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

5. But yet the Advantage which all sorts of Persons may have hereby, in having the matter of Prayer prepared for them and suggested unto them, is also insisted on. This they may be much to seek in, who ⟨p. 226⟩yet have sincere desires to pray, and whose Affections will comply with what is proposed unto them. And this indeed would carry a great Appearance of Reason with it, but that there are other ways appointed of God unto this End; and which are sufficient thereunto, under the Guidance, conduct and assistance of the Blessed Spirit, whose Work must be admitted in all parts of this Duty, unless we intend to frame Prayers that shall be an abomination to the Lord. Such are mens diligent and sedulous consideration of themselves, their spiritual state and condition, their wants and desires; a diligent consideration of the Scripture, or the Doctrine of it in the Ministry of the Word, whereby they will be both instructed in the whole matter of Prayer, and convinced of their own concernment therein, with all other Helps of coming to the knowledge of God and themselves; all which they are to attend unto, who intend to pray in a due manner. To furnish men with Prayers to be said by them, and so to satisfy their Consciences whilst they live in the neglect of these things, is to deceive them, and not to help or instruct them. And if they do conscientiously attend unto these things, they will have no need of those other pretended ⟨p. 227⟩helps. For men to live and converse with the World, not once enquiring into their own ways, or reflecting on their own hearts (unless under some charge of Conscience accompanied with fear or danger,) never endeavouring to examine, try or compare their state and condition with the Scripture, nor scarce considering either their own wants or Gods Promises, to have a Book lye ready for them wherein they may read a Prayer, and so suppose they have discharged their Duty in that matter, is a course which surely they ought not to be countenanced or encouraged in. Nor is the perpetual Rotation of the same words and Expressions, suited to instruct or carry on men in the knowledge of any thing, but rather to divert the mind from the due consideration of the things intended, and therefore commonly issues in Formality.

5. But yet the Advantage which all sorts of Persons may have hereby, in having the matter of Prayer prepared for them and suggested unto them, is also insisted on. This they may be much to seek in, who