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

THERE are also great Pleas for the use of prescribed limited Forms of Prayer, in opposition to that spiritual Ability in Prayer, which we have described and proved to be a Gift of the Holy Ghost. Where these Forms are contended for by men, with respect unto their own use and practice only, as suitable to their Experience, and judged by them a serving of God with the best that they have; I shall not take the least notice of them, nor of any Dissent about them. But whereas a persuasion not only of their lawfulness but of their necessity is made use of unto other ends and purposes, wherein the Peace and Edification of Believers is highly concerned, it is necessary we should make some enquiry thereinto. I say it is only with respect unto such a sense of their nature, and necessity of their use, as give Occasion, or a supposed Advantage, unto men, to oppose, deny and speak evil, of that way of Prayer, with its Causes and Ends, which we have described, that is, that any way consider these ⟨p. 213⟩Forms of Prayer, and their Use. For I know well enough, that I have nothing to do to Judge or Condemn the Persons or Duties of Men in such Acts of Religious Worship, as they choose for their best, and hope for Acceptance in, unless they are expressly Idolatrous. For unless it be in such Cases, or the like, which are plain either in the Light of Nature, or Scripture Revelation, it is a silly Apprehension, and tending to Atheism, that God doth not require of all Men, to regulate their Actings towards Him, according to that Sovereign Light, which he hath erected in their own Minds.

THERE are also great Pleas for the use of prescribed limited Forms of Prayer, in opposition to that spiritual Ability in Prayer, which we have described and proved to be a Gift of the Holy Ghost. Where these Forms are contended for by men, with respect unto their own use and practice only, as suitable to their Experience, and judged by them a serving of God with the best that they have; I shall not take the least notice of them, nor of any Dissent about them. But whereas a perswasion not only of their lawfulness but of their necessity is made use of unto other ends and purposes, wherein the Peace and Edification of Believers is highly concerned, it is necessary we should make some enquiry thereinto. I say it is only with respect unto such a sense of their nature, and necessity of their use, as give Occasion, or a supposed Advantage, unto men, to oppose, deny and speak evil, of that way of Prayer, with its Causes and Ends, which we have described, that is, that any way consider these