I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also, or, A discourse touching prayer, from I Cor. 14.15 wherein is briefly discovered 1. What prayer is, 2. What it is to pray with the spirit, 3. What it is to pray with the spirit and with the understanding also / by John Bunyan.
         Bunyan, John, 1628-1688.
      
       
         
           1663
        
      
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             I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also, or, A discourse touching prayer, from I Cor. 14.15 wherein is briefly discovered 1. What prayer is, 2. What it is to pray with the spirit, 3. What it is to pray with the spirit and with the understanding also / by John Bunyan.
             Bunyan, John, 1628-1688.
          
           
             The second edition.
          
           [4], 117 p.
           
             Printed for the author,
             London :
             [1663]
          
           
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             Imperfect: pages torn and tightly bound, with loss of print.
             Reproduction of original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Prayer -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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             I
             will
             pray
             with
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             pray
             with
             the
             Understanding
             also
             :
          
           OR
           ,
           A
           DISCOVRSE
           Touching
           PRAYER
           .
        
         
           From
           1
           Cor.
           14.
           15.
           
           Wherein
           is
           briefly
           discovered
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           VVhat
           PRAYER
           is
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           What
           it
           is
           to
           pray
           with
           the
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           What
           it
           is
           to
           pray
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           Understanding
           also
           .
        
         
           By
           JOHN
           BUNYAN
           .
        
         
           
             The
             Second
             Edition
          
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           we
           know
           not
           what
           we
           should
           pray
           for
           as
           we
           ought
           ;
           onely
           the
           Spirit
           helpeth
           our
           infirmities
           ,
           
             Rom.
             8.
             26.
             
          
        
         
           London
           ,
           Printed
           for
           the
           Author
           ,
           1663.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           I
           will
           pray
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           I
           will
           pray
           with
           the
           understanding
           also
           .
        
         
           PRAYER
           is
           an
           Ordinance
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           to
           be
           used
           both
           in
           Publick
           and
           Private
           ;
           yea
           ,
           such
           an
           Ordinance
           ,
           as
           brings
           those
           that
           have
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Supplication
           ,
           into
           great
           familiarity
           with
           God
           ;
           and
           is
           also
           so
           prevalent
           an
           action
           ,
           that
           it
           getteth
           of
           God
           ,
           both
           for
           the
           person
           that
           prayeth
           ,
           and
           for
           them
           that
           are
           prayed
           for
           ,
           great
           things
           .
           It
           is
           the
           opener
           of
           the
           heart
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           a
           means
           by
           which
           the
           soul
           ,
           though
           empty
           ,
           is
           filled
           .
           By
           Prayer
           the
           Christian
           can
           open
           his
           heart
           to
           God
           as
           to
           a
           Friend
           ,
           and
           obtain
           fresh
           testimony
           of
           God's
           Friendship
           to
           him
           .
           I
           might
           spend
           many
           words
           in
           distinguishing
           between
           publick
           and
           private
           Prayer
           ;
           as
           also
           between
           that
           
           in
           the
           Heart
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           the
           vocal
           Voice
           :
           Something
           also
           might
           be
           spoken
           to
           distinguish
           between
           the
           Gifts
           and
           Graces
           of
           Prayer
           ;
           but
           eschewing
           this
           method
           ,
           my
           business
           shall
           be
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           only
           to
           shew
           you
           the
           very
           heart
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           without
           which
           all
           your
           lifting
           up
           ,
           both
           of
           hands
           ,
           and
           eyes
           ,
           and
           voices
           ,
           will
           be
           to
           no
           purpose
           at
           all
           .
           
             I
             will
             pray
             with
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
        
         
           The
           method
           that
           I
           shall
           go
           in
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           shall
           be
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           To
           shew
           you
           what
           true
           Prayer
           is
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           To
           shew
           you
           what
           it
           is
           to
           pray
           with
           the
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           What
           it
           is
           to
           pray
           with
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           Understanding
           also
           .
        
         
           And
           so
           ,
           fourthly
           ,
           to
           make
           some
           short
           Use
           and
           Application
           of
           what
           shall
           be
           spoken
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             What
             Prayer
             is
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             first
             ,
             What
             Prayer
             is
             .
          
           
             Prayer
             is
             a
             sincere
             ,
             sensible
             ,
             affectionate
             pouring
             out
             of
             the
             heart
             or
             soul
             
             to
             God
             through
             Christ
             ,
             in
             the
             strength
             and
             assistance
             of
             the
             holy
             Spirit
             ,
             for
             such
             things
             as
             God
             hath
             promised
             ,
             or
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Word
             ,
             for
             the
             good
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             with
             submission
             ,
             in
             Faith
             ,
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             In
             this
             Description
             are
             these
             seven
             things
             .
          
           
             
               1.
               
               It
               is
               a
               sincere
               ,
            
             
               2.
               
               A
               sensible
               ,
            
             
               3.
               
               An
               affectionate
               pouring
               out
               of
               the
               soul
               to
               God
               through
               Christ
               ,
            
             
               4.
               
               By
               the
               strength
               or
               assistance
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
            
             
               5.
               
               For
               such
               things
               as
               God
               hath
               promised
               ,
               or
               ,
               according
               to
               his
               Word
               ,
            
             
               6.
               
               For
               the
               good
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
            
             
               7.
               
               With
               submission
               in
               Faith
               to
               the
               Will
               of
               God.
               
            
          
           
             For
             the
             First
             of
             these
             ,
             
               It
               is
               a
               sincere
            
             pouring
             out
             of
             the
             soul
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             Sincerity
             is
             such
             a
             Grace
             as
             runs
             through
             all
             the
             Graces
             of
             God
             in
             us
             ,
             and
             through
             all
             the
             actings
             of
             a
             Christian
             ,
             and
             hath
             the
             sway
             in
             them
             too
             ,
             or
             else
             their
             actings
             are
             not
             any
             thing
             
             regarded
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             so
             of
             &
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             of
             which
             particularly
             David
             speaketh
             ,
             when
             he
             mentioneth
             Prayer
             ,
             Psal.
             66.
             17
             ,
             18.
             
             
               I
               cryed
               unto
               the
               Lord
               with
               my
               mouth
               ,
               &
               he
               was
               extolled
               with
               my
               tongue
               .
               If
               I
               regard
               iniquity
               in
               my
               heart
               ,
               the
               Lord
               will
               not
               hear
               my
               prayer
               ,
            
             Psal.
             17.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
             Part
             of
             the
             exercise
             of
             Prayer
             is
             sincerity
             ,
             without
             which
             God
             looks
             not
             upon
             it
             as
             Prayer
             in
             a
             good
             sense
             :
             
               Then
               shall
               you
               seek
               me
               and
               find
               me
               ,
               when
               you
               shall
               search
               for
               me
               with
               your
               whole
               heart
               ,
            
             Jer.
             29.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             The
             want
             of
             this
             made
             the
             Lord
             reject
             their
             prayers
             in
             Hos.
             7.
             14.
             where
             he
             saith
             ,
             
               They
               have
               not
               cryed
               unto
               me
               with
               their
               heart
            
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             in
             sincerity
             )
             
               when
               they
               howled
               upon
               their
               beds
               .
            
             But
             for
             a
             pretence
             ,
             for
             a
             shew
             in
             hypocrisie
             ,
             to
             be
             seen
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             applauded
             for
             the
             same
             ,
             they
             pray
             .
          
           
             Sincerity
             was
             that
             which
             Christ
             commended
             in
             Nathaniel
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             under
             the
             fig-tree
             ;
             
               Behold
               an
               Israelite
               indeed
               ,
               in
               whom
               there
               is
               no
               guile
               .
            
             Probably
             this
             good
             man
             was
             pouring
             out
             of
             
             his
             soul
             to
             God
             in
             Prayer
             under
             the
             fig-tree
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             a
             sincere
             and
             unfained
             spirit
             before
             the
             Lord.
             The
             Prayer
             that
             hath
             this
             in
             it
             ,
             as
             one
             of
             the
             principal
             ingredients
             ,
             is
             the
             Prayer
             that
             God
             looks
             at
             .
             Thus
             ,
             
               the
               Prayer
               of
               the
               Upright
               is
               his
               delight
               ,
            
             Prov.
             15.
             8.
             
          
           
             And
             why
             must
             Sincerity
             be
             one
             of
             the
             essentials
             of
             Prayer
             which
             is
             accepted
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             because
             sincerity
             carries
             the
             soul
             in
             all
             simplicity
             to
             open
             its
             heart
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             tell
             him
             the
             case
             plainly
             without
             equivocation
             ;
             to
             condemn
             it self
             plainly
             without
             dissembling
             ;
             to
             cry
             to
             God
             heartily
             without
             complementing
             .
             
               I
               have
               surely
               heard
            
             Ephraim
             
               bemoning
               himself
               thus
               :
               Thou
               hast
               chastized
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               was
               chastized
               ,
               as
               a
               bullock
               unaccustommed
               to
               the
               yoak
               ,
            
             Jer.
             31.
             18.
             
             Sincerity
             is
             the
             same
             in
             a
             corner
             alone
             as
             it
             is
             before
             the
             face
             of
             all
             the
             world
             .
             It
             knows
             not
             how
             to
             wear
             two
             vizards
             ,
             one
             for
             an
             appearance
             before
             men
             ,
             and
             another
             for
             a
             short
             snatch
             in
             a
             corner
             ;
             but
             it
             must
             have
             God
             ,
             and
             be
             with
             him
             in
             the
             duty
             of
             Prayer
             .
             It
             is
             not
             a
             lip-labour
             
             that
             it
             doth
             regard
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             the
             heart
             that
             God
             looks
             at
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             sincerity
             looks
             at
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             Prayer
             comes
             from
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             that
             Prayer
             which
             is
             accompanied
             with
             sincerity
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             It
             is
             a
             sincere
             
               and
               sensible
            
             pouring
             out
             of
             the
             heart
             or
             soul.
             It
             is
             not
             ,
             as
             many
             take
             it
             to
             be
             ,
             even
             a
             few
             babling
             ,
             prating
             ,
             complementory
             expressions
             ,
             but
             a
             
               sensible
               feeling
            
             there
             is
             in
             the
             heart
             .
             Prayer
             hath
             in
             it
             a
             sensibleness
             of
             divers
             things
             :
             Sometimes
             sence
             of
             sin
             ,
             sometimes
             of
             mercy
             received
             ,
             sometimes
             of
             the
             readiness
             of
             God
             to
             give
             mercy
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             First
             ,
             a
             sence
             of
             the
             want
             of
             mercy
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             danger
             of
             sin
             .
             The
             soul
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             feels
             ,
             and
             from
             feeling
             ,
             sighs
             ,
             groans
             ,
             and
             breaks
             at
             the
             heart
             .
             For
             right
             Prayer
             bubleth
             out
             of
             the
             heart
             when
             it
             is
             over-pressed
             with
             grief
             and
             bitterness
             ,
             as
             blood
             is
             forced
             out
             of
             the
             flesh
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             some
             heavy
             burthen
             that
             lyeth
             upon
             it
             ,
             1
             Sam.
             1.
             10.
             
             David
             roars
             ,
             cryes
             ,
             weeps
             ,
             faints
             at
             the
             heart
             ,
             fails
             at
             the
             eyes
             ,
             loseth
             
             his
             moisture
             ,
             &c.
             Psal.
             69.
             3.
             
             &
             38.
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10.
             
             Hezekiah
             mourns
             like
             a
             dove
             ,
             Isa.
             38.
             14.
             
             Ephraim
             bemoans
             himself
             ,
             Jer.
             31.
             18.
             
             Peter
             weeps
             bitterly
             ,
             Mat.
             26.
             57.
             
             Christ
             hath
             (
             Heb.
             5.
             7.
             
             )
             strong
             cryings
             and
             tears
             ;
             and
             all
             this
             from
             a
             sence
             of
             the
             justice
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             guilt
             of
             sin
             ,
             the
             pains
             of
             Hell
             and
             destruction
             .
             
               The
               sorrows
               of
               Death
               compassed
               me
               about
               ,
               the
               pains
               of
               Hell
               got
               hold
               upon
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               found
               trouble
               and
               sorrow
               .
               Then
               cryed
               I
               unto
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             Psal.
             116.
             3
             ,
             4.
             
             And
             in
             another
             place
             ,
             Psal.
             77.
             2.
             
             
               My
               sore
               ran
               in
               the
               night
               .
            
             Again
             ,
             Psal.
             38.
             6.
             
             
               I
               am
               bowed
               down
               greatly
               ,
               I
               go
               mourning
               all
               the
               day
               long
               .
            
             In
             all
             these
             instances
             ,
             and
             in
             hundreds
             more
             that
             might
             be
             named
             ,
             you
             may
             see
             ,
             that
             Prayer
             carrieth
             it
             in
             a
             sensible
             feeling
             disposition
             ,
             and
             that
             first
             from
             a
             sence
             of
             sin
             .
          
           
             2dly
             ,
             Sometimes
             there
             is
             a
             sweet
             sence
             of
             mercy
             received
             ;
             encouraging
             ,
             comforting
             ,
             strengthening
             ,
             enlivening
             ,
             enlightening
             mercy
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Thus
             David
             pours
             out
             his
             soul
             to
             bless
             and
             praise
             ,
             and
             admire
             the
             great
             God
             
             for
             his
             loving
             kindness
             to
             such
             poor
             vile
             wretches
             .
             Psal.
             103.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             
               Bless
               the
               Lord
               ,
               O
               my
               soul
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               is
               within
               me
               bless
               his
               holy
               Name
               .
               Bless
               the
               Lord
               ,
               O
               my
               soul
               ,
               and
               forget
               not
               all
               his
               benefits
               .
               Who
               forgiveth
               all
               thine
               iniquities
               ,
               who
               healeth
               all
               thy
               diseases
               ,
               and
               crowneth
               thee
               with
               loving
               kindness
               and
               tender
               mercies
               ;
               who
               redeemeth
               thy
               life
               from
               destruction
               ,
               who
               satisfieth
               thy
               mouth
               with
               good
               things
               ,
               so
               that
               thy
               youth
               is
               renewed
               as
               the
               Eagles
               .
            
             And
             thus
             is
             the
             Prayer
             of
             Saints
             sometimes
             turned
             into
             praise
             and
             thanksgiving
             ,
             and
             yet
             are
             Prayers
             still
             .
          
           
             
               This
               is
               a
               Mystery
            
             ,
             God's
             people
             pray
             with
             their
             praises
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             written
             ,
             Phil.
             4.
             6.
             
             
               Be
               careful
               for
               nothing
               ,
               but
               in
               every
               thing
               by
               Prayer
               ,
               with
               supplication
               and
               thanksgiving
               ,
               let
               your
               requests
               be
               made
               known
               to
               God.
            
             A
             sensible
             thanksgiving
             for
             mercies
             received
             ,
             
               is
               a
               mighty
               Prayer
               in
               the
               sight
               of
               God
            
             ;
             it
             prevails
             with
             him
             unspeakably
             .
          
           
             3dly
             ,
             In
             Prayer
             ,
             there
             is
             sometimes
             in
             the
             soul
             ,
             a
             sence
             of
             Mercy
             to
             be
             received
             .
             This
             again
             sets
             the
             soul
             all
             on
             
             a
             flame
             .
             
               Thou
               ,
               O
               Lord
               God
            
             ,
             (
             saith
             David
             ,
             2
             Sam.
             7.
             27.
             
             )
             
               hast
               revealed
               unto
               thy
               Servant
               ,
               saying
               ,
               I
               will
               build
               thee
               an
               house
               ;
               therefore
               hath
               thy
               Servant
               found
               in
               his
               heart
               to
               pray
               unto
               thee
               .
            
          
           
             This
             provoked
             
               Jacob
               ,
               David
               ,
               Daniel
            
             ,
             with
             others
             ,
             even
             a
             sence
             of
             Mercies
             to
             be
             received
             ,
             as
             you
             may
             see
             ,
             Gen.
             32.
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11
             ,
             12.
             
             Dan.
             9.
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             which
             caused
             them
             ,
             not
             by
             fits
             and
             starts
             ,
             nor
             yet
             in
             a
             foolish
             frothy
             way
             to
             babble
             over
             a
             few
             words
             written
             in
             a
             paper
             ;
             but
             mightily
             ,
             fervently
             ,
             and
             continually
             ,
             to
             groan
             out
             their
             conditions
             before
             the
             Lord
             ,
             as
             being
             sensible
             ;
             sensible
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             of
             their
             wants
             ,
             their
             misery
             ,
             and
             the
             willingness
             of
             God
             to
             shew
             mercy
             .
          
