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

3. As there is no Assistance promised unto the composition of such Forms, so it is no institution of the Law or Gospel. Prayer it self, is a Duty of the Law of Nature, and being of such singular and indispensable use unto all Persons, the Commands for it are reiterated in the Scripture, beyond those concerning any other particular Duty whatever. And if it hath respect ⟨p. 220⟩unto Jesus Christ with sundry Ordinances of the Gospel, to be performed in his name, it falls under a New Divine Institution. Hereon are Commands given us to pray, to pray continually without ceasing, to pray and faint not, to pray for our selves, to pray for one another, in our Closets, in our Families, in the Assemblies of the Church. But as for this Work, of making or composing Forms of Prayers for our selves to be used as Prayers, there is no Command, no Institution, no mention in the Scriptures of the Old Testament or the New. It is a Work of Humane Extract and Original, nor can any thing be expected from it, but what proceeds from that fountain. A Blessing possibly there may be upon it, but not such as issueth from the especial Assistance of the Spirit of God in it, nor from any Divine Appointment or Institution whatever. But the Reader must observe, that I do not urge these things to prove Forms of Prayer Unlawful to be used, but only at present declare their Nature and Original, with respect unto that Work of the Holy Spirit, which we have described.

3. As there is no Assistance promised unto the composition of such Forms, so it is no institution of the Law or Gospel. Prayer it self, is a Duty of the Law of Nature, and being of such singular and indispensible use unto all Persons, the Commands for it are reiterated in the Scripture, beyond those concerning any other particular Duty whatever. And if it hath respect ⟨p. 220⟩unto Jesus Christ with sundry Ordinances of the Gospel, to be performed in his name, it falls under a New Divine Institution. Hereon are Commands given us to pray, to pray continually without ceasing, to pray and faint not, to pray for our selves, to pray for one another, in our Closets, in our Families, in the Assemblies of the Church. But as for this Work, of making or composing Forms of Prayers for our selves to be used as Prayers, there is no Command, no Institution, no mention in the Scriptures of the Old Testament or the New. It is a Work of Humane Extract and Original, nor can any thing be expected from it, but what proceeds from that fountain. A Blessing possibly there may be upon it, but not such as issueth from the especial Assistance of the Spirit of God in it, nor from any Divine Appointment or Institution whatever. But the Reader must observe, that I do not urge these things to prove Forms of Prayer Unlawful to be used, but only at present declare their Nature and Original, with respect unto that Work of the Holy Spirit, which we have described.