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

3. To set up and prescribe the use of such Forms universally in opposition and unto the Exclusion of free Prayer by the Aid of the Spirit of Grace, is contrary not only to many Divine precepts before insisted on, but to the Light of nature it self requiring every man to pray, and on some occasions necessitating them thereunto. But whatever be the practice of some men, I know not that any such Opinion is pleaded for, and so shall not farther oppose it.

4. It is not enquired whether Forms of Prayer, especially as they may be designed unto and used for other Ends and not to be read instead of Prayer, have in their Composition any thing of intrinsical evil in them; for it is granted they have not: But the Enquiry is, whether in their use as Prayers they are not hindrances unto the right discharge of the Duty of Prayer according to the mind of God, and so may ⟨p. 236⟩be unlawful in that respect. For I take it as granted that they are no where appointed of God for such an Use, no where commanded so to be used; whence an argument may be formed against their having any Interest in Divine acceptable Worship, but it is not of our present Consideration. For if on the accounts mentioned, they appear not contrary unto, or inconsistent with, or are not used in a way exclusive of that Work of the Holy Spirit in Prayer which we have described from the Scripture, nor are reducible unto any Divine prohibition, whilst I may enjoy my own Liberty, I shall not contend with any about them. Nor shall I now engage into the Examination of the Arguments that are pleaded in their behalf, which some have greatly multiplied, as I suppose, not much to the Advantage of their cause. For in things of Religious Practice one Testimony of Scripture rightly explained and applied, with the Experience of Believers thereon, is of more weight and value than a thousand dubious Reasonings, which cannot be evidently resolved into those Principles. Wherefore some few additional Considerations shall put an issue unto this Discourse.

4. It is not enquired whether Forms of Prayer, especially as they may be designed unto and used for other Ends and not to be read instead of Prayer, have in their Composition any thing of intrinsecal evil in them; for it is granted they have not: But the Enquiry is, whether in their use as Prayers they are not hindrances unto the right discharge of the Duty of Prayer according to the mind of God, and so may