           
             A
             good
             sence
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             the
             wrath
             of
             God
             ,
             with
             some
             encouragement
             from
             God
             to
             come
             unto
             him
             ,
             is
             a
             better
             Common
             Prayer-Book
             ,
             than
             that
             which
             is
             taken
             out
             of
             the
             Papistical
             *
             Mass-Book
             ;
             
             being
             the
             Scraps
             and
             Fragments
             of
             the
             devices
             of
             some
             Popes
             ,
             some
             Friars
             ,
             and
             I
             wot
             not
             what
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Prayer
             is
             a
             sincere
             ,
             sensible
             ,
             
               and
               an
               affectionate
            
             pouring
             out
             of
             the
             soul
             to
             God.
             O
             the
             heat
             ,
             strength
             ,
             life
             ,
             vigor
             ,
             and
             affection
             that
             is
             in
             right
             Prayer
             .
          
           
             
               As
               the
               heart
               panteth
               after
               the
               Water-brooks
               ,
               so
               longeth
               my
               soul
               after
               thee
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
            
             Psal.
             42.
             1.
             
             
               I
               have
               longed
               for
               thy
               Precepts
               ;
               I
               have
               longed
               after
               thy
               Salvation
               ,
            
             Psal.
             119.
             40.
             
             
               My
               soul
               longeth
               ,
               yea
               ,
               fainteth
               for
               the
               Courts
               of
               the
               Lord
               ;
               my
               heart
               and
               my
               flesh
               cryeth
               out
               for
               the
               living
               God
               ,
            
             Psal.
             84.
             2.
             
             
               My
               soul
               breaketh
               for
               the
               longing
               that
               it
               hath
               unto
               thy
               Judgements
               at
               all
               times
               ,
            
             Psal.
             119.
             20.
             
             Mark
             ye
             here
             ,
             
               My
               soul
               longeth
               ,
               it
               longeth
               ,
               it
               longeth
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             Oh
             what
             affection
             is
             here
             discovered
             in
             Prayer
             !
          
           
             The
             like
             you
             have
             in
             Daniel
             ,
             Dan.
             9.
             19.
             
             
               O
               Lord
               hear
               ,
               O
               Lord
               forgive
               ,
               O
               Lord
               hearken
               and
               do
               ;
               defer
               not
               for
               thy
               Names
               sake
               ,
               O
               my
               God.
            
             Every
             syllable
             carrieth
             a
             mighty
             vehemency
             in
             it
             .
          
           
           
             This
             is
             called
             the
             fervent
             ,
             or
             the
             working
             Prayer
             ,
             by
             James
             ,
             Jam.
             5.
             
             And
             so
             again
             ,
             Luke
             22.
             44.
             
             
               And
               being
               in
               an
               Agony
               ,
               he
               prayed
               more
               earnestly
            
             ;
             or
             had
             his
             affections
             more
             and
             more
             drawn
             out
             after
             God
             for
             his
             helping
             hand
             .
          
           
             Oh
             how
             wide
             are
             the
             most
             of
             men
             with
             their
             Prayers
             ,
             from
             this
             Prayer
             ,
             that
             is
             Prayer
             in
             God's
             account
             .
             Alas
             ,
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             men
             make
             no
             conscience
             at
             all
             of
             the
             duty
             ;
             and
             as
             for
             them
             that
             do
             ,
             it
             is
             to
             be
             feared
             ,
             that
             many
             of
             them
             are
             very
             great
             strangers
             to
             a
             sencere
             ,
             sensible
             ,
             and
             affectionate
             pouring
             out
             their
             hearts
             or
             souls
             to
             God
             ;
             but
             even
             content
             themselves
             with
             a
             little
             lip-labour
             ,
             &
             bodily
             exercise
             ,
             mumbling
             over
             a
             few
             imaginary
             Prayers
             .
          
           
             When
             the
             Affections
             are
             indeed
             engaged
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             then
             ,
             then
             the
             whole
             man
             is
             engaged
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             such
             sort
             ,
             that
             the
             soul
             will
             spend
             it self
             to
             nothing
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             rather
             than
             it
             will
             go
             without
             that
             good
             desired
             ,
             even
             communion
             and
             solace
             with
             Christ.
             And
             hence
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             the
             Saints
             have
             spent
             
             their
             strengths
             ,
             and
             lost
             their
             lives
             ,
             rather
             than
             go
             without
             the
             blessing
             ,
             Psal.
             69.
             3.
             
             Psal.
             38.
             9
             ,
             10.
             
             Gen.
             32.
             24
             ,
             25
             ,
             26.
             
          
           
             All
             this
             is
             too
             too
             evident
             by
             the
             ignorance
             ,
             prophaness
             ,
             and
             spirit
             of
             envy
             ,
             that
             reigns
             in
             the
             hearts
             of
             those
             men
             that
             are
             so
             hot
             for
             the
             Forms
             ,
             and
             not
             the
             Power
             of
             prayer
             :
             Scarce
             one
             of
             forty
             among
             them
             ,
             know
             what
             it
             is
             to
             be
             born
             again
             ,
             to
             have
             communion
             with
             the
             Father
             through
             the
             Son
             ;
             to
             feel
             the
             power
             of
             Grace
             sanctifying
             their
             hearts
             :
             but
             for
             all
             their
             prayers
             ,
             they
             still
             live
             cursed
             ,
             drunken
             ,
             whorish
             ,
             and
             abominable
             Lives
             ,
             full
             of
             Malice
             ,
             Envy
             ,
             Deceit
             ,
             Persecuting
             of
             the
             dear
             Children
             of
             God.
             Oh
             what
             a
             dreadful
             after-clap
             is
             coming
             upon
             them
             !
             which
             all
             their
             hypocritical
             assembling
             themselves
             together
             ,
             with
             all
             their
             prayers
             ,
             shall
             never
             be
             able
             to
             help
             them
             against
             ,
             or
             shelter
             them
             from
             .
          
           
             Again
             ,
             
               It
               is
               a
               pouring
               out
               of
               the
               Heart
               or
               Soul
               :
            
             There
             is
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             an
             unbosoming
             of
             a
             man's
             self
             ,
             an
             opening
             of
             the
             Heart
             to
             God
             ,
             an
             affectionate
             pouring
             
             out
             of
             the
             Soul
             in
             requests
             ,
             sighs
             ,
             and
             groans
             .
             
               All
               my
               desires
               are
               before
               thee
            
             (
             saith
             David
             ,
             Psal.
             38.
             9.
             
             )
             
               my
               groanings
               are
               not
               hid
               from
               thee
               .
            
             And
             again
             ,
             
               My
               soul
               thirsteth
               for
               God
               ,
               even
               for
               the
               living
               God
               :
               When
               shall
               I
               come
               and
               appear
               before
               God
               ?
               When
               I
               remember
               these
               things
               ,
               I
               pour
               out
               my
               soul
               in
               me
               ,
            
             Psal.
             42.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             Mark
             ;
             I
             pour
             out
             my
             Soul
             :
             It
             is
             an
             Expression
             signifying
             ,
             that
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             there
             goeth
             the
             very
             life
             and
             whole
             strength
             to
             God.
             As
             in
             another
             place
             ,
             Psal.
             62.
             8.
             
             
               Trust
               in
               him
               at
               all
               times
               ,
               ye
               people
               ,
               pour
               out
               your
               hearts
               before
               him
               .
            
             This
             is
             the
             Prayer
             to
             which
             the
             Promise
             is
             made
             ,
             for
             the
             delivering
             of
             a
             poor
             Creature
             out
             of
             captivity
             and
             thraldom
             .
             
               If
               from
               thence
               thou
               shalt
               seek
               the
               Lord
               ,
               thou
               shalt
               find
               him
               ,
               if
               thou
               seekest
               him
               with
               all
               thy
               heart
               ,
               and
               with
               all
               thy
               soul
               ,
            
             Deut.
             4.
             29.
             
          
           
             Again
             ,
             It
             is
             a
             pouring
             out
             of
             the
             heart
             or
             soul
             
               to
               God.
            
             This
             sheweth
             also
             the
             Excellency
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             prayer
             :
             it
             is
             the
             great
             God
             to
             which
             it
             retires
             ;
             
               When
               shall
               I
               come
               and
               appear
               before
               God
               ?
            
             
             And
             it
             argueth
             ,
             that
             the
             Soul
             that
             thus
             prayeth
             indeed
             ,
             sees
             an
             emptiness
             in
             all
             things
             
               under
               heaven
            
             ;
             That
             in
             God
             alone
             there
             is
             rest
             and
             satisfaction
             for
             the
             Soul.
             
               Now
               she
               that
               is
               a
               Widow
               ,
               and
               desolate
               ,
               trusteth
               in
               God
               ,
            
             1
             Tim.
             5.
             5.
             
             So
             saith
             David
             ,
             
               In
               thee
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               do
               I
               put
               my
               trust
               ,
               let
               me
               never
               be
               put
               to
               confusion
               ;
               deliver
               me
               in
               thy
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               cause
               me
               to
               escape
               ;
               incline
               thine
               ear
               to
               me
               ,
               and
               save
               me
               :
               be
               thou
               my
               strong
               habitation
               ,
               whereunto
               I
               may
               continually
               resort
               :
               For
               thou
               art
               my
               rock
               and
               my
               fortress
               ;
               deliver
               me
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
               out
               of
               the
               hand
               of
               the
               unrighteous
               and
               cruel
               man
               :
               For
               thou
               art
               my
               hope
               ,
               O
               Lord
               my
               God
               ,
               thou
               art
               my
               trust
               from
               my
               mouth
               .
            
             Many
             in
             a
             wording
             way
             ,
             speak
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             right
             Prayer
             makes
             God
             his
             hope
             ,
             stay
             ,
             and
             all
             .
             Right
             Prayer
             sees
             nothing
             substantial
             ,
             &
             worth
             the
             looking
             after
             ,
             but
             God
             :
             And
             that
             (
             as
             I
             said
             before
             )
             it
             doth
             in
             a
             
               sincere
               ,
               sensible
               ,
               and
               affectionate
               way
               .
            
          
           
             Again
             ,
             It
             is
             a
             sincere
             ,
             sensible
             ,
             affectionate
             pouring
             out
             of
             the
             heart
             ,
             or
             soul
             to
             God
             ,
             
               through
               Christ.
            
             This
             ,
             
             
               through
               Christ
            
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             added
             ,
             or
             else
             it
             is
             to
             be
             questioned
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             Prayer
             ,
             though
             in
             appearance
             it
             be
             never
             so
             eminent
             ,
             or
             eloquent
             .
          
           
             Christ
             is
             the
             way
             through
             whom
             the
             Soul
             hath
             admittance
             to
             
               God
               ,
               John
            
             14.
             6.
             and
             without
             whom
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             that
             so
             much
             ,
             as
             one
             desire
             ,
             should
             come
             into
             the
             eares
             of
             the
             Lord
             of
             Sabbath
             .
             
               If
               you
               ask
               any
               thing
               in
               my
               Name
               ,
               whatsoever
               you
               ask
               the
               Father
               in
               my
               Name
               ,
               I
               will
               do
               it
               ,
            
             Joh.
             14.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
             This
             was
             Daniels
             way
             in
             praying
             for
             the
             People
             of
             God
             ;
             he
             did
             it
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               Now
               therefore
               ,
               O
               our
               God
               ,
               hear
               the
               prayer
               of
               thy
               servant
               ,
               and
               his
               supplications
               ,
               and
               cause
               thy
               face
               to
               shine
               upon
               thy
               Sanctuary
               that
               is
               desolate
               ,
               for
               the
               Lords
               sake
               ,
               Dan.
            
             9.
             17.
             
             And
             so
             
               David
               ,
               for
               thy
               Names
               sake
               ,
            
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             for
             thy
             Christs
             sake
             )
             
               pardon
               mine
               iniquity
               ,
               for
               it
               is
               great
               ,
            
             Psal.
             25.
             11.
             
          
           
             But
             now
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             every
             one
             that
             maketh
             mention
             of
             Christ's
             Name
             in
             prayer
             ,
             that
             doth
             indeed
             and
             in
             truth
             effectually
             pray
             to
             God
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             Christ
             ,
             or
             
               through
               him
            
             .
             This
             coming
             
             to
             God
             
               through
               Christ
            
             ,
             is
             the
             hardest
             part
             that
             is
             found
             in
             Prayer
             :
             A
             man
             may
             more
             easily
             be
             sensible
             of
             his
             works
             ,
             I
             ,
             and
             sincerely
             too
             desire
             mercy
             ,
             and
             yet
             not
             be
             able
             to
             come
             to
             God
             by
             Christ.
             That
             man
             that
             comes
             to
             God
             by
             Christ
             ,
             he
             must
             first
             have
             the
             knowledge
             of
             him
             :
             
               For
               he
               that
               comes
               to
               God
               ,
               must
               believe
               that
               he
               is
               ,
            
             Heb.
             11.
             6.
             
             And
             so
             he
             that
             comes
             to
             God
             through
             Christ
             ,
             must
             be
             enabled
             to
             know
             Christ.
             Lord
             (
             saith
             Moses
             ,
             Exod.
             33.
             11.
             
             )
             
               shew
               me
               thy
               Way
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               know
               thee
               .
            
          
           
             This
             Christ
             ,
             none
             but
             the
             Father
             can
             reveale
             ,
             Mat.
             11.
             27.
             
             Mat.
             16.
             16.
             
             And
             to
             come
             through
             Christ
             ,
             is
             for
             the
             soul
             to
             be
             enabledo●
             God
             ,
             to
             shroud
             it self
             under
             the
             shadow
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             as
             a
             man
             shroudeth
             himself
             under
             a
             thing
             for
             safeguard
             .
          
           
             Hence
             it
             is
             that
             David
             so
             often
             terms
             Christ
             his
             
               shield
               ,
               buckler
               ,
               tower
               ,
               fortress
               ,
               rock
               of
               defence
               ,
               &c.
            
             Psal.
             18.
             2.
             
             Psal.
             27.
             1.
             
             Psal.
             28.
             1.
             not
             only
             because
             by
             him
             he
             overcame
             his
             enemies
             ,
             but
             because
             through
             him
             he
             found
             favour
             with
             God
             
             the
             Father
             .
             And
             so
             he
             saith
             to
             Abraham
             ,
             Gen.
             15.
             1.
             
             
               Fear
               not
               ,
               I
               am
               thy
               shield
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             The
             man
             then
             that
             comes
             to
             God
             through
             Christ
             ,
             must
             have
             faith
             by
             which
             he
             puts
             on
             Christ
             ,
             and
             in
             him
             appears
             before
             God.
             Now
             he
             that
             hath
             Faith
             ,
             is
             born
             of
             God
             (
             John
             3.
             5.
             7.
             
             )
             born
             again
             ,
             and
             so
             become
             one
             of
             the
             Sons
             of
             God
             (
             John
             1.
             12.
             
             )
             by
             virtue
             of
             which
             he
             is
             joyned
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             made
             a
             
               member
               of
               him
            
             ,
             Ephes.
             5.
             30.
             
             And
             therefore
             ,
             Secondly
             ,
             He
             ,
             as
             a
             member
             of
             Christ
             ,
             comes
             to
             God
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             as
             a
             member
             of
             him
             ,
             so
             that
             God
             looks
             on
             that
             man
             as
             part
             of
             Christ
             ,
             part
             of
             his
             Body
             ,
             flesh
             and
             bones
             ,
             united
             to
             him
             by
             election
             ,
             conversion
             ,
             illumination
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             being
             conveyed
             into
             the
             heart
             of
             that
             poor
             man
             by
             God
             ;
             so
             that
             now
             he
             comes
             to
             God
             in
             Christ's
             merits
             ,
             in
             his
             blood
             ,
             righteousness
             ,
             victory
             ,
             intercession
             ,
             and
             so
             stands
             before
             him
             ;
             being
             accepted
             in
             his
             beloved
             ,
             Ephes.
             1.
             6.
             
