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

THE Works of the Spirit of God towards Believers, are either general and not confined with a respect unto any one Duty more than another; or particular, with respect ⟨p. 2⟩unto some especial Duty. Of the first sort are, Regeneration and Sanctification, which being common unto them all, are the general Principles of all actings of Grace or particular Duties, in them. But there are moreover sundry especial Works or Operations of this holy Spirit in and towards the Disciples of Christ, which although they may be reduced unto the general head of Sanctification, yet they fall under an especial consideration proper unto themselves; of this sort is the Aid or Assistance which he gives unto us, in our Prayers and Supplications.

I suppose it will be granted that Prayer in the whole compass and extent of it, as, comprising Meditation, Supplication, Praise, and Thanksgiving, is one of the most signal Duties of Religion. The Light of nature in its most pregnant notions, with its practical Language in the Consciences of mankind, concur in their suffrage with the Scripture in this matter. For they both of them jointly witness that it is not only an important Duty in Religion, but also that without it, there neither is nor can be the exercise of any Religion in the world. Never any Persons lived in the acknowledgement of a Deity, but under the conduct of the same apprehension, they thought the duty ⟨p. 3⟩of Vows, Prayers and Praises incumbent on them as they found occasion. Yea although they found out external Ceremonious ways of solemnizing their Devotions, yet it was this Duty of Prayer alone, which was their Natural, Necessary, fundamental Acknowledgement of that divine Being which they did own. Neither are there any considerable stories extant recording the monuments of the ancient Heathen Nations of the World, wherein (to the shame of degenerate Christianity it may be spoken) there are not more frequent accounts given of their sacred Invocations and Supplications unto their supposed Gods, than are to be found in any of the Historical Monuments and stories concerning the Actions of Christian Nations in these latter Ages. This therefore is the most natural and most eminent way and means of our Converse with God, without which converse we have no present advantage above the beasts that perish; but such as will turn unto our eternal disadvantage in that misery whereof they are uncapable. This is the way whereby we exercise towards him all that Grace which we do receive from him; and render him an acceptable acknowledgement of that Homage and Revenue of Glory, which