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

(3.) The Commands which are given us to pray thus according unto our own Abilities, are no more nor less than all the Commands we have in the Scripture to pray at all. Not one of them hath any regard or respect unto outward Forms, Aids or helps of Prayer. And the manner of Prayer it self is so described, limited and determined, as that no other kind of Prayer can be intended. For whereas we are commanded to pray in the Spirit, to pray earnestly and fervently, with the mind and understanding, continually with all manner of Prayer and Supplication, to make our Requests known unto God, so as not to take care our selves about our present concerns, to pour out our Hearts unto God, to cry Abba Father by the Spirit and the like; I do not understand how those things are suited unto any kind of Prayer, but only that which is from the Ability which men have received for the entire discharge of ⟨p. 130⟩that Duty. For there are evidently intimated in these Precepts and Directions, such various Occasional Workings of our Minds and Spirits, such Actings of Gracious Affections, as will not comply with a constant use of a prescribed Form of Words.

(3.) The Commands which are given us to pray thus according unto our own Abilities, are no more nor less than all the Commands we have in the Scripture to pray at all. Not one of them hath any regard or respect unto outward Forms, Aids or helps of Prayer. And the manner of Prayer it self is so described, limited and determined, as that no other kind of Prayer can be intended. For whereas we are commanded to pray in the Spirit, to pray earnestly and servently, with the mind and understanding, continually with all manner of Prayer and Supplication, to make our Requests known unto God, so as not to take care our selves about our present concerns, to pour out our Hearts unto God, to cry Abba Father by the Spirit and the like; I do not understand how those things are suited unto any kind of Prayer, but only that which is from the Ability which men have received for the entire discharge of ⟨p. 130⟩that Duty. For there are evidently intimated in these Precepts and Directions, such various Occasional Workings of our Minds and Spirits, such Actings of Gracious Affections, as will not comply with a constant use of a prescribed Form of Words.