             And
             because
             this
             poor
             creature
             is
             thus
             a
             member
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             and
             under
             
             this
             consideration
             ,
             hath
             admittance
             to
             come
             to
             God
             :
             therefore
             ,
             by
             vertue
             of
             this
             union
             ,
             also
             ,
             is
             the
             holy
             Sprit
             ,
             conveyed
             into
             him
             ,
             whereby
             he
             is
             able
             to
             pour
             out
             himself
             (
             to
             wit
             )
             his
             soul
             before
             God
             ,
             with
             his
             audience
             .
             And
             this
             leads
             me
             to
             the
             next
             ,
             or
             fourth
             particular
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Prayer
             is
             a
             sincere
             ,
             sensible
             ,
             affectionate
             pouring
             out
             of
             the
             heart
             or
             soul
             to
             God
             through
             Christ
             ,
             
               by
               the
               strength
               or
               assistance
               of
               the
               Spirit
               .
            
             For
             these
             things
             do
             so
             depend
             one
             upon
             another
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             impossible
             that
             it
             should
             be
             Prayer
             without
             there
             be
             a
             joynt
             concurrence
             of
             them
             :
             for
             though
             it
             be
             never
             so
             famous
             ,
             yet
             without
             these
             things
             ,
             it
             is
             only
             such
             Prayer
             as
             is
             rejected
             of
             God.
             For
             without
             a
             sincere
             ,
             sensible
             ,
             affectionate
             pouring
             out
             of
             the
             heart
             to
             God
             ,
             it
             is
             but
             lip-labour
             ;
             and
             if
             it
             be
             not
             through
             Christ
             ,
             it
             falleth
             far
             short
             of
             ever
             sounding
             well
             in
             the
             ears
             of
             God.
             So
             also
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             in
             the
             strength
             and
             assistance
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             it
             is
             but
             like
             the
             Sons
             of
             Aaron
             ,
             offering
             
             with
             strange
             fire
             ,
             Levit.
             10.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             But
             I
             shall
             speak
             more
             to
             this
             under
             the
             second
             head
             ;
             and
             therefore
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             That
             which
             is
             not
             petitioned
             through
             the
             teaching
             and
             assistance
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             possible
             that
             it
             should
             be
             according
             to
             the
             will
             of
             God
             ,
             Rom.
             8.
             26
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             But
             to
             proceed
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             Prayer
             is
             a
             sincere
             ,
             sensible
             ,
             affectionate
             pouring
             out
             of
             the
             heart
             or
             soul
             to
             God
             ,
             through
             Christ
             ,
             
               in
               the
               strength
               and
               assistance
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               for
               such
               things
               as
               God
               hath
               promised
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             Mat.
             6.
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             Prayer
             it
             is
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             within
             the
             compass
             of
             God's
             word
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             blasphemy
             ,
             or
             at
             best
             ,
             vain
             babling
             ,
             when
             the
             Petition
             is
             beside
             the
             Book
             .
          
           
             David
             therefore
             still
             in
             his
             prayer
             ,
             kept
             his
             eye
             on
             the
             Word
             of
             God.
             
               My
               soul
            
             ,
             saith
             he
             ,
             
               cleaveth
               to
               the
               dust
               ;
               quicken
               me
               according
               to
               thy
               word
               ,
            
             Psal.
             119.
             25
             ,
             28.
             
             And
             again
             ,
             Psal.
             119.
             41
             ,
             42
             ,
             58
             ,
             65
             ,
             74
             ,
             81
             ,
             82
             ,
             107
             ,
             147
             ,
             154
             ,
             169
             ,
             170.
             
             
               My
               soul
               melteth
               for
               heaviness
               ;
               strengthen
               me
            
             
             
               according
               to
               thy
               Word
            
             .
             And
             ,
             
               Remember
               thy
               word
               unto
               thy
               servant
               ,
               on
               which
               thou
               hast
               caused
               me
               to
               hope
               .
            
             And
             indeed
             ,
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             doth
             not
             immediately
             quicken
             and
             stir
             up
             the
             heart
             of
             the
             Christian
             without
             ,
             but
             by
             ,
             with
             ,
             and
             through
             the
             word
             ,
             by
             bringing
             that
             to
             the
             heart
             ,
             and
             by
             opening
             of
             that
             whereby
             the
             man
             is
             provoked
             to
             go
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             to
             tell
             him
             ,
             how
             it
             is
             with
             him
             ;
             and
             also
             to
             argue
             ,
             and
             supplicate
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Word
             .
          
           
             Thus
             it
             was
             with
             Daniel
             ,
             that
             mighty
             Prophet
             of
             the
             Lord.
             He
             understanding
             by
             Books
             ,
             that
             the
             Captivity
             of
             the
             Children
             of
             Israel
             was
             hard
             at
             an
             end
             ;
             Then
             according
             unto
             that
             word
             ,
             he
             maketh
             his
             prayer
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             
               I
               Daniel
            
             ,
             (
             saith
             he
             ,
             Dan.
             9.
             2
             ,
             3.
             )
             
               understood
               by
               Books
            
             ,
             (
             viz.
             the
             Writings
             of
             Jeremiah
             )
             
               the
               number
               of
               the
               years
               whereof
               the
               Word
               of
               the
               Lord
               came
               to
               Jeremiah
               ,
               that
               he
               would
               accomplish
               seventy
               years
               in
               the
               desolation
               of
               Jerusalem
               .
               And
               I
               set
               my
               face
               to
               the
               Lord
               God
               ,
               to
               seek
               by
               prayer
               and
               supplication
               ,
               with
               fasting
               ,
               and
               sackcloth
            
             
             
               and
               ashes
            
             .
             So
             that
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             as
             the
             Spirit
             is
             the
             helper
             and
             the
             governour
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             when
             it
             prayeth
             according
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ;
             so
             it
             guideth
             by
             and
             according
             to
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             Promise
             .
             Hence
             it
             is
             that
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             himself
             did
             make
             a
             stop
             ,
             although
             his
             Life
             lay
             at
             stake
             for
             it
             .
             
               I
               could
               now
               pray
               to
               my
               Father
               ,
               &
               he
               should
               give
               me
               more
               than
               twelve
               legions
               of
               Angels
               ;
               but
               how
               then
               must
               the
               Scripture
               be
               fulfilled
               ,
               that
               thus
               it
               must
               be
               ?
            
             Mat.
             26.
             53
             ,
             54.
             
             As
             who
             should
             say
             ,
             were
             there
             but
             a
             word
             for
             it
             in
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             I
             should
             soon
             be
             out
             of
             the
             hands
             of
             mine
             enemies
             ,
             I
             should
             be
             helpt
             by
             Angels
             ;
             but
             the
             Scripture
             will
             not
             warrant
             this
             kind
             of
             praying
             ,
             for
             that
             saith
             otherwise
             :
             It
             is
             a
             praying
             then
             according
             to
             the
             word
             &
             promise
             .
             The
             Spirit
             by
             the
             Word
             must
             direct
             ,
             as
             well
             in
             the
             manner
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             matter
             of
             Prayer
             .
             
               I
               will
               pray
               with
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               pray
               with
               the
               Understanding
               also
               .
            
             But
             there
             is
             no
             understanding
             without
             the
             Word
             ;
             
               For
               if
               they
               reject
               the
               Word
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               what
               wisdom
               is
               in
               them
               ?
            
             Jer.
             8.
             9.
             
          
           
           
             6.
             
             
               For
               the
               good
               of
               the
               Church
               .
            
             This
             clause
             reacheth
             in
             whatsoever
             tendeth
             either
             to
             the
             honour
             of
             God
             ,
             Christ's
             advancement
             ,
             or
             his
             Peoples
             benefit
             .
             For
             God
             ,
             and
             Christ
             ,
             and
             his
             People
             ,
             are
             so
             linked
             together
             ,
             that
             if
             the
             Good
             of
             one
             be
             prayed
             for
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             the
             Church
             ,
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             advancement
             of
             Christ
             must
             needs
             be
             included
             .
             For
             as
             Christ
             is
             in
             the
             Father
             ,
             so
             the
             Saints
             are
             in
             Christ
             ,
             John
             17.
             23.
             
             And
             he
             that
             toucheth
             the
             Saints
             ,
             toucheth
             the
             Apple
             of
             God's
             Eye
             ,
             Deut.
             32.
             10.
             
             Psal.
             17.
             8.
             
             Zach.
             2.
             8.
             
             And
             therefore
             pray
             for
             the
             
               Peace
               of
               Jerusalem
            
             ,
             and
             you
             pray
             for
             all
             that
             is
             required
             of
             you
             ,
             Psal.
             122.
             6.
             
             Psal.
             51.
             8.
             
             Isa.
             62.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
             For
             Jerusalem
             will
             never
             be
             in
             perfect
             peace
             ,
             until
             she
             be
             in
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             nothing
             that
             Christ
             doth
             more
             desire
             ,
             than
             to
             have
             her
             there
             .
             That
             also
             is
             the
             place
             ,
             that
             God
             through
             Christ
             hath
             given
             to
             her
             .
             He
             then
             that
             prayeth
             for
             the
             peace
             and
             good
             of
             Sion
             ,
             or
             the
             Church
             ,
             doth
             ask
             that
             in
             prayer
             which
             Christ
             hath
             purchased
             with
             his
             Blood
             ;
             
             and
             also
             ,
             that
             which
             the
             Father
             hath
             given
             to
             him
             as
             the
             price
             thereof
             .
             Now
             he
             that
             prayeth
             for
             this
             ,
             must
             pray
             for
             abundance
             of
             Grace
             for
             the
             Church
             ,
             for
             help
             against
             all
             its
             temptations
             ,
             that
             God
             would
             let
             nothing
             be
             too
             hard
             for
             it
             ,
             and
             that
             all
             things
             might
             work
             together
             for
             its
             good
             ;
             that
             God
             would
             keep
             them
             blameless
             and
             harmless
             ,
             the
             Sons
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             his
             glory
             ,
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             a
             crooked
             and
             perverse
             Nation
             .
             And
             this
             is
             the
             substance
             of
             Christ's
             own
             Prayer
             in
             the
             seventeenth
             of
             John.
             And
             all
             
             Paul's
             Prayers
             did
             run
             that
             way
             ,
             as
             one
             of
             his
             Prayers
             do
             eminently
             shew
             ,
             in
             Ephes.
             1.
             16
             ,
             to
             the
             21.
             and
             Chap.
             3.
             ver
             .
             14
             ,
             to
             the
             19th
             .
             with
             Col.
             1.
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13.
             
             And
             Phil.
             1.
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11.
             he
             saith
             ,
             
               And
               this
               I
               pray
               ,
               that
               your
               love
               may
               abound
               yet
               more
               and
               more
               in
               all
               knowledge
               ,
               and
               in
               all
               judgement
               ;
               that
               ye
               may
               approve
               things
               that
               are
               excellent
               ;
               that
               you
               may
               be
               sincere
               ,
               and
               without
               offence
               until
               the
               day
               of
               Christ.
               Being
               filled
               with
               the
               fruits
               of
               Righteousness
               which
               are
               by
               Jesus
            
             
             
               Christ
               ,
               to
               the
               glory
               and
               praise
               of
               God.
               
            
          
           
             But
             a
             short
             Prayer
             you
             see
             ,
             and
             yet
             full
             of
             good
             desires
             for
             the
             Church
             ,
             from
             the
             beginning
             to
             the
             end
             :
             That
             it
             may
             stand
             and
             go
             on
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             the
             most
             excellent
             frame
             of
             spirit
             ,
             even
             without
             blame
             ,
             sincere
             ,
             and
             without
             offence
             ,
             until
             the
             day
             of
             Christ
             ,
             let
             its
             temptations
             or
             persecutions
             be
             what
             they
             will.
             And
             because
             ,
             as
             I
             said
             ,
             Prayer
             doth
             submit
             to
             the
             will
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             say
             ,
             
               Thy
               Will
               be
               done
            
             ,
             as
             Christ
             hath
             taught
             us
             ,
             Matth.
             6.
             10.
             therefore
             the
             People
             of
             the
             Lord
             in
             humility
             are
             to
             lay
             themselves
             and
             their
             prayers
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             they
             have
             ,
             at
             the
             foot
             of
             their
             God
             ,
             to
             be
             disposed
             of
             by
             him
             as
             he
             in
             his
             heavenly
             wisdom
             seeth
             best
             ;
             Yet
             not
             doubting
             but
             God
             will
             answer
             the
             desire
             of
             his
             People
             ,
             that
             way
             that
             shall
             be
             most
             for
             their
             advantage
             ,
             and
             his
             glory
             .
             When
             the
             Saints
             therefore
             do
             pray
             with
             submission
             to
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             it
             doth
             not
             argue
             that
             they
             are
             to
             doubt
             or
             question
             Gods
             love
             and
             kindness
             to
             them
             .
             But
             because
             they
             at
             all
             
             times
             are
             not
             so
             wise
             ,
             but
             that
             sometimes
             Satan
             may
             get
             that
             advantage
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             to
             tempt
             them
             to
             pray
             for
             that
             ,
             which
             if
             they
             had
             it
             ,
             would
             neither
             prove
             to
             God's
             glory
             ,
             nor
             his
             Peoples
             good
             :
             1
             John
             5.
             14
             ,
             15.
             
             
               Yet
               this
               is
               the
               confidence
               we
               have
               in
               him
               ,
               that
               if
               we
               ask
               any
               thing
               according
               to
               his
               Will
               ,
               he
               heareth
               us
               :
               And
               if
               we
               know
               that
               he
               heareth
               us
               ,
               whatsoever
               we
               ask
               ,
               we
               know
               that
               we
               have
               the
               Petition
               that
               we
               ask
               of
               him
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             we
             asking
             in
             the
             Spirit
             of
             grace
             and
             supplication
             .
             For
             ,
             as
             I
             said
             before
             ,
             that
             Petition
             that
             is
             not
             put
             up
             in
             and
             through
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             to
             be
             answered
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             beside
             the
             Will
             of
             God.
             For
             the
             Spirit
             only
             knoweth
             that
             ,
             and
             so
             consequently
             knoweth
             how
             to
             pray
             according
             to
             that
             Will
             of
             God.
             
               For
               what
               man
               knoweth
               the
               things
               of
               a
               man
               ,
               save
               the
               spirit
               of
               a
               man
               that
               is
               in
               him
               ?
               even
               so
               the
               things
               of
               God
               knoweth
               no
               man
               ,
               but
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             2.
             11.
             
             But
             more
             of
             this
             hereafter
             .
          
           
             Thus
             you
             see
             ,
             first
             ,
             what
             Prayer
             is
             .
             Now
             to
             proceed
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             II.
             I
             will
             pray
             with
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             Now
             to
             pray
             with
             the
             Spirit
             ;
             for
             that
             's
             the
             praying
             man
             ,
             and
             none
             else
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             be
             accepted
             of
             God
             :
             It
             is
             for
             a
             man
             (
             as
             aforesaid
             )
             sincerely
             and
             sensibly
             ,
             with
             affection
             to
             come
             to
             God
             through
             Christ
             ,
             &c.
             which
             sincere
             ,
             sensible
             ,
             and
             affectionate
             coming
             ,
             must
             be
             by
             the
             working
             of
             God's
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             no
             man
             ,
             nor
             Church
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             can
             come
             to
             God
             in
             Prayer
             but
             by
             the
             assistance
             of
             the
             holy
             Spirit
             ;
             For
             (
             Eph.
             2.
             18.
             
             )
             
               through
               Christ
               we
               all
               have
               access
               by
               one
               Spirit
               unto
               the
               Father
               .
            
             Wherefore
             Paul
             saith
             ,
             
               We
               know
               not
               what
               we
               should
               pray
               for
               as
               we
               ought
               ;
               but
               the
               Spirit
               it self
               maketh
               intercession
               for
               us
               ,
               with
               groanings
               which
               cannot
               be
               uttered
               .
               And
               he
               that
               searcheth
               the
               heart
               ,
               knoweth
               the
               meaning
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               because
               he
               maketh
               intercession
               for
               the
               Saints
               according
               to
               the
               will
               of
               God.
            
             And
             because
             there
             is
             in
             this
             Scripture
             so
             full
             a
             discovery
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             of
             mans
             inability
             
             to
             pray
             without
             it
             ;
             therefore
             I
             shall
             in
             a
             few
             words
             comment
             upon
             it
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             15.
             16.
             
