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

and unless men do know how really to distinguish between these things, it is to no purpose to plead Spiritual Benefit and Advantage in the use of ⟨p. 231⟩such Forms, seeing possibly it may be no other, but of the same kind with what all false Worshippers in the World have or may have Experience of.

2. Let them diligently enquire whether the effects on their Hearts which they plead, do not proceed from a precedent preparation, a good design, and upright Ends occasionally excited. Let it be supposed, that those who thus make use of, and plead for Forms of Prayer especially in public, do in a due manner prepare themselves for it by Holy Meditation, with an endeavour to bring their Souls into an holy Frame of Fear, Delight and Reverence of God; let it also be supposed that they have a good End and design in the Worship they address themselves unto, namely the Glory of God, and their own spiritual Advantage; the Prayers themselves, though they should be in some things irregular, may give occasion to exercise those Acts of Grace which they were otherwise prepared for. And I say yet farther,

2. Let them diligently enquire whether the effects on their Hearts which they plead, do not proceed from a precedent preparation, a good design, and upright Ends occasionally excited. Let it be supposed, that those who thus make use of, and plead for Forms of Prayer especially in publick, do in a due manner prepare themselves for it by Holy Meditation, with an endeavour to bring their Souls into an holy Frame of Fear, Delight and Reverence of God; let it also be supposed that they have a good End and design in the Worship they address themselves unto, namely the Glory of God, and their own spiritual Advantage; the Prayers themselves, though they should be in some things irregular, may give occasion to exercise those Acts of Grace which they were otherwise prepared for. And I say yet farther,