Of what use forms of prayer may be unto those that are not re- generate, and have not, therefore, received the Spirit of adoption, belongs not directly unto our disquisition ; yet I must say that I understand not clearly the advantage of them unto them, unless a contrivance to relieve them in that condition, without a due endea- vour after a deliverance from it, may be so esteemed. For these persons are of two sorts: — (1.) Such as are openly under the power of sin, their minds being not effectually influenced by any convic- tions. These seldom pray, unless it be under dangers, fears, troubles, pains, or other distresses. When they are smitten they will cry, " even to the Lord they will cry/' and not else; and their design is to treat about their especial occasions, and the present sense which they have thereof. And how can any man conceive that they should be supplied with forms of prayer expressing their sense, conceptions, and affections, in their particular cases? And how ridiculously they may mistake themselves in reading those prayers which are no way suited unto their condition, is easily supposed. A form to such per- sons may prove little better than a charm, and their minds be di- verted by it from such a performance of duty as the light of nature would direct to. Jonah's mariners in the storm " cried every one unto his god," and called on him also to do so too, chap. i. 5, 6. The substance of their prayer was, that God would " think upon them, that they might not perish." And men in such condition, if not diverted by this pretended relief, which indeed is none, will not want words to express their minds, so far as there is any thing of prayer in what they do; and beyond that, whatever words they are supplied withal, they are of no use or advantage unto them. And it is possible when they are left to work naturally towards God, how- ever unskilled and rude their expressions may be, a deep sense may be left upon their minds, with a reverence of God, and remembrance of their own error, which may be of use to them. But the bound- ing and directing of the workings of natural religion by a form of words, perhaps little suited unto their occasions and not at all to their affections, tends only to stifle the operation of an awaken- ed conscience, and to give them up unto their former security. (2.) Others there are, such as by education and the power of con- victions from the word, by one means or other, are so far brought under a sense of the authority of God and their own duty as consci- entiously, according unto their light, to attend unto prayer, as unto
CHAP. VIII.] THE DUTY OF EXTERNAL PRAYER. 801
other duties also. Now, the case of these men will be more fully determined afterward, when the whole use of the forms of prayer will be spoken unto. For the present I shall only say, that I caunot believe, until farther conviction, that any one whose duty it is to pray is not able to express his requests and petitions in words, so far as he is affected with the matter of them in his mind ; and what he doth by any advantage beyond that belongeth not to prayer. Men may, by sloth, and other vicious distempers of mind, especially by a negligence in getting their hearts and consciences duly affected with the matter and object of prayer, keep themselves under a real or supposed disability in this matter; but whereas prayer in this sort of persons is an effect of common illumination and grace, which are also from the Spirit of God, if persons do really and sincerely endea- vour a due sense of what they pray for and about, he will not be wanting to help them to express themselves so far as is necessary for them, either privately or in their families. But those who will never enter the water but with flags or bladders under them will scarce ever learn to swim ; and it cannot be denied but that the constant and unvaried use of set forms of prayer may become a great occasion of quenching the Spirit, and hindering all progress or growth in gifts or graces. When every one hath done what he can, it is his best, and will be accepted of him, it being according unto what he hath, before that which is none of his.
CHAPTER VIII.
The duty of external prayer by virtue of a. spiritual gift explained and vindicated.
What we have hitherto discoursed concerning the work of the Spirit of grace and supplication enabling believers to pray, or to cry "Abba, Father/' belongeth principally unto the internal, spiritual na- ture of the duty, and the exercise of grace therein, wherein we have occasionally only diverted unto the consideration of the interest of words, and the use of set forms, either freely or imposed. And, indeed, what hath been evinced from Scripture testimony herein doth upon the matter render all farther dispute about these things needless; for if the things mentioned be required unto all acceptable prayer, and if they are truly effected in the minds of all believers by the Holy Ghost, it is evident how little use there remains of such pre- tended aids.