             
               For
               we
            
             .
             ]
             Consider
             first
             the
             person
             speaking
             ,
             even
             Paul
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             person
             all
             the
             Apostles
             .
             We
             Apostles
             ,
             we
             extraordinary
             Officers
             ,
             the
             wise
             Master-builders
             ,
             that
             have
             some
             of
             us
             been
             caught
             up
             into
             Paradise
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             3.
             10.
             2
             
             Cor.
             12.
             4.
             
             
               We
               know
               not
               what
               we
               should
               pray
               for
               .
            
          
           
             Surely
             there
             is
             no
             man
             but
             will
             confess
             ,
             that
             Paul
             and
             his
             Companions
             were
             as
             able
             to
             have
             done
             any
             work
             for
             God
             ,
             as
             any
             Pope
             or
             proud
             Prelate
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             and
             could
             as
             well
             have
             made
             a
             *
             Common-Prayer-Book
             ,
             as
             those
             who
             at
             first
             composed
             this
             ;
             as
             being
             not
             a
             whit
             behind
             them
             ,
             either
             in
             grace
             or
             gifts
             .
          
           
             
               For
               we
               know
               not
               what
               we
               should
               pray
               for
               .
            
             ]
             We
             know
             not
             the
             Matter
             of
             the
             things
             for
             which
             we
             should
             pray
             ,
             neither
             the
             Object
             to
             whom
             we
             pray
             ,
             nor
             
             the
             Medium
             by
             ,
             or
             through
             whom
             we
             pray
             ;
             none
             of
             these
             things
             know
             we
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             help
             and
             assistance
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             Mat.
             11.
             27.
             1
             
             Cor.
             2.
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11.
             
             Should
             we
             pray
             for
             Communion
             with
             God
             through
             Christ
             ;
             should
             we
             pray
             for
             Faith
             ,
             for
             Justification
             by
             Grace
             ,
             and
             a
             truly
             sanctified
             heart
             ?
             None
             of
             these
             things
             know
             we
             .
             For
             ,
             
               As
               no
               man
               knoweth
               the
               things
               of
               a
               man
               ,
               save
               the
               spirit
               of
               a
               man
               that
               is
               in
               him
               ;
               even
               so
               the
               things
               of
               God
               knoweth
               no
               man
               ,
               but
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             2.
             11.
             
             But
             here
             (
             alas
             !
             )
             the
             Apostles
             speak
             of
             inward
             and
             spiritual
             things
             ,
             which
             the
             world
             knows
             not
             ,
             Isa.
             29.
             11.
             
          
           
             Again
             ,
             As
             they
             know
             not
             the
             
               Matter
               ,
               &c.
            
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             without
             the
             help
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             so
             neither
             know
             they
             the
             Manner
             thereof
             without
             the
             same
             ;
             and
             therefore
             he
             addeth
             ,
             
               We
               know
               not
               what
               we
               should
               pray
               for
               as
               we
               ought
            
             ;
             but
             ,
             
               the
               Spirit
               helpeth
               our
               infirmities
               ,
               with
               sighs
               and
               groans
               which
               cannot
               be
               uttered
               .
            
             Mark
             here
             ,
             they
             could
             not
             so
             well
             and
             so
             fully
             come
             off
             in
             the
             manner
             of
             performing
             
             this
             duty
             ,
             as
             these
             in
             our
             dayes
             think
             they
             can
             .
          
           
             The
             Apostles
             when
             they
             were
             at
             the
             best
             ,
             yea
             ,
             when
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             assisted
             them
             ,
             yet
             then
             they
             were
             fain
             to
             come
             off
             with
             sighs
             and
             groans
             ;
             falling
             short
             of
             expressing
             their
             mind
             ,
             but
             with
             sighs
             and
             groans
             ,
             which
             
               cannot
               be
               uttered
            
             .
          
           
             But
             here
             now
             ,
             the
             wise
             men
             of
             our
             dayes
             are
             so
             well
             skill'd
             ,
             as
             that
             they
             have
             both
             the
             Manner
             and
             Matter
             of
             their
             Prayers
             at
             their
             fingers
             ends
             ;
             setting
             such
             a
             Prayer
             for
             such
             a
             day
             ,
             and
             that
             twenty
             years
             before
             it
             comes
             .
             One
             for
             Christmass
             ,
             another
             for
             Easter
             ,
             and
             six
             dayes
             after
             that
             .
             They
             have
             also
             bounded
             how
             many
             syllables
             must
             be
             said
             in
             every
             one
             of
             them
             at
             their
             publick
             Exercises
             .
             For
             each
             Saints
             day
             also
             ,
             they
             have
             them
             ready
             for
             the
             generations
             yet
             unborn
             to
             say
             .
             They
             can
             tell
             you
             also
             ,
             when
             you
             shall
             kneel
             ,
             when
             you
             should
             stand
             ,
             when
             you
             should
             abide
             in
             your
             seats
             ,
             when
             you
             should
             go
             up
             into
             the
             Chancel
             ,
             and
             what
             you
             should
             do
             when
             you
             come
             
             there
             .
             All
             which
             the
             Apostles
             came
             short
             of
             ,
             as
             not
             being
             able
             to
             compose
             so
             profound
             a
             manner
             .
             And
             that
             for
             this
             reason
             included
             in
             this
             Scripture
             ,
             because
             the
             fear
             of
             God
             tyed
             them
             to
             pray
             
               as
               they
               ought
            
             .
          
           
             
               For
               we
               know
               not
               what
               we
               should
               pray
               for
               as
               we
               ought
               .
            
             ]
             Mark
             this
             ,
             
               As
               we
               ought
            
             .
             For
             the
             not
             thinking
             of
             this
             word
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             ,
             the
             not
             understanding
             it
             ,
             in
             the
             spirit
             and
             truth
             of
             it
             ,
             hath
             occasioned
             these
             men
             to
             devise
             ,
             as
             Jeroboam
             did
             (
             1
             King.
             12.
             26
             ,
             27
             ,
             28
             ,
             29
             ,
             30
             ,
             31
             ,
             32
             ,
             33.
             )
             another
             way
             of
             Worship
             ,
             both
             for
             matter
             and
             manner
             ,
             than
             is
             revealed
             in
             the
             Word
             of
             God.
             But
             saith
             
               Paul
               ,
               We
               must
               pray
               as
               we
               ought
            
             ;
             and
             this
             we
             cannot
             do
             by
             all
             the
             art
             ,
             skill
             ,
             cunning
             and
             device
             of
             Men
             or
             Angels
             .
             
               For
               we
               know
               not
               what
               we
               should
               pray
               for
               as
               we
               ought
               ,
               but
               the
               Spirit
            
             ;
             nay
             further
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             
               the
               Spirit
               it self
            
             that
             helpeth
             our
             infirmities
             ;
             not
             the
             Spirit
             and
             man's
             lusts
             .
             What
             man
             of
             his
             own
             brain
             may
             imagine
             and
             devise
             ,
             is
             one
             thing
             ;
             and
             what
             they
             are
             commanded
             
             and
             ought
             to
             do
             ,
             is
             another
             .
             
               Many
               ask
               and
               have
               not
               ,
               because
               they
               ask
               amiss
               ,
               Jam.
            
             4.
             3.
             and
             so
             are
             never
             the
             nearer
             the
             injoying
             of
             those
             things
             they
             petition
             for
             .
             It
             is
             not
             to
             pray
             at
             random
             ,
             that
             will
             put
             off
             God
             ,
             or
             cause
             him
             to
             answer
             .
          
           
             While
             Prayer
             is
             making
             ,
             God
             is
             searching
             the
             heart
             ,
             to
             see
             from
             what
             root
             and
             spirit
             it
             doth
             arise
             .
             
               And
               he
               that
               searcheth
               the
               heart
               ,
               knoweth
            
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             approveth
             only
             )
             
               the
               meaning
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               because
               he
               maketh
               intercession
               for
               the
               Saints
               according
               to
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
            
             1
             John
             5.
             14.
             
             For
             in
             that
             which
             is
             according
             to
             his
             Will
             only
             he
             heareth
             us
             ,
             and
             in
             nothing
             else
             .
             And
             it
             is
             the
             Spirit
             only
             that
             can
             teach
             us
             so
             to
             ask
             ;
             it
             onely
             being
             able
             to
             search
             out
             all
             things
             ,
             
               even
               the
               deep
               things
               of
               God.
            
             Without
             which
             Spirit
             ,
             though
             we
             had
             a
             thousand
             Common-Prayer-Books
             ,
             yet
             we
             know
             not
             what
             we
             should
             pray
             for
             as
             we
             ought
             ,
             being
             accompanied
             with
             those
             infirmities
             that
             make
             us
             absolutely
             uncapable
             of
             such
             a
             work
             .
             Which
             
             infirmities
             ,
             although
             it
             is
             a
             hard
             thing
             to
             name
             them
             all
             ,
             yet
             some
             of
             them
             are
             these
             that
             follow
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             Without
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             man
             is
             so
             infirm
             ,
             that
             he
             cannot
             with
             all
             other
             means
             whatsoever
             ,
             be
             enabled
             to
             think
             one
             right
             saving
             thought
             of
             God
             ,
             of
             Christ
             ,
             or
             of
             his
             blessed
             things
             ;
             and
             therefore
             he
             saith
             of
             the
             wicked
             ,
             
               God
               is
               not
               in
               all
               their
               thoughts
               ,
            
             Psal.
             10.
             4.
             
             Unless
             it
             be
             that
             they
             
               imagine
               him
               altogether
               such
               a
               one
               as
               themselves
               ,
            
             Psal.
             50.
             20.
             
             
               For
               every
               imagination
               of
               the
               thought
               of
               their
               heart
               ,
               is
               only
               evil
               ,
               and
               that
               continually
               ,
            
             Gen.
             6.
             5.
             
             Gen.
             8.
             21.
             
          
           
             They
             then
             ,
             not
             being
             able
             to
             conceive
             aright
             of
             God
             to
             whom
             they
             pray
             ,
             of
             Christ
             through
             whom
             they
             pray
             ,
             nor
             of
             the
             things
             for
             which
             they
             pray
             ,
             as
             is
             before
             shewed
             ,
             how
             shall
             they
             be
             able
             to
             address
             themselves
             to
             God
             ,
             without
             the
             Spirit
             help
             this
             infirmity
             ?
          
           
             Peradventure
             you
             will
             say
             ,
             By
             the
             help
             of
             the
             Common-Prayer-Book
             :
             but
             ,
             that
             cannot
             do
             it
             unless
             it
             can
             open
             
             the
             eyes
             ,
             and
             reveal
             to
             the
             soul
             all
             these
             things
             before
             touched
             .
             Which
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             ,
             it
             is
             evident
             ;
             because
             that
             is
             the
             work
             of
             the
             Spirit
             only
             :
             The
             Spirit
             it self
             is
             the
             revealer
             of
             these
             things
             to
             poor
             souls
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             doth
             give
             us
             to
             understand
             them
             ;
             wherefore
             ,
             Christ
             tells
             his
             Disciples
             ,
             when
             he
             promised
             to
             send
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             Comforter
             ,
             
               He
               shall
               take
               of
               mine
               ,
               and
               shew
               unto
               you
            
             ;
             as
             if
             he
             had
             said
             ,
             I
             know
             you
             are
             naturally
             dark
             and
             ignorant
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             understanding
             any
             of
             my
             things
             ;
             though
             ye
             try
             this
             course
             and
             the
             other
             ,
             yet
             your
             ignorance
             will
             still
             remain
             ;
             the
             vail
             is
             spread
             over
             your
             heart
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             none
             can
             take
             away
             the
             same
             ,
             nor
             give
             you
             spiritual
             understanding
             ,
             
               but
               the
               Spirit
            
             .
             The
             Common-Prayer-Book
             will
             not
             do
             it
             ,
             neither
             can
             any
             man
             expect
             that
             it
             should
             be
             instrumental
             that
             way
             ,
             it
             being
             none
             of
             God's
             Ordinances
             ;
             but
             a
             thing
             since
             the
             Scriptures
             were
             written
             ,
             patched
             together
             ,
             one
             piece
             at
             one
             time
             ,
             and
             another
             at
             another
             ;
             a
             meer
             
             mane
             invention
             and
             institution
             ,
             which
             God
             is
             so
             far
             from
             owning
             of
             ,
             that
             he
             expresly
             forbids
             it
             ,
             with
             any
             other
             such
             like
             ,
             and
             that
             by
             manyfold
             sayings
             in
             his
             most
             holy
             and
             blessed
             Word
             .
             See
             Mark
             7.
             vers
             .
             7
             ,
             8.
             and
             Col.
             2.
             vers
             .
             16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18
             ,
             19
             ,
             20
             ,
             21
             ,
             22
             ,
             23.
             
             Deut.
             12.
             30
             ,
             31
             ,
             32.
             
             Prov.
             30.
             6.
             
             Deut.
             4.
             2.
             
             Rev.
             22.
             18.
             
             For
             right
             prayer
             ,
             must
             aswell
             in
             the
             outward
             part
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             the
             outward
             expression
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             inward
             intention
             ,
             come
             from
             what
             the
             soul
             doth
             apprehend
             in
             the
             Light
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ;
             otherwise
             it
             is
             condemned
             as
             vain
             and
             an
             abomination
             ;
             (
             Mark
             7.
             )
             because
             the
             heart
             and
             tongue
             do
             not
             go
             along
             joyntly
             in
             the
             same
             ,
             Prov.
             21.
             9.
             
             Isa.
             29.
             13.
             neither
             indeed
             can
             they
             ,
             unless
             the
             Spirit
             help
             our
             infirmities
             .
             And
             this
             David
             knew
             full
             well
             ,
             which
             did
             make
             him
             cry
             ,
             
               Lord
               ,
               open
               thou
               my
               lips
               ,
               and
               my
               mouth
               shall
               shew
               forth
               thy
               praise
               ,
            
             Psal.
             51.
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             I
             suppose
             ,
             there
             is
             none
             can
             imagine
             ,
             but
             that
             David
             could
             speak
             ,
             and
             express
             himself
             as
             well
             as
             others
             ,
             nay
             ,
             as
             any
             
             in
             our
             generation
             ,
             as
             is
             clearly
             manifested
             by
             his
             word
             ,
             and
             his
             works
             .
             Nevertheless
             ,
             when
             this
             good
             man
             ,
             this
             Prophet
             ,
             comes
             into
             God's
             Worship
             ,
             then
             the
             Lord
             must
             help
             ,
             or
             he
             can
             do
             nothing
             ;
             
               Lord
               open
               thou
               my
               lips
               ,
               and
               then
               my
               mouth
               shall
               shew
               forth
               thy
               praise
               .
            
             He
             could
             not
             speak
             one
             right
             word
             ,
             except
             the
             Spirit
             it self
             gave
             utterance
             :
             
               For
               we
               know
               not
               what
               we
               should
               pray
               for
               as
               we
               ought
               :
               but
               the
               Spirit
               it self
               helpeth
               our
               infirmities
               .
            
          
           
             But
             Secondly
             ,
             It
             must
             be
             a
             praying
             with
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             effectual
             praying
             ;
             because
             ,
             without
             that
             ,
             as
             men
             are
             senceless
             ,
             so
             hypocritical
             ,
             cold
             ,
             and
             unseemly
             in
             their
             prayers
             ;
             and
             so
             ,
             they
             with
             their
             prayers
             ,
             are
             both
             rendred
             abominable
             to
             God
             ,
             Mat.
             23.
             14.
             
             Mark
             12.
             40.
             
             It
             is
             not
             the
             excellency
             of
             the
             voice
             ,
             nor
             the
             seeming
             affection
             ,
             and
             earnestness
             of
             him
             that
             prayeth
             ,
             that
             is
             any
             thing
             regarded
             of
             God
             without
             it
             ,
             Luke
             18.
             11
             ,
             12.
             
             Isa.
             58.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             For
             man
             ,
             as
             man
             ,
             is
             so
             full
             of
             all
             manner
             of
             wickedness
             ,
             that
             as
             he
             cannot
             keep
             a
             word
             ,
             
             or
             thought
             ,
             so
             
               much
               less
               a
               piece
               of
               prayer
               clean
               ,
            
             and
             
               acceptable
               to
               God
               through
               Christ.
            
