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

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,

3. That whilst these Forms of Prayer are clothed with the general notions of Prayer, that is, are esteemed as such in the minds of them that use them, are accompanied in their use with the Motives and Ends of Prayer, express no matter ⟨p. 232⟩unlawful to be insisted on in Prayer, directing the Souls of men to none but lawful Objects of Divine Worship and Prayer, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and whilst men make use of them with the true design of Prayer looking after due assistance unto Prayer, I do not judge there is any such evil in them as that God will not communicate his Spirit to any in the use of them, so as that they should have no holy Communion with him in and under them. Much less will I say that God never therein regards their Persons, or rejects their praying as unlawful. For the Persons and Duties of men may be accepted with God when they walk and act in sincerity according to their Light, though in many things, and those of no small importance, sundry irregularities are found both in what they do, and in the manner of doing it. Where Persons walk before God in their Integrity, and practise nothing contrary to their Light and conviction in his Worship, God is merciful unto them, although they order not every thing according to the Rule and measure of the Word. So was it with them who came to the Passover in the Days of Hezekiah; they had not cleansed themselves, but did eat the Passover otherwise than it