But yet neither do I conclude from hence that all such forms are unlawful; only, that another way of praying is here enjoined us is, I suppose, unquestionable unto all impartial searchers after truth ; and, doubtless, they are not to be blamed who endeavour a compli- ance therewith. And if persons are able, in the daily, constant read- ing of any book whatever, merely of a human composition, to rise up in answer to this duty of " praying always with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit," or the exercise of the aid and assist- ance received from him, and his holy acting of them as a Spirit of grace and supplication, endeavouring, labouring, and watching there- unto, I shall say no more but that they have attained what I cannot understand.
The sole inquiry remaining is, how they are enabled to pray in whose minds the Holy Ghost doth thus work as a Spirit of grace and supplication. And I do say, in answer thereunto, that those who are thus affected by him do never want a gracious ability of making their addresses unto God in vocal prayer, so far as is needful unto them in their circumstances, callings, states, and conditions. And this is that which is called the gift of prayer. I speak of ordinary cases; for there may be such interpositions of temptations and de- sertions as that the soul, being overwhelmed with them, may for the present be able only to " mourn as a dove," or to " chatter as a crane," — that is, not to express the sense of their minds clearly and distinctly, but only as it were to mourn and groan before the Lord in broken-
CHAP. VII.] FORMS OF PRAYER AND VOCAL PRAYER. 299
ness of spirit and expressions. But this also is sufficient for their acceptance in that condition; and hereof there are few believers but at one time or other they have more or less experience. And as for those whose devotion dischargeth itself in a formal course of the same words, as it must needs be in the Papacy, wherein for the most part they understand not the signification of the words which they make use of, they are strangers unto the true nature of prayer, at least unto the work of the Spirit therein. And such supplica- tions as are not variously influenced by the variety of the spiritual conditions of them that make them, according to the variety of our spiritual exercises, are like one constant tone or noise, which hath no harmony nor music in it.
I say, therefore, — 1. That the things insisted on are in some de- gree and measure necessary unto all acceptable prayer. The Scrip- ture assigns them thereunto, and believers find them so by their own experience. For we discourse not about prayer as it is the working of nature in its straits and difficulties towards the God of nature, ex- pressing thereby its dependence on- him, with an acknowledgment of his power, in which sense all flesh, in one way or other, under one notion or other, come to God ; nor yet upon those cries which legal convictions will wrest from them that fall under their power: but we treat only of prayer as it is required of believers under the gospel, as they have an " access through Christ by one Spirit unto the Father." And, 2. That those in whom this work is wrought by the Holy Spirit in any degree do not, in ordinary cases, want an ability to express themselves in this duty, so far as is needful for them. It is acknowledged that an ability herein will be greatly increased and improved by exercise, and that not only because the exercise of all moral faculties is the genuine way of their strengthening and im- provement, but principally because it is instituted, appointed, and commanded of God unto that end. God hath designed the exercise of grace for the means of its growth, and giveth his blessing in answer to his institution. But the nature of the thing itself requires a per- formance of the duty suitably unto the condition of him that is called unto it; and if men grow not up unto farther degrees in that abi- lity by exercise in the duty itself, by stirring up the gifts and graces of God in them, it is their sin and folly. And hence it follows, 3. That although set forms of prayer may be lawful unto some, as is pretended, yet are they necessary unto none, that is, unto no true believers, as unto acceptable, evangelical prayer; but whoever is made partaker of the work of the Spirit of God herein, which he doth infallibly effect in every one who through him is enabled to cry, " Abba, Father," as every child of God is, he will be able to pray according to the mind and will of God, if he neglect not the
SOO WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PRAYER. [BOOK VII.
aid and assistance offered unto him for that purpose. Wherefore, to plead for the necessity of forms of prayer unto believers, beyond what may be doctrinal or instructive in them, is a fruit of inclination unto parties, or of ignorance, or of the want of a due attendance unto their own experience.