             And
             for
             this
             cause
             ,
             the
             Pharisees
             ,
             with
             their
             prayers
             ,
             were
             rejected
             .
             No
             question
             ,
             but
             they
             were
             excellently
             able
             to
             express
             themselves
             in
             words
             ,
             and
             also
             for
             length
             of
             time
             too
             they
             were
             very
             notable
             ;
             but
             they
             had
             not
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             to
             help
             them
             ,
             and
             therefore
             they
             did
             what
             they
             did
             with
             their
             infirmities
             or
             weaknesses
             only
             ,
             and
             so
             fell
             short
             of
             a
             sincere
             ,
             sensible
             ,
             affectionate
             pouring
             out
             of
             their
             souls
             to
             God
             through
             the
             strength
             of
             the
             Spirit
             .
             That
             is
             the
             prayer
             that
             goeth
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             that
             is
             sent
             thither
             in
             the
             strength
             of
             the
             Spirit
             .
             For
             ,
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Nothing
             but
             the
             Spirit
             can
             shew
             a
             man
             clearly
             his
             misery
             by
             nature
             ,
             and
             so
             put
             a
             man
             into
             a
             posture
             of
             prayer
             .
             Talk
             is
             but
             talk
             ,
             as
             we
             use
             to
             say
             ,
             and
             so
             it
             is
             but
             mouth-worship
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             not
             a
             sence
             of
             misery
             ,
             and
             that
             effectually
             too
             .
          
           
             O
             the
             cursed
             hypocrisie
             that
             is
             in
             most
             hearts
             ,
             and
             that
             accompanieth
             many
             
             thousands
             of
             praying
             men
             ,
             that
             would
             be
             so
             looked
             upon
             in
             this
             day
             ,
             and
             all
             for
             want
             of
             a
             sence
             of
             their
             misery
             !
             But
             now
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             that
             will
             sweetly
             shew
             the
             soul
             its
             misery
             ,
             where
             it
             is
             ,
             and
             what
             is
             like
             to
             become
             of
             it
             ;
             also
             the
             intolerableness
             of
             that
             condition
             :
             For
             it
             is
             the
             Spirit
             that
             doth
             effectually
             
               convince
               of
               sin
               and
               misery
               ,
               without
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               ,
            
             John
             16.
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             and
             so
             puts
             the
             soul
             into
             a
             sweet
             ,
             serious
             ,
             sensible
             ,
             affectionate
             way
             of
             praying
             to
             God
             according
             to
             his
             Word
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             If
             men
             did
             see
             their
             sins
             ,
             yet
             without
             the
             help
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             they
             would
             not
             pray
             :
             For
             they
             would
             run
             away
             from
             God
             ,
             with
             Cain
             and
             Judas
             ,
             and
             utterly
             despair
             of
             mercy
             ,
             were
             it
             not
             for
             the
             Spirit
             .
             When
             a
             man
             is
             indeed
             sensible
             of
             his
             sin
             ,
             and
             God's
             curse
             ,
             then
             it
             is
             an
             hard
             thing
             to
             perswade
             him
             to
             pray
             ;
             For
             saith
             his
             heart
             ,
             
               There
               is
               no
               hope
               ,
               It
               is
               in
               vain
               to
               seek
               God
               ,
            
             Jer.
             2.
             25.
             
             Jer.
             18.
             12.
             
             I
             am
             so
             vile
             ,
             so
             wretched
             ,
             and
             so
             cursed
             a
             creature
             ,
             that
             I
             shall
             never
             be
             regarded
             .
             Now
             here
             
             comes
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             stayeth
             the
             soul
             ,
             helpeth
             it
             to
             hold
             up
             its
             face
             to
             God
             ,
             by
             letting
             into
             the
             heart
             some
             small
             sence
             of
             mercy
             ,
             to
             encourage
             it
             to
             go
             to
             God
             ;
             and
             hence
             it
             is
             called
             the
             Comforter
             ,
             John
             14.
             26.
             
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             It
             must
             be
             in
             ,
             or
             with
             the
             Spirit
             ;
             For
             without
             that
             ,
             no
             man
             can
             know
             how
             he
             should
             come
             to
             God
             the
             right
             way
             .
             Men
             may
             easily
             say
             ,
             they
             come
             to
             God
             in
             his
             Son
             :
             but
             it
             is
             the
             hardest
             thing
             of
             a
             thousand
             to
             come
             to
             God
             aright
             and
             in
             his
             own
             way
             ,
             without
             the
             Spirit
             .
             
               It
               is
               the
               Spirit
               that
               searcheth
               all
               things
               ,
               yea
               ,
               the
               deep
               things
               of
               God
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             2.
             12.
             
             It
             is
             the
             Spirit
             that
             must
             shew
             us
             the
             way
             of
             coming
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             also
             what
             there
             is
             in
             God
             that
             makes
             him
             desireable
             .
             
               I
               beseech
               thee
            
             (
             saith
             Moses
             )
             
               shew
               me
               thy
               way
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               know
               thee
               ,
            
             Exod.
             33.
             13.
             
             And
             Joh.
             16.
             14.
             
             
               He
               shall
               take
               of
               mine
               ,
               and
               shall
               shew
               it
               unto
               you
               .
            
          
           
             Sixthly
             ,
             Because
             without
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             though
             a
             man
             did
             see
             his
             misery
             ,
             and
             also
             the
             way
             to
             come
             to
             God
             ;
             yet
             he
             
             would
             never
             be
             able
             to
             claim
             a
             share
             in
             either
             God
             ,
             Christ
             ,
             or
             Mercy
             ,
             with
             Gods
             approbation
             .
             O
             how
             great
             a
             task
             is
             it
             ,
             for
             a
             poor
             soul
             that
             comes
             sensible
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             the
             wrath
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             say
             in
             Faith
             ,
             but
             this
             one
             word
             ,
             Father
             !
             I
             tell
             you
             ,
             how
             ever
             hypocrites
             think
             ,
             yet
             the
             Christian
             ,
             that
             is
             so
             indeed
             ,
             finds
             all
             the
             difficulty
             in
             this
             very
             thing
             ,
             it
             cannot
             say
             ,
             God
             is
             its
             Father
             .
          
           
             Oh!
             saith
             he
             ,
             I
             dare
             not
             call
             him
             Father
             ;
             and
             hence
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             the
             Spirit
             must
             be
             sent
             into
             the
             hearts
             of
             Gods
             people
             for
             this
             very
             thing
             ,
             to
             cry
             ,
             Father
             ,
             Gal.
             4.
             6.
             it
             being
             too
             great
             a
             work
             for
             any
             man
             to
             do
             knowingly
             ,
             and
             believingly
             ,
             without
             it
             .
             When
             I
             say
             ,
             knowingly
             ,
             I
             mean
             ,
             knowing
             what
             it
             is
             to
             be
             a
             Child
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             born
             again
             .
             And
             when
             I
             say
             ,
             believingly
             ,
             I
             mean
             ,
             for
             the
             soul
             to
             believe
             ,
             and
             that
             from
             good
             experience
             ,
             that
             the
             work
             of
             Grace
             is
             wrought
             in
             him
             :
             this
             is
             the
             right
             calling
             of
             God
             Father
             ;
             and
             not
             as
             many
             do
             ,
             to
             say
             in
             a
             babling
             way
             ,
             the
             Lords
             Prayer
             (
             so
             called
             )
             by
             heart
             ,
             as
             it
             
             lyeth
             in
             the
             words
             of
             the
             Book
             .
             No
             ,
             here
             is
             the
             life
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             when
             in
             ,
             or
             with
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             a
             man
             being
             made
             sensible
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             how
             to
             come
             to
             the
             Lord
             for
             mercy
             ;
             he
             comes
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             in
             the
             strength
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             cryeth
             ,
             Father
             .
          
           
             ☞
             That
             one
             word
             spoken
             in
             Faith
             ,
             is
             better
             than
             a
             thousand
             prayers
             ,
             as
             men
             call
             them
             ,
             written
             and
             read
             ,
             in
             a
             formal
             ,
             cold
             ,
             luke-warm
             way
             .
          
           
             Oh
             how
             far
             short
             are
             those
             people
             of
             being
             sensible
             of
             this
             ,
             who
             count
             it
             enough
             to
             teach
             themselves
             and
             children
             ,
             to
             say
             the
             Lords
             Prayer
             ,
             the
             Creed
             ,
             with
             other
             sayings
             ;
             when
             as
             Gods
             knows
             they
             are
             senceless
             of
             themselves
             ,
             their
             misery
             ,
             or
             what
             it
             is
             to
             be
             brought
             to
             God
             through
             Christ
             !
          
           
             Ah
             poor
             souls
             !
             study
             your
             misery
             ,
             and
             cry
             to
             God
             to
             shew
             you
             your
             confused
             blindness
             and
             ignorance
             ,
             before
             you
             be
             to
             rife
             in
             calling
             God
             your
             Father
             ,
             or
             learning
             your
             children
             either
             so
             to
             say
             .
             And
             know
             ,
             that
             to
             say
             ,
             God
             is
             your
             Father
             ,
             in
             a
             way
             of
             prayer
             ,
             
             or
             conference
             ,
             without
             an
             experiment
             of
             the
             work
             of
             grace
             on
             your
             souls
             ,
             it
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             you
             are
             Jews
             ,
             and
             are
             not
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             lie
             .
          
           
             You
             say
             ,
             Our
             Father
             ,
             God
             saith
             you
             blaspheme
             .
             You
             say
             ,
             you
             are
             Jews
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             true
             Christians
             :
             God
             saith
             ,
             you
             lie
             .
             
               Behold
               I
               will
               make
               them
               of
               the
               Synagogue
               of
               Satan
               ,
               which
               say
               ,
               they
               are
               Jews
               ,
               and
               are
               not
               ,
               but
               do
               lie
               .
               And
               I
               know
               the
               blasphemy
               of
               them
               that
               say
               ,
               they
               are
               Jews
               ,
               and
               are
               not
               ,
               but
               are
               the
               Synagogue
               of
               Satan
               ,
            
             Rev.
             3.
             9.
             
             Rev.
             2.
             9.
             
          
           
             And
             so
             much
             the
             greater
             the
             sin
             is
             ,
             by
             how
             much
             the
             more
             the
             sinner
             boasts
             it
             with
             a
             pretended
             sanctity
             ,
             as
             the
             Jews
             did
             to
             Christ
             ,
             in
             John
             8.
             41
             ,
             to
             45.
             which
             made
             Christ
             even
             in
             plain
             terms
             to
             tell
             them
             their
             doom
             ,
             for
             all
             their
             hypocritical
             pretences
             .
             And
             yet
             forsooth
             ,
             every
             cursed
             whoremaster
             ,
             thief
             and
             drunkard
             ,
             swearer
             ,
             and
             perjured
             person
             ,
             they
             that
             have
             not
             only
             been
             such
             in
             times
             past
             ,
             but
             are
             even
             so
             still
             ;
             these
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             by
             some
             must
             be
             counted
             the
             only
             honest
             men
             ,
             and
             all
             because
             ,
             
             with
             their
             blasphemous
             throats
             and
             hypocritical
             hearts
             ,
             they
             will
             come
             to
             Church
             and
             say
             ,
             
               Our
               Father
            
             .
             Nay
             further
             ,
             these
             men
             ,
             though
             every
             time
             they
             say
             to
             God
             ,
             our
             Father
             ,
             do
             most
             abominably
             blaspheme
             ,
             yet
             they
             must
             be
             compelled
             thus
             to
             do
             .
             And
             because
             others
             that
             are
             of
             more
             sober
             Principles
             ,
             scruple
             the
             truth
             of
             such
             vain
             Traditions
             ;
             therefore
             they
             must
             be
             looked
             upon
             to
             be
             the
             only
             Enemies
             of
             God
             and
             the
             Nation
             ,
             Isa.
             53.
             10.
             when
             as
             it
             is
             their
             own
             cursed
             Superstition
             ,
             that
             doth
             set
             the
             great
             God
             against
             them
             ,
             and
             cause
             him
             to
             count
             them
             for
             his
             enemies
             .
             And
             yet
             ,
             just
             like
             to
             Bonner
             ,
             that
             blood-red
             Persecutor
             ,
             they
             commend
             (
             I
             say
             )
             these
             wretches
             ,
             although
             never
             so
             vile
             (
             if
             they
             close
             in
             with
             their
             Traditions
             )
             to
             be
             good
             Church-men
             ,
             the
             honest
             subjects
             ;
             while
             God's
             People
             are
             (
             as
             it
             hath
             alwayes
             been
             ,
             Ezra
             4.
             12
             ,
             to
             16.
             )
             looked
             upon
             to
             be
             a
             turbulent
             ,
             seditious
             ,
             and
             factious
             people
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             give
             me
             leave
             a
             little
             to
             
             reason
             with
             thee
             ,
             thou
             poor
             ,
             blind
             ,
             ignorant
             Sot
             ;
             It
             may
             be
             ,
             thy
             great
             prayer
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             
               Our
               Father
               which
               art
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             Dost
             thou
             know
             the
             meaning
             of
             the
             very
             first
             words
             of
             this
             Prayer
             ?
             Canst
             thou
             indeed
             ,
             with
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             cry
             ,
             
               Our
               Father
            
             ?
             Art
             thou
             truly
             born
             again
             ?
             hast
             thou
             received
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Adoption
             ?
             dost
             thou
             see
             thy self
             in
             Christ
             ?
             and
             canst
             thou
             come
             to
             God
             as
             a
             Member
             of
             him
             ?
             Or
             ,
             art
             thou
             ignorant
             of
             these
             things
             ,
             and
             yet
             darest
             say
             ,
             
               Our
               Father
            
             ?
             Is
             not
             the
             Devil
             thy
             Father
             ,
             (
             John
             8.
             44.
             
             )
             and
             dost
             thou
             not
             do
             the
             deeds
             of
             the
             flesh
             ?
             and
             yet
             darest
             thou
             say
             to
             God
             ,
             
               Our
               Father
            
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             art
             thou
             not
             a
             desperate
             Persecutor
             of
             the
             Children
             of
             God
             ?
             hast
             thou
             not
             cursed
             them
             in
             thy
             heart
             many
             a
             time
             ?
             And
             yet
             ,
             dost
             thou
             out
             of
             thy
             blasphemous
             throat
             suffer
             these
             words
             to
             come
             ,
             even
             ,
             
               Our
               Father
            
             ?
          
           
             He
             is
             their
             Father
             ,
             whom
             thou
             hatest
             and
             persecutest
             .
          
           
             But
             as
             the
             Devil
             presented
             himself
             amongst
             the
             Sons
             or
             God
             ,
             Job
             1.
             when
             
             they
             were
             to
             present
             themselves
             before
             the
             Father
             ,
             even
             our
             Father
             ;
             so
             is
             it
             now
             :
             because
             the
             Saints
             are
             commanded
             to
             say
             ,
             
               Our
               Father
            
             ;
             therefore
             all
             the
             blind
             ignorant
             rabble
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             they
             must
             also
             use
             the
             same
             words
             ,
             
               Our
               Father
            
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             And
             dost
             thou
             indeed
             say
             ,
             
               Hallowed
               be
               thy
               Name
            
             ,
             with
             thy
             heart
             ?
             Dost
             thou
             study
             by
             all
             honest
             and
             lawful
             wayes
             ,
             to
             advance
             the
             Name
             ,
             Holiness
             and
             Majesty
             of
             God
             ?
             Doth
             thy
             heart
             and
             conversation
             agree
             with
             this
             passage
             ?
             Dost
             thou
             strive
             to
             imitate
             Christ
             in
             all
             the
             works
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             which
             God
             doth
             command
             of
             thee
             ,
             and
             prompt
             thee
             forwards
             to
             ?
             It
             is
             so
             ,
             if
             thou
             beest
             one
             that
             canst
             truly
             with
             God's
             allowance
             cry
             ,
             
               Our
               Father
            
             .
          
           
             Or
             ,
             is
             it
             not
             the
             least
             of
             thy
             thoughts
             all
             the
             day
             ?
             and
             dost
             thou
             not
             clearly
             make
             it
             appear
             that
             thou
             art
             a
             cursed
             Hypocrite
             ,
             by
             condemning
             that
             with
             thy
             daily
             practice
             ,
             which
             thou
             pretendest
             in
             thy
             praying
             with
             thy
             dissembling
             tongue
             ?
          
           
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Wouldest
             thou
             have
             the
             
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               come
               indeed
            
             ,
             and
             also
             his
             Will
             to
             be
             done
             in
             Earth
             as
             it
             is
             in
             Heaven
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             notwithstanding
             ,
             thou
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             form
             ,
             sayest
             ,
             
               Thy
               Kingdom
               come
            
             ;
             yet
             ,
             would
             it
             not
             make
             thee
             ready
             to
             run
             mad
             ,
             to
             hear
             the
             Trumpet
             sound
             ,
             to
             see
             the
             Dead
             arise
             ,
             and
             thy self
             just
             now
             to
             go
             and
             appear
             before
             God
             ,
             to
             reckon
             for
             all
             the
             deeds
             thou
             hast
             done
             in
             the
             Body
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             are
             not
             the
             very
             thoughts
             of
             it
             altogether
             displeasing
             to
             thee
             ?
             And
             if
             God's
             VVill
             should
             be
             done
             on
             Earth
             as
             it
             is
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             must
             it
             not
             be
             thy
             ruine
             ?
          
           
             There
             is
             never
             a
             Rebel
             in
             Heaven
             ▪
             against
             God
             ;
             and
             if
             he
             should
             so
             deal
             on
             Earth
             ,
             must
             he
             not
             whirle
             thee
             down
             to
             Hell
             ?
          
           
             And
             so
             of
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Petitions
             .
          
           
             Ah!
             how
             sadly
             would
             even
             those
             men
             look
             ,
             and
             with
             what
             terror
             would
             they
             walk
             up
             and
             down
             the
             world
             ,
             if
             they
             did
             but
             know
             the
             lying
             and
             blaspheming
             
             that
             proceedeth
             out
             of
             their
             mouth
             ,
             even
             in
             their
             most
             pretended
             sanctity
             ?
          
           
             The
             Lord
             awaken
             you
             ,
             and
             learn
             your
             poor
             souls
             ,
             in
             all
             humility
             ,
             to
             take
             heed
             ,
             that
             you
             be
             not
             rash
             and
             unadvised
             with
             your
             heart
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             with
             your
             mouth
             ;
             when
             you
             appear
             before
             God
             (
             as
             the
             wise
             man
             saith
             )
             
               Be
               not
               rash
               with
               thy
               mouth
               ,
               and
               let
               not
               thine
               heart
               be
               hasty
               to
               utter
               any
               thing
            
             ;
             especially
             to
             call
             God
             Father
             ,
             without
             some
             blessed
             experience
             when
             thou
             comest
             before
             God.
             But
             I
             pass
             this
             .
          
           
             Seventhly
             ,
             It
             must
             be
             a
             praying
             with
             the
             Spirit
             if
             it
             be
             accepted
             ;
             because
             ,
             there
             is
             nothing
             but
             the
             Spirit
             can
             lift
             up
             the
             soul
             or
             heart
             to
             God
             in
             Prayer
             .
             
               The
               preparation
               of
               the
               heart
               in
               man
               ,
               and
               the
               answer
               of
               the
               tongue
               is
               from
               the
               Lord
               ,
               Prov.
            
             16.
             1.
             
             That
             is
             ,
             In
             every
             work
             for
             God
             (
             and
             especially
             in
             Prayer
             )
             if
             the
             heart
             run
             with
             the
             tongue
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             prepared
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             Indeed
             the
             tongue
             is
             very
             apt
             (
             of
             it
             
             self
             )
             to
             run
             without
             either
             Fear
             or
             VVisdom
             .
             But
             when
             it
             is
             the
             answer
             of
             the
             heart
             ,
             and
             that
             such
             an
             heart
             as
             is
             prepared
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ;
             then
             it
             speaketh
             so
             as
             God
             commands
             and
             doth
             desire
             .
          
           
             They
             are
             mighty
             words
             of
             David
             ,
             where
             he
             saith
             ,
             
               That
               he
               lifteth
               his
               heart
               and
               his
               soul
               to
               God
               ,
            
             Psal.
             25.
             1.
             
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             great
             work
             for
             any
             man
             without
             the
             strength
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ;
             and
             therefore
             I
             conceive
             that
             this
             is
             one
             of
             the
             great
             reasons
             why
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             is
             called
             a
             Spirit
             of
             
               Supplication
               ,
               Zech.
            
             12.
             11.
             because
             it
             is
             that
             which
             helpeth
             the
             heart
             when
             it
             supplicates
             indeed
             ,
             to
             do
             it
             .
          
           
             And
             therefore
             saith
             Paul
             ,
             Ephes.
             6.
             18.
             
             —
             
               Praying
               with
               all
               Prayer
               and
               Supplication
               in
               the
               Spirit
               .
            
             And
             so
             in
             my
             Text
             ,
             
               I
               will
               pray
               with
               the
               Spirit
               .
            
          
           
             Prayer
             ,
             without
             the
             heart
             be
             in
             it
             ,
             is
             like
             a
             sound
             without
             life
             ;
             and
             a
             heart
             ,
             without
             it
             be
             lifted
             up
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             will
             never
             pray
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             Eighthly
             ,
             As
             the
             heart
             must
             be
             lifted
             
             up
             by
             the
             Spirit
             if
             it
             pray
             aright
             ;
             so
             also
             it
             must
             be
             held
             up
             by
             the
             Spirit
             when
             it
             is
             up
             ,
             if
             it
             continue
             to
             pray
             aright
             .
          
           
             I
             do
             not
             know
             what
             ,
             or
             how
             ,
             it
             is
             with
             others
             hearts
             ,
             whether
             they
             be
             lifted
             up
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             so
             continued
             ,
             or
             no
             :
             But
             this
             I
             am
             sure
             of
             ;
          
           
             First
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             impossible
             that
             all
             the
             Prayer-Books
             that
             men
             have
             made
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             should
             lift
             up
             or
             prepare
             the
             heart
             ;
             that
             is
             the
             work
             of
             the
             great
             God
             himself
             .
          
           
             And
             in
             the
             Second
             place
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             as
             far
             from
             keeping
             it
             up
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             up
             .
          
           
             And
             indeed
             ,
             here
             is
             the
             life
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             to
             have
             the
             heart
             kept
             with
             God
             in
             the
             duty
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             17.
             12.
             
             It
             was
             a
             great
             matter
             for
             Moses
             to
             keep
             his
             hands
             lifted
             up
             to
             God
             in
             Prayer
             ;
             but
             how
             much
             more
             then
             to
             keep
             the
             heart
             in
             it
             !
          
           
             The
             want
             of
             this
             is
             that
             which
             God
             complains
             of
             ,
             Ezek.
             33.
             
             
               That
               they
               draw
            
             
             
               nigh
               to
               him
               with
               their
               mouth
               ,
               and
               honour
               him
               with
               their
               lips
               ,
               but
               their
               hearts
               were
               far
               from
               him
               ,
            
             (
             but
             chiefly
             )
             
               they
               that
               walk
               after
               the
               Commandments
               and
               Traditions
               of
               men
               :
            
             as
             the
             scope
             of
             Matth.
             15.
             8
             ,
             9.
             doth
             testifie
             .
          
           
             And
             verily
             ,
             may
             I
             but
             speak
             my
             own
             Experience
             ,
             and
             from
             that
             tell
             you
             the
             difficulty
             of
             Praying
             to
             God
             as
             I
             ought
             ;
             it
             is
             enough
             to
             make
             your
             poor
             ,
             blind
             ,
             carnal
             men
             ,
             to
             entertain
             strange
             thoughts
             of
             me
             .
             For
             ,
             as
             for
             my
             heart
             ,
             when
             I
             go
             to
             pray
             ,
             I
             find
             it
             so
             loth
             to
             go
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             when
             it
             is
             with
             him
             ,
             so
             loth
             to
             stay
             with
             him
             ,
             that
             many
             times
             I
             am
             forced
             in
             my
             Prayers
             ;
             first
             ,
             to
             beg
             of
             God
             that
             he
             would
             take
             mine
             heart
             ,
             and
             set
             it
             on
             himself
             in
             Christ
             ,
             and
             when
             it
             is
             there
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             keep
             it
             there
             (
             Psal.
             86.
             11.
             )
             Nay
             ,
             many
             times
             I
             know
             not
             what
             to
             pray
             for
             ,
             I
             am
             so
             blind
             ,
             nor
             how
             to
             pray
             I
             am
             so
             ignorant
             ;
             onely
             (
             blessed
             be
             Grace
             )
             
               the
               Spirit
               helps
               our
               infirmities
            
             .
          
           
             Oh
             the
             starting-holes
             that
             the
             heart
             hath
             in
             the
             time
             of
             Prayer
             !
             none
             
             knows
             how
             many
             by-wayes
             the
             heart
             hath
             ,
             and
             back-lains
             ,
             to
             slip
             away
             from
             the
             presence
             of
             God.
             How
             much
             pride
             also
             ,
             if
             enabled
             with
             expressions
             ?
             how
             much
             hypocrisie
             ,
             if
             before
             others
             ?
             And
             how
             little
             conscience
             is
             there
             made
             of
             Prayer
             between
             God
             and
             the
             Soul
             in
             secret
             ,
             unless
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Supplication
            
             be
             there
             to
             help
             ?
          
           
             VVhen
             the
             Spirit
             gets
             into
             the
             heart
             then
             there
             is
             Prayer
             indeed
             ,
             and
             not
             till
             then
             .
          
           
             Ninthly
             ,
             The
             soul
             that
             doth
             rightly
             pray
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             in
             and
             with
             the
             help
             and
             strength
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ;
             because
             it
             is
             impossible
             that
             a
             man
             should
             express
             himself
             in
             Prayer
             without
             it
             :
             when
             I
             say
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             a
             man
             to
             express
             himself
             in
             prayer
             without
             it
             ,
             I
             mean
             that
             it
             is
             impossible
             that
             the
             heart
             in
             a
             sincere
             and
             sensible
             ,
             affectionate
             way
             ,
             should
             pour
             out
             it self
             before
             God
             ,
             with
             those
             groans
             and
             sighs
             that
             come
             from
             a
             truly
             praying
             heart
             ,
             without
             the
             assistance
             of
             the
             Spirit
             .
             It
             is
             not
             the
             mouth
             that
             is
             the
             main
             thing
             
             to
             be
             looked
             at
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             but
             whether
             the
             heart
             be
             so
             full
             of
             affection
             and
             earnestness
             in
             Prayer
             with
             God
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             express
             their
             sence
             and
             desire
             .
             For
             then
             a
             man
             desires
             indeed
             ,
             when
             his
             desires
             are
             so
             strong
             ,
             many
             and
             mighty
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             words
             ,
             tears
             and
             groans
             that
             can
             come
             from
             the
             heart
             ,
             cannot
             utter
             them
             .
             
               The
               Spirit
               helpeth
               our
               infirmities
               ,
               and
               maketh
               intercession
               for
               us
               with
               sighs
               and
               groans
               that
               cannot
               be
               uttered
               .
            
          
           
             That
             is
             but
             poor
             prayer
             ,
             which
             is
             only
             discovered
             in
             so
             many
             words
             .
          
           
             
               A
               man
               that
               truly
               prayes
               one
               Prayer
               ,
               shall
               after
               that
               never
               be
               able
               to
               expresse
               with
               his
               mouth
               or
               pen
               ,
               the
               unutterable
               desires
               ,
               sence
               ,
               affection
               and
               longing
               ,
               that
               went
               to
               God
               in
               that
               Prayer
               .
            
          
           
             The
             best
             Prayers
             have
             often
             more
             groans
             than
             words
             ;
             and
             those
             words
             that
             it
             hath
             ,
             are
             but
             a
             lean
             and
             shallow
             representation
             of
             the
             heart
             ,
             life
             ,
             and
             spirit
             of
             that
             Prayer
             .
             You
             do
             not
             find
             any
             words
             of
             Prayer
             that
             we
             reade
             of
             ,
             come
             out
             of
             the
             mouth
             of
             Moses
             ,
             
             when
             he
             was
             going
             out
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             was
             followed
             by
             
               Pharoah
               ,
               Exod.
            
             14.
             15.
             and
             yet
             he
             made
             Heaven
             ring
             again
             with
             his
             cry
             :
             But
             it
             was
             the
             unexpressible
             ,
             and
             unsearchable
             groans
             ,
             and
             cryings
             of
             his
             soul
             ,
             in
             and
             with
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             God
             is
             
               the
               God
               of
               Spirits
            
             ,
             Numb
             .
             16.
             22.
             and
             his
             eyes
             look
             further
             than
             the
             ourside
             of
             any
             duty
             whatsoever
             ,
             1
             Sam.
             16.
             7.
             
          
           
             I
             doubt
             this
             is
             but
             little
             thought
             on
             by
             the
             most
             of
             them
             that
             would
             be
             looked
             upon
             as
             a
             praying
             people
             .
          
           
             The
             nearer
             a
             man
             comes
             in
             any
             work
             that
             God
             commands
             him
             ,
             to
             the
             doing
             of
             it
             according
             to
             his
             will
             ;
             so
             much
             the
             more
             hard
             and
             difficult
             it
             is
             .
             And
             the
             reason
             is
             ,
             because
             man
             ,
             as
             man
             ,
             is
             not
             able
             to
             do
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             Prayer
             (
             as
             aforesaid
             )
             is
             not
             only
             a
             duty
             ,
             but
             one
             of
             the
             most
             eminent
             duties
             ;
             and
             therefore
             so
             much
             the
             more
             difficult
             .
             Therefore
             Paul
             knew
             what
             he
             said
             ,
             when
             he
             said
             ,
             
               I
               will
               pray
               with
               the
               Spirit
               .
            
             He
             knew
             well
             ,
             it
             was
             
             not
             what
             others
             writ
             or
             said
             ,
             that
             could
             make
             him
             a
             praying
             person
             ;
             nothing
             lesse
             than
             the
             Spirit
             could
             do
             it
             .
          
           
             Tenthly
             ,
             It
             must
             be
             with
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             or
             else
             ,
             as
             there
             will
             be
             a
             failing
             in
             the
             act
             it self
             ,
             so
             there
             will
             be
             a
             failing
             ,
             yea
             a
             fainting
             in
             the
             prosecution
             of
             the
             work
             .
             Prayer
             is
             an
             Ordinance
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             must
             continue
             with
             a
             soul
             so
             long
             as
             it
             is
             on
             this
             side
             glory
             .
          
           
             But
             as
             I
             said
             before
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             possible
             for
             a
             man
             to
             get
             up
             his
             heart
             to
             God
             in
             Prayer
             ;
             so
             it
             is
             as
             difficult
             to
             keep
             it
             there
             ,
             without
             the
             assistance
             of
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             And
             if
             so
             ,
             then
             for
             a
             man
             to
             continue
             from
             time
             to
             time
             in
             Prayer
             with
             God
             ,
             it
             must
             of
             necessity
             be
             with
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             Christ
             tells
             us
             ,
             That
             
               men
               ought
               alwayes
               to
               pray
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               faint
               ,
            
             Luke
             18.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             And
             again
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             one
             definition
             of
             an
             Hypocrite
             ,
             That
             either
             
               he
               will
               not
               continue
               in
               Prayer
               ,
            
             or
             else
             ,
             if
             he
             do
             ,
             it
             will
             
               not
               be
               in
               the
               power
            
             ,
             
             (
             Job
             27.
             10.
             
             )
             that
             is
             ,
             in
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             Form
             ,
             
               for
               a
               pretence
               only
            
             ,
             Mat.
             23.
             14.
             
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             easiest
             thing
             of
             an
             hundred
             ,
             to
             fall
             from
             the
             Power
             to
             the
             Form
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             the
             hardest
             thing
             of
             many
             ,
             to
             keep
             in
             the
             Life
             ,
             Spirit
             and
             Power
             of
             any
             one
             duty
             ,
             especially
             Prayer
             :
             That
             is
             such
             a
             work
             ,
             that
             a
             man
             without
             the
             help
             of
             the
             Spirit
             cannot
             so
             much
             as
             pray
             once
             ;
             much
             less
             ,
             continue
             without
             it
             in
             a
             sweet
             praying
             frame
             ,
             and
             in
             praying
             ,
             so
             to
             pray
             ,
             as
             to
             have
             his
             Prayers
             to
             ascend
             into
             the
             ears
             of
             the
             Lord
             God
             of
             Sabbaoth
             .
          
           
             Jacob
             did
             not
             only
             begin
             ,
             but
             held
             it
             ;
             
               I
               will
               not
               let
               thee
               go
               ,
               unless
               thou
               bless
               me
               ,
            
             Gen.
             32.
             
