CHAP. XI.] PRESCRIBED FORMS OF PRAYER EXAMINED. 345
surely they ought not to he countenanced or encouraged in. Nor is the perpetual rotation of the same words and expressions suited to instruct or carry on men in the knowledge of any thing, but rather to divert the mind from the due consideration of the things intended ; and, therefore, commonly issues in formality. And where men have words or expressions prepared for them and suggested unto them that really signify the things wherein they are concerned, yet if the light and knowledge of those principles of truth whence they are derived, and whereinto they are resolved, be not in some measure fixed and abiding in their minds, they cannot be much benefited or edified by their repetition.
6. Experience is pleaded in the same case; and this with me, where persons are evidently conscientious, is of more moment than a hundred notional arguments that cannot be brought to that trial. Some, therefore, say that they have had spiritual advantage, the ex- ercise of grace, and holy intercourse with God, in the use of such forms, and have their affections warmed and their hearts much bet- tered thereby ; — and this they take to be a clear evidence and token that they are not disapproved of God ; yea, that they are a great ad- vantage, at least unto many, in prayer. Ans. Whether they are ap- proved or disapproved of God, whether they are lawful or unlawful, we do not consider; but only whether they are for spiritual benefit and advantage, for the good of our own souls and the edification of others, as set up in competition with the exercise of the gift before described. And herein I am very unwilling to oppose the experience of any one who seems to be under the conduct of the least beam of gospel light ; only, I shall desire to propose some few things to their consideration: as, —
(1.) Whether they understand aright the difference that is between natural devotion occasionally excited, and the due actings of evan- gelical faith and love, with other graces of the Spirit, in a way directed unto by divine appointment? All men who acknowledge a Deity or Divine Power which they adore, when they address them- selves seriously to perform any religious worship thereunto in their own way, be it what it will, will have their affections moved and ex- cited suitably unto the apprehensions they have of what they wor- ship, yea, though in particular it have no existence but in their own imaginations ; for these things ensue on the general notion of a Divine Power, and not on the application of them to such idols as indeed are nothing in the world. There will be in such persons dread, and reverence, and fear, as there was in some of the heathen, unto an unspeakable horror, when they entered into the temples and merely imaginary presence of their gods; the whole work being begun and finished in their fancies. And sometimes great joys, satisfactions,
346 WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PRAYER. [BOOK VII.
and delights, do ensue on what they do ; for as what they so do is suited to the best light they have, and men are apt to have a com- placency in their own inventions, as Micah had, Judges xvii. 13, and upon inveterate prejudices, which are the guides of most men in re- ligion, their consciences find relief in the discharge of their duty. These things, I say, are found in persons of the highest and most dreadful superstitions in the world, yea, heightened unto inexpres- sible agitations of mind, in horror on the one side, and raptures or ecstasies on the other. And they are all tempered arid qualified according to the mode and way of worship wherein men are engaged; but in themselves they are all of the same nature, — that is, natural, or effects and impressions upon nature. So it is with the Moham- medans, who excel in this devotion; and so it is with idolatrous Christians, who place the excellency and glory of their profession herein. Wherefore, such devotion, such affections, will be excited by religious offices, in all that are sincere in their use, whether they be of divine appointment or no. But the actings of faith and love on God through Christ, according to the gospel, or the tenor of the new covenant, with the effects produced thereby in the heart and affec- tions, are things quite of another kind and nature ; and unless men do know how really to distinguish between these things, it is to no pur- pose to plead spiritual benefit and advantage in the use of such forms, seeing possibly it may be no other but of the same kind with what all false worshippers in the world have, or may have, experience of.
(2.) Let them diligently inquire whether the effects on their hearts which they plead do not proceed from a precedent preparation, a good design and upright ends, occasionally excited. Let it be supposed that those who thus make use of and plead for forms of prayer, especially in public, do in a due manner prepare themselves for it by holy meditation, with an endeavour to bring their souls into a holy frame of fear, delight, and reverence of God; let it also be supposed that they have a good end and design in the worship they address themselves unto, namely, the glory of God and their own spi- ritual advantage ; — the prayers themselves, though they should be in some things irregular, may give occasion to exercise those acts of grace which they were otherwise prepared for. And I say yet farther, —