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

All and every one of the Precedents or Examples which we have in the whole Scripture of the Prayers of any of the People of God, Men or Women, being all accommodated to their present occasions, and uttered in the Freedom of their own Spirits, do all give Testimony unto free Prayer, if not against the use of Forms in that Duty.

2. Moreover, it seems that when any ⟨p. 239⟩one prayeth, his Prayer is a Form unto all that join with him, whether in Families or Church-Assemblies; which some lay great weight upon, though I am not able to discern the Force of it in this case. For (1.) The question is solely about him that prayeth and his discharge of Duty according to the mind of God, and not concerning them who join with him. (2.) The conjunction of others with him that prayeth according to his Ability, is an express command of God. (3.) Those who so join are at Liberty when it is their Duty to pray themselves. (4.) That which is not a Form in it self, is not a Form to any; for there is more required to make it so, than merely that the words and Expressions are not of their own present Invention. It is to them, the Benefit of a Gift bestowed for their Edification in its present Exercise according to the Mind of God. That only is a Form of Prayer unto any, which he himself useth as a Form; for its nature depends on its use. (5.) The Argument is incogent; God hath commanded some to pray according to the Ability they have received, and others to join with them therein; therefore it is lawful to invent Forms of Prayer for our selves or others to be used as Prayers by them or us.

2. Moreover, it seems that when any ⟨p. 239⟩one prayeth, his Prayer is a Form unto all that join with him, whether in Families or Church-Assemblies; which some lay great weight upon, though I am not able to discern the Force of it in this case. For (1.) The question is solely about him that prayeth and his discharge of Duty according to the mind of God, and not concerning them who join with him. (2.) The conjunction of others with him that prayeth according to his Ability, is an express command of God. (3.) Those who so join are at Liberty when it is their Duty to pray themselves. (4.) That which is not a Form in it self, is not a Form to any; for there is more required to make it so, than meerly that the words and Expressions are not of their own present Invention. It is to them, the Benefit of a Gift bestowed for their Edification in its present Exercise according to the Mind of God. That only is a Form of Prayer unto any, which he himself useth as a Form; for its nature depends on its use. (5.) The Argument is incogent; God hath commanded some to pray according to the Ability they have received, and others to join with them therein; therefore it is lawful to invent Forms of Prayer for our selves or others to be used as Prayers by them or us.