          
           
             So
             did
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Godly
             ,
             Hos.
             12.
             4.
             
             But
             this
             could
             not
             be
             without
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Prayer
             .
             
               It
               is
               through
               the
               Spirit
               that
               we
               have
               access
               to
               the
               Father
               ,
            
             Ephes.
             2.
             18.
             
          
           
             That
             same
             is
             a
             remarkable
             place
             in
             Jude
             ,
             when
             he
             stirreth
             up
             the
             Saints
             by
             the
             Judgement
             of
             God
             upon
             the
             
             Wicked
             ,
             to
             stand
             fast
             ,
             and
             continue
             or
             hold
             out
             in
             the
             Faith
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             as
             one
             excellent
             means
             thereto
             ,
             without
             which
             he
             knew
             they
             would
             never
             be
             able
             to
             do
             it
             .
             Saith
             he
             ,
             
               Build
               up
               your selves
               in
               your
               most
               holy
               Faith
               ,
               praying
               in
               the
               holy
               Ghost
               ,
            
             Jude
             20.
             
             As
             if
             he
             had
             said
             ,
             
               Brethren
               ,
               as
               eternal
               Life
               is
               laid
               up
               for
               the
               persons
               that
               hold
               out
               only
               ,
               so
               you
               cannot
               hold
               out
               ,
               unless
               you
               continue
               praying
               in
               the
               Spirit
               .
            
          
           
             The
             great
             cheat
             that
             the
             Devil
             and
             Antichrist
             deludes
             the
             World
             withal
             ,
             it
             is
             to
             make
             them
             continue
             in
             the
             form
             of
             any
             Duty
             ,
             the
             Form
             of
             Preaching
             ,
             of
             Hearing
             ,
             of
             Praying
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               These
               are
               they
               that
               have
               a
               Form
               of
               Godliness
               ,
               but
               deny
               the
               Power
               ;
               from
               such
               turn
               away
               ,
            
             2
             Tim.
             3.
             5.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             Here
             followeth
             the
             Third
             Thing
             ;
             to
             wit
             ,
          
           
             What
             it
             is
             to
             pray
             with
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             with
             understanding
             .
          
           
             And
             now
             to
             the
             next
             thing
             ,
             What
             it
             is
             
               to
               pray
               with
               the
               Spirit
            
             ,
             and
             
               to
               pray
               with
               the
               Understanding
               also
               .
            
             For
             the
             Apostle
             put
             a
             clear
             distinction
             between
             
               praying
               with
               the
               Spirit
            
             ,
             and
             
               praying
               with
               the
               Spirit
               and
               Understanding
               .
            
             Therefore
             when
             he
             saith
             ,
             he
             
               will
               pray
               with
               the
               Spirit
            
             ,
             he
             addeth
             ,
             
               and
               I
               will
               pray
               with
               the
               Understanding
            
             [
             also
             .
             ]
             This
             distinction
             was
             occasioned
             through
             the
             Corinthians
             not
             observing
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             their
             duty
             to
             do
             what
             they
             did
             to
             the
             Edification
             of
             themselves
             ,
             and
             others
             too
             ;
             whereas
             they
             did
             it
             for
             their
             own
             commendations
             .
             So
             I
             judge
             .
             For
             many
             of
             them
             having
             extraordinary
             gifts
             ,
             
               as
               to
               speak
               with
               divers
               tongues
               ,
               &c.
            
             therefore
             they
             
             were
             more
             for
             those
             mighty
             gifts
             ,
             than
             they
             were
             for
             the
             edifying
             of
             their
             Brethren
             ;
             which
             was
             the
             cause
             that
             Paul
             wrote
             this
             Chapter
             to
             them
             ,
             to
             let
             them
             understand
             ,
             that
             though
             extraordinary
             gifts
             were
             excellent
             ,
             yet
             ,
             to
             do
             what
             they
             did
             to
             the
             edification
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             was
             more
             excellent
             .
             For
             (
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             )
             
               if
               I
               will
               pray
               in
               an
               unknown
               tongue
               ,
               my
               spirit
               prayeth
               ,
               but
               my
               understanding
            
             (
             and
             also
             the
             understanding
             of
             others
             )
             
               is
               unfruitful
            
             .
             Therefore
             ,
             
               I
               will
               pray
               with
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               pray
               with
               the
               Understanding
               also
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             14.
             4
             ,
             5
             ,
             -
             12
             ,
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15
             ,
             &c.
             reade
             the
             scope
             of
             the
             whole
             Chapter
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             expedient
             then
             that
             the
             Understanding
             should
             be
             occupied
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             heart
             and
             mouth
             ;
             
               I
               will
               pray
               with
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               pray
               with
               the
               Understanding
               also
               .
            
             That
             which
             is
             done
             with
             Understanding
             ,
             is
             done
             more
             effectually
             ,
             sensibly
             and
             heartily
             ,
             (
             as
             I
             shall
             further
             shew
             anon
             )
             than
             that
             which
             is
             done
             without
             it
             .
             Which
             made
             the
             Apostle
             pray
             for
             the
             
               Colossians
               ,
               That
            
             
             
               God
               would
               fill
               them
               with
               the
               knowledge
               of
               his
               Will
               ,
               in
               all
               wisdom
               ,
               and
               spiritual
               understanding
               ,
            
             Col.
             1.
             9.
             
             And
             for
             the
             Ephesians
             ,
             
               That
               God
               would
               give
               unto
               them
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Wisdom
               and
               Revelation
               in
               the
               knowledge
               of
               him
               ,
            
             Ephes.
             1.
             17.
             
             And
             so
             for
             the
             Philippians
             ,
             
               That
               God
               would
               make
               them
               abound
               in
               knowledge
               ,
               and
               in
               all
               judgment
               ,
            
             Phil.
             1.
             9.
             
          
           
             A
             suitable
             understanding
             is
             good
             in
             every
             thing
             a
             man
             undertakes
             ,
             either
             Civil
             or
             Spiritual
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             must
             be
             desired
             by
             all
             them
             that
             would
             be
             a
             Praying
             people
             .
          
           
             In
             my
             speaking
             to
             this
             ,
             I
             shall
             shew
             you
             what
             it
             is
             to
             pray
             with
             Understanding
             .
          
           
             Understanding
             is
             to
             be
             taken
             both
             for
             speaking
             in
             our
             mother-tongue
             ;
             and
             also
             experimentally
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             pass
             the
             first
             ,
             and
             treat
             only
             on
             the
             second
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             making
             of
             right
             Prayers
             ,
             it
             is
             to
             be
             required
             that
             there
             should
             be
             a
             good
             or
             spiritual
             understanding
             in
             all
             them
             who
             pray
             to
             God.
             
          
           
           
             First
             ,
             To
             pray
             with
             Understanding
             ,
             
               is
               to
               pray
               as
               being
               instructed
               by
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               in
               the
               understanding
               of
               the
               want
               of
               those
               things
               which
               the
               soul
               is
               to
               pray
               for
               .
            
          
           
             Though
             a
             man
             be
             in
             never
             so
             much
             need
             of
             pardon
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             deliverance
             from
             wrath
             to
             come
             ,
             yet
             if
             he
             understand
             not
             this
             ,
             he
             will
             either
             not
             desire
             them
             at
             all
             ,
             or
             else
             be
             so
             cold
             and
             luke-warm
             in
             his
             desires
             after
             them
             ,
             that
             God
             will
             even
             loath
             their
             frame
             of
             spirit
             in
             asking
             for
             them
             .
             Thus
             it
             was
             with
             the
             Church
             of
             the
             Laodiceans
             ,
             they
             wanted
             knowledge
             or
             spiritual
             understanding
             ;
             They
             knew
             not
             that
             they
             were
             
               poor
               ,
               wretched
               ,
               blind
               and
               naked
               :
            
             The
             cause
             whereof
             ,
             made
             them
             ,
             and
             all
             their
             services
             ,
             so
             loathsome
             to
             Christ
             ,
             that
             he
             threatens
             
               to
               spue
               them
               out
               of
               his
               mouth
               ,
            
             Rev.
             3.
             17.
             
          
           
             Men
             without
             understanding
             ,
             may
             say
             the
             same
             words
             in
             prayer
             as
             others
             do
             ,
             but
             if
             there
             be
             an
             understanding
             in
             the
             one
             ,
             and
             none
             in
             the
             other
             ;
             there
             is
             ,
             Oh
             there
             is
             a
             mighty
             difference
             in
             speaking
             the
             very
             same
             words
             !
             The
             
             one
             speaking
             it
             from
             a
             spiritual
             understanding
             of
             those
             things
             ,
             that
             he
             in
             words
             desires
             ;
             and
             the
             other
             words
             it
             only
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             all
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Spiritual
             understanding
             ,
             
               Espieth
               in
               the
               heart
               of
               God
               ,
               a
               readiness
               and
               willingness
               to
               give
               those
               things
               to
               the
               soul
               ,
               that
               it
               stands
               in
               need
               of
               .
            
          
           
             David
             by
             this
             could
             guess
             at
             the
             very
             thoughts
             of
             God
             towards
             him
             ,
             Psal.
             40.
             5.
             
          
           
             And
             thus
             it
             was
             with
             the
             woman
             of
             Canaan
             (
             Mat.
             15.
             22
             ,
             23
             ,
             24
             ,
             25
             ,
             26
             ,
             27
             ,
             28.
             )
             she
             did
             by
             Faith
             and
             a
             right
             Understanding
             ,
             discern
             (
             beyond
             all
             the
             rough
             carriage
             of
             Christ
             )
             tenderness
             and
             willingness
             in
             his
             heart
             to
             save
             ,
             which
             caused
             her
             to
             be
             vehement
             and
             earnest
             ,
             yea
             ,
             restless
             ,
             until
             she
             did
             enjoy
             the
             mercy
             she
             stood
             in
             need
             of
             .
          
           
             An
             understanding
             of
             the
             willingness
             that
             is
             in
             the
             heart
             of
             God
             to
             save
             sinners
             ,
             there
             is
             nothing
             will
             press
             the
             soul
             more
             to
             seek
             after
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             cry
             for
             pardon
             ,
             than
             it
             .
             If
             a
             man
             should
             
             see
             a
             Pearle
             ,
             worth
             an
             hundred
             pounds
             ,
             lye
             in
             a
             ditch
             ,
             yet
             ,
             if
             he
             understood
             not
             the
             value
             of
             it
             ,
             he
             would
             lightly
             pass
             it
             by
             ;
             but
             if
             he
             once
             get
             the
             knowledge
             of
             it
             ,
             he
             would
             venture
             up
             to
             the
             neck
             for
             it
             .
          
           
             So
             it
             is
             with
             souls
             concerning
             the
             things
             of
             God
             ;
             If
             a
             man
             once
             get
             an
             understanding
             of
             the
             worth
             of
             them
             ,
             then
             his
             heart
             ,
             nay
             ,
             the
             very
             strength
             of
             his
             soul
             runs
             after
             them
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             never
             leave
             crying
             till
             he
             have
             them
             .
          
           
             The
             two
             blind
             men
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             because
             they
             did
             certainly
             know
             that
             Jesus
             who
             was
             going
             by
             them
             ,
             was
             both
             able
             &
             willing
             to
             heal
             such
             infirmities
             as
             they
             were
             afflicted
             with
             ,
             therefore
             they
             cryed
             ,
             
               and
               the
               more
               they
               were
               rebuked
               ,
               the
               more
               they
               cryed
               ,
            
             Mat.
             20.
             29
             ,
             30
             ,
             31.
             
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             The
             understanding
             being
             spiritually
             enlightned
             ,
             
               hereby
               there
               is
               the
               way
            
             (
             as
             aforesaid
             )
             
               discovered
               ,
               through
               which
               the
               soul
               should
               come
               unto
               God
            
             ;
             which
             gives
             great
             encouragement
             unto
             it
             .
          
           
           
             It
             is
             else
             with
             a
             poor
             soul
             ,
             as
             with
             one
             who
             hath
             a
             work
             to
             do
             ,
             and
             if
             it
             be
             not
             done
             ,
             the
             danger
             is
             great
             ;
             if
             it
             be
             done
             ,
             so
             is
             the
             advantage
             :
             but
             he
             knows
             not
             how
             to
             begin
             ,
             nor
             how
             to
             proceed
             ,
             and
             so
             through
             discouragement
             ,
             le
             ts
             all
             alone
             ,
             and
             runs
             the
             hazard
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             The
             enlightened
             Understanding
             ,
             
               sees
               largeness
               enough
               in
               the
               Promises
               to
               encourage
               it
               to
               pray
               ,
            
             which
             still
             adds
             to
             it
             strength
             to
             strength
             .
             As
             when
             men
             promise
             such
             and
             such
             things
             to
             all
             that
             will
             come
             for
             them
             ,
             it
             is
             great
             encouragement
             to
             those
             that
             know
             what
             promises
             are
             made
             ,
             to
             come
             and
             ask
             for
             them
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             The
             Understanding
             being
             enlightned
             ,
             
               way
               is
               made
               for
               the
               soul
               to
               come
               to
               God
               with
               suitable
               arguments
               .
            
          
           
             Sometimes
             in
             a
             way
             of
             expostulation
             ,
             as
             
               Jacob
               ,
               Gen.
            
             32.
             9.
             
             Sometimes
             in
             way
             of
             supplication
             ;
             yet
             not
             in
             a
             verbal
             way
             only
             ,
             but
             even
             from
             the
             heart
             there
             is
             forced
             by
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             through
             the
             understanding
             ,
             such
             effectual
             Arguments
             ,
             as
             moveth
             the
             heart
             of
             God.
             
          
           
           
             When
             Ephraim
             gets
             a
             right
             Understanding
             of
             his
             own
             unseemly
             carriages
             towards
             the
             Lord
             ,
             then
             he
             begins
             to
             
               bemoan
               himself
            
             ,
             Jer.
             31.
             18
             ,
             19
             ,
             20.
             and
             in
             bemoaning
             of
             himself
             ,
             he
             useth
             such
             Arguments
             with
             the
             Lord
             ,
             that
             it
             affects
             his
             heart
             ,
             draws
             out
             forgiveness
             ,
             and
             makes
             Ephraim
             pleasant
             in
             his
             eyes
             ,
             through
             Jesus
             Christ
             our
             Lord.
             
               I
               have
               surely
               heard
               Ephraim
               bemoaning
               himself
               thus
            
             (
             saith
             God
             )
             
               Thou
               hast
               chastised
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               was
               chastised
               ;
               as
               a
               bullock
               unaccustomed
               to
               the
               yoak
               :
               turn
               thou
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               shall
               be
               turned
               ;
               for
               thou
               art
               the
               Lord
               my
               God.
               Surely
               after
               I
               was
               turned
               ,
               I
               repented
               ,
               and
               after
               I
               was
               instructed
            
             (
             or
             had
             a
             right
             understanding
             of
             my self
             )
             
               I
               smote
               upon
               my
               thigh
               .
               I
               was
               ashamed
               ,
               yea
               ,
               even
               confounded
               ,
               because
               I
               did
               bear
               the
               reproach
               of
               my
               youth
               .
            
          
           
             These
             be
             
             Ephraim's
             complaints
             and
             bemoanings
             of
             himself
             ;
             at
             which
             the
             Lord
             breaks
             forth
             into
             these
             heart-melting
             expressions
             ,
             saying
             ,
          
           
             
               Is
               Ephraim
               my
               dear
               Son
               ?
               Is
               he
               a
               pleasant
               Chlld
               ?
               For
               since
               I
               spake
               unto
               him
               ,
            
             
             
               I
               do
               earnestly
               remember
               him
               still
               ;
               therefore
               my
               bowels
               are
               troubled
               for
               him
               :
               I
               will
               surely
               have
               mercy
               upon
               him
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord.
               
            
          
           
             Thus
             you
             see
             ,
             that
             as
             it
             is
             required
             to
             pray
             with
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             so
             it
             is
             to
             pray
             with
             the
             Understanding
             also
             .
          
           
             And
             to
             illustrate
             what
             hath
             been
             spoken
             by
             a
             similitude
             ;
          
           
             Set
             the
             case
             there
             should
             come
             two
             a
             begging
             to
             your
             door
             ,
             the
             one
             is
             a
             poor
             ,
             lame
             ,
             wounded
             ,
             and
             almost
             starved
             creature
             ;
             the
             other
             is
             a
             healthful
             lusty
             person
             .
          
