposed. And indeed what hath been evinced from Scripture Testimony herein, doth upon the matter render all further dispute about these things needless. For if the things mentioned be required unto all acceptable Prayer, and if they are truly effected in the minds ⟨p. 122⟩of all Believers by the Holy Ghost, it is evident how little use there remains of such pretended Aids.

But moreover, Prayer falleth under another Consideration, namely, as to its external Performance, and as the Duty is discharged by any one in lesser or greater Societies, wherein upon his words and expressions do depend their Conjunction with him, their Communion in the Duty, and consequently their Edification in the whole. This is the Will of God, that in Assemblies of his Appointment, as Churches and Families, and occasional meetings of two or three or more in the name of Christ, one should pray in the name of himself and the rest that join with him. Thus are Ministers enabled to pray in Church-Assemblies, as other Christians in occasional meetings of the Disciples of Christ in his name; Parents in their Families; and in Secret, every Believer for himself.