           
             These
             two
             use
             the
             same
             words
             in
             their
             begging
             ,
             the
             one
             saith
             he
             is
             almost
             starved
             ,
             so
             doth
             the
             other
             ;
             but
             yet
             the
             man
             that
             is
             indeed
             the
             poor
             ,
             lame
             ,
             or
             maimed
             person
             ,
             he
             speaks
             with
             more
             sence
             ,
             feeling
             and
             understanding
             of
             the
             misery
             that
             is
             mentioned
             in
             their
             begging
             ,
             than
             the
             other
             can
             do
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             discovered
             more
             by
             his
             affectionate
             speaking
             ,
             his
             bemoaning
             himself
             :
             His
             pain
             and
             poverty
             makes
             him
             speak
             more
             in
             a
             spirit
             of
             lamentation
             
             than
             the
             other
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             be
             pittied
             sooner
             than
             the
             other
             ,
             by
             all
             those
             that
             have
             the
             least
             dram
             of
             natural
             affection
             or
             pitty
             .
          
           
             Just
             thus
             it
             is
             with
             God.
             
          
           
             There
             are
             some
             who
             out
             of
             custome
             and
             formality
             ,
             go
             and
             pray
             ;
             there
             are
             others
             ,
             who
             go
             in
             the
             bitterness
             of
             their
             spirit
             :
             The
             one
             he
             prayes
             out
             of
             bare
             notion
             ,
             and
             naked
             knowledge
             ;
             the
             other
             hath
             his
             words
             forced
             from
             him
             by
             the
             anguish
             of
             his
             soul.
             Surely
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             man
             that
             God
             will
             look
             at
             ,
             even
             
               him
               that
               is
               of
               a
               humble
               and
               contrite
               spirit
               ,
               and
               that
               trembleth
               at
               his
               word
               ,
            
             Isa.
             66.
             2.
             
          
           
             Sixthly
             ,
             An
             Understanding
             well
             enlightened
             ,
             is
             of
             admirable
             use
             also
             ,
             
               both
               as
               to
               the
               matter
               and
               manner
               of
               Prayer
               .
            
          
           
             He
             that
             hath
             his
             understanding
             well
             exercised
             ,
             to
             discern
             between
             good
             and
             evil
             ,
             and
             in
             it
             placed
             a
             sence
             ,
             either
             of
             the
             misery
             of
             man
             ,
             or
             the
             mercy
             of
             God
             ;
             that
             soul
             hath
             no
             need
             of
             the
             Writings
             of
             other
             men
             ,
             to
             teach
             him
             
             by
             Forms
             of
             Prayer
             :
             For
             as
             he
             that
             feels
             the
             pain
             ,
             needs
             not
             to
             be
             learned
             to
             cry
             ,
             Oh!
             Even
             so
             he
             that
             hath
             his
             Understanding
             opened
             by
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             needs
             not
             so
             to
             be
             taught
             of
             other
             mens
             prayers
             ,
             as
             that
             he
             cannot
             pray
             without
             them
             :
             the
             present
             sence
             ,
             feeling
             ,
             and
             pressure
             that
             lyeth
             upon
             his
             spirit
             ,
             provokes
             him
             to
             groan
             out
             his
             requests
             unto
             the
             Lord.
             
          
           
             When
             David
             had
             the
             pains
             of
             hell
             catching
             hold
             on
             him
             ,
             and
             the
             sorrows
             of
             hell
             compassing
             him
             about
             ,
             he
             needed
             not
             a
             
               Bishop
               in
               a
               Surplice
            
             ,
             to
             learn
             him
             to
             say
             ,
             
               O
               Lord
               I
               beseech
               thee
               deliver
               my
               soul
               ,
            
             Psal.
             116.
             3
             ,
             4.
             
             Or
             to
             look
             into
             a
             Book
             ,
             to
             teach
             him
             in
             a
             Form
             to
             pour
             out
             his
             heart
             before
             God.
             
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             heart
             of
             sick
             men
             ,
             in
             their
             pain
             and
             sickness
             ,
             to
             vent
             it self
             for
             ease
             ,
             by
             dolorous
             groans
             and
             complaints
             to
             them
             that
             stand
             by
             .
          
           
             Thus
             it
             was
             with
             David
             ,
             in
             Psal.
             38.
             to
             the
             12.
             vers
             .
             And
             thus
             ,
             Blessed
             be
             the
             Lord
             ,
             it
             is
             with
             them
             that
             are
             indued
             with
             the
             Grace
             of
             God.
             
          
           
           
             Seventhly
             ,
             It
             is
             necessary
             that
             there
             be
             an
             enlightened
             Understanding
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             that
             the
             soul
             be
             kept
             in
             a
             continuation
             of
             the
             duty
             of
             Prayer
             .
          
           
             The
             People
             of
             God
             are
             not
             ignorant
             how
             many
             wiles
             ,
             tricks
             ,
             and
             temptations
             the
             Devil
             hath
             to
             make
             a
             poor
             soul
             ,
             who
             is
             truly
             willing
             to
             have
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             that
             upon
             Christ's
             terms
             too
             ;
             I
             say
             ,
             to
             tempt
             that
             soul
             to
             be
             weary
             of
             seeking
             the
             face
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             think
             that
             God
             is
             not
             willing
             to
             have
             mercy
             on
             such
             a
             one
             as
             him
             .
             I
             ,
             saith
             Satan
             ,
             thou
             mayest
             pray
             indeed
             ,
             but
             thou
             shalt
             not
             prevail
             .
             Thou
             seest
             thine
             heart
             is
             hard
             ,
             cold
             ,
             dull
             and
             dead
             ,
             thou
             dost
             not
             pray
             with
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             thou
             dost
             not
             pray
             in
             good
             earnest
             ,
             thy
             thoughts
             are
             running
             after
             other
             things
             ,
             when
             thou
             pretendest
             to
             pray
             to
             God.
             Away
             hypocrite
             ,
             go
             no
             further
             ,
             it
             is
             but
             in
             vain
             to
             strive
             any
             longer
             .
          
           
             Here
             now
             ,
             if
             the
             soul
             be
             not
             well
             informed
             in
             its
             understanding
             ,
             it
             will
             presently
             cry
             out
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               hath
               forsaken
               me
               ,
               and
               my
               God
               hath
               forgotten
               me
               ,
            
             
             Isa.
             45.
             27.
             
             Whereas
             the
             soul
             rightly
             informed
             and
             enlightned
             ,
             saith
             ,
             
               Well
               ,
               I
               will
               seek
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               wait
               ;
               I
               will
               not
               leave
               off
               ,
               though
               the
               Lord
               keep
               silence
               ,
               and
               speak
               not
               one
               word
               of
               comfort
               ,
            
             Isa.
             49.
             14.
             
          
           
             He
             loved
             Jacob
             dearly
             ,
             and
             yet
             he
             made
             him
             wrestle
             before
             he
             had
             the
             blessing
             ,
             Gen.
             32.
             25
             ,
             26
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             Seeming
             delayes
             in
             God
             are
             no
             tokens
             of
             his
             displeasure
             ;
             he
             may
             hide
             his
             face
             from
             his
             dearest
             Saints
             ,
             Isa.
             8.
             17.
             
             He
             loves
             to
             keep
             his
             People
             praying
             ,
             and
             to
             find
             them
             ever
             knocking
             at
             the
             gate
             of
             Heaven
             :
             It
             may
             be
             ,
             sayes
             the
             soul
             ,
             the
             Lord
             tries
             me
             ,
             or
             he
             loves
             to
             hear
             me
             groan
             out
             my
             condition
             before
             him
             .
          
           
             The
             woman
             of
             Canaan
             would
             not
             take
             seeming
             denyals
             for
             real
             ones
             ;
             she
             knew
             the
             Lord
             was
             gracious
             ,
             Luke
             18.
             1
             ,
             to
             6.
             
             And
             the
             Lord
             will
             avenge
             his
             People
             ,
             though
             he
             bear
             long
             with
             them
             .
             The
             Lord
             hath
             waited
             longer
             upon
             me
             ,
             than
             I
             have
             waited
             on
             him
             ▪
             And
             thus
             it
             was
             with
             
               David
               ,
               I
            
             
             
               waited
               patiently
            
             ,
             saith
             he
             :
             That
             is
             ,
             It
             was
             long
             before
             the
             Lord
             answered
             me
             ,
             though
             at
             the
             last
             
               he
               enclined
               his
               ear
               unto
               me
               ,
               and
               heard
               my
               cry
               ,
            
             Psal.
             40.
             1.
             
          
           
             And
             the
             most
             excellent
             remedy
             for
             this
             ,
             is
             an
             understanding
             well
             informed
             and
             enlightened
             .
          
           
             Alas
             ,
             how
             many
             poor
             souls
             are
             there
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             truly
             fear
             the
             Lord
             ;
             who
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             not
             well
             informed
             in
             their
             understanding
             ,
             are
             oft
             ready
             to
             give
             up
             all
             for
             lost
             ,
             upon
             almost
             every
             trick
             and
             temptation
             of
             Satan
             !
             The
             Lord
             pitty
             them
             ,
             and
             help
             them
             to
             pray
             with
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             Understanding
             also
             .
          
           
             Much
             of
             mine
             own
             experience
             could
             I
             here
             discover
             ;
             when
             I
             have
             been
             in
             my
             fits
             of
             agonies
             of
             spirit
             ,
             I
             have
             been
             strongly
             perswaded
             to
             leave
             off
             ,
             and
             to
             seek
             the
             Lord
             no
             longer
             ;
             but
             being
             made
             to
             understand
             ,
             what
             great
             sinners
             the
             Lord
             hath
             had
             mercy
             upon
             ;
             and
             how
             large
             his
             Promises
             were
             still
             to
             sinners
             ;
             and
             that
             it
             was
             not
             the
             whole
             ,
             but
             the
             sick
             ,
             not
             the
             righteous
             ,
             but
             the
             
             sinner
             ,
             not
             the
             full
             ,
             but
             the
             empty
             ,
             that
             he
             extended
             his
             Grace
             and
             Mercy
             unto
             .
          
           
             This
             made
             me
             ,
             through
             the
             assistance
             of
             his
             holy
             Spirit
             ,
             to
             cleave
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             hang
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             yet
             to
             cry
             ,
             though
             for
             the
             present
             he
             made
             no
             answer
             ;
             and
             the
             Lord
             help
             all
             his
             poor
             tempted
             and
             afflicted
             People
             to
             do
             the
             like
             ,
             and
             to
             continue
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             long
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             saying
             of
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             Hab.
             2.
             3.
             
             And
             to
             help
             them
             (
             to
             that
             end
             )
             to
             pray
             not
             by
             the
             inventions
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             their
             stinted
             Forms
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             Understanding
             also
             .
          
           
             And
             now
             to
             answer
             a
             Query
             or
             two
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             pass
             on
             to
             the
             next
             thing
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Query
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 what
                 would
                 you
                 have
                 us
                 poor
                 creatures
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 that
                 cannot
                 tell
                 how
                 to
                 pray
                 ;
                 the
                 Lord
                 knows
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 either
                 how
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 or
                 what
                 to
                 pray
                 for
                 ?
              
            
             
               
               
                 Answer
                 .
              
               
                 Poor
                 heart
                 !
                 Thou
                 canst
                 not
                 (
                 thou
                 complainest
                 )
                 pray
                 .
                 Canst
                 thou
                 see
                 thy
                 misery
                 ?
                 Hath
                 God
                 shewed
                 thee
                 that
                 thou
                 art
                 by
                 nature
                 under
                 the
                 Curse
                 of
                 his
                 Law
                 ?
                 If
                 so
                 ,
                 do
                 not
                 mistake
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 thou
                 dost
                 groan
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 most
                 bitterly
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 perswaded
                 ,
                 thou
                 canst
                 scarcely
                 be
                 found
                 doing
                 any
                 thing
                 in
                 thy
                 calling
                 ,
                 but
                 Prayer
                 breaks
                 from
                 thy
                 heart
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 28.
                 
                 Have
                 not
                 thy
                 groans
                 gone
                 up
                 to
                 Heaven
                 from
                 every
                 corner
                 of
                 thy
                 house
                 ?
                 I
                 know
                 't
                 is
                 thus
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 also
                 ,
                 doth
                 thine
                 own
                 sorrowful
                 heart
                 witness
                 thy
                 tears
                 ,
                 thy
                 forgetfulness
                 of
                 thy
                 calling
                 ,
                 
                   &
                   c
                
                 ?
                 Is
                 not
                 thy
                 heart
                 so
                 full
                 of
                 desires
                 after
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 another
                 World
                 ,
                 that
                 many
                 times
                 thou
                 dost
                 even
                 forget
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ?
                 Prethee
                 reade
                 this
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 Job
                 23.
                 12.
                 
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Query
                 2.
                 
              
               
                 Yea
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 I
                 go
                 into
                 secret
                 ,
                 and
                 intend
                 
                 to
                 pour
                 out
                 my
                 soul
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 I
                 can
                 scarce
                 say
                 any
                 thing
                 at
                 all
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Answer
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sweet
                 soul
                 !
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 thy
                 words
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 so
                 much
                 regards
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 mind
                 thee
                 ,
                 except
                 thou
                 comest
                 before
                 him
                 with
                 some
                 eloquent
                 Oration
                 .
                 His
                 eye
                 is
                 on
                 the
                 brokenness
                 of
                 thine
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 makes
                 the
                 very
                 bowels
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 run
                 over
                 ,
                 
                   A
                   broken
                   and
                   a
                   contrite
                   heart
                   ,
                   O
                   God
                   ,
                   thou
                   wilt
                   not
                   despise
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 51.
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 stopping
                 of
                 thy
                 words
                 may
                 arise
                 from
                 over
                 much
                 trouble
                 in
                 thy
                 heart
                 .
                 David
                 was
                 so
                 troubled
                 sometimes
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   he
                   could
                   not
                   speak
                
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 77.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 But
                 this
                 may
                 comfort
                 all
                 such
                 sorrowful
                 hearts
                 as
                 thou
                 art
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 through
                 the
                 anguish
                 of
                 thy
                 spirit
                 speak
                 much
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 holy
                 Spirit
                 stirs
                 up
                 in
                 thine
                 heart
                 groans
                 and
                 sighs
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 the
                 more
                 vehement
                 ;
                 when
                 the
                 mouth
                 is
                 hindred
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 Spirit
                 is
                 not
                 .
              
               
               
                 Moses
                 ,
                 as
                 aforesaid
                 ,
                 made
                 Heaven
                 ring
                 again
                 with
                 his
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 when
                 (
                 that
                 we
                 read
                 of
                 )
                 not
                 one
                 word
                 come
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 mouth
                 .
                 But.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 If
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 more
                 fully
                 express
                 thy self
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 study
                 ,
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Thy
                 filthy
                 Estate
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Gods
                 Promises
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 The
                 Heart
                 of
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 Which
                 thou
                 mayest
                 know
                 or
                 discern
                 ;
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 By
                 his
                 condescention
                 and
                 bloodshed
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 By
                 the
                 mercy
                 he
                 hath
                 extended
                 to
                 great
                 sinners
                 formerly
                 ;
                 and
                 plead
                 thine
                 own
                 vileness
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 bemoaning
                 ,
                 Christs
                 blood
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 expostulation
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 thy
                 prayers
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 mercy
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 extended
                 to
                 other
                 great
                 sinners
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 his
                 rich
                 promises
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 be
                 much
                 upon
                 thy
                 heart
                 .
                 Yet
                 let
                 me
                 counsel
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Take
                 heed
                 that
                 thou
                 content
                 not
                 thy self
                 with
                 words
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 thou
                 do
                 not
                 think
                 that
                 God
                 looks
                 only
                 at
                 them
                 neither
                 .
                 But.
                 
              
               
               
                 3.
                 
                 However
                 ,
                 whether
                 thy
                 words
                 be
                 few
                 or
                 many
                 ,
                 let
                 thine
                 heart
                 go
                 with
                 them
                 ;
                 
                   And
                   then
                   shalt
                   thou
                   seek
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   find
                   him
                   ,
                   when
                   thou
                   shalt
                   seek
                   him
                   with
                   thy
                   whole
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 Jer.
                 29.
                 13.
                 
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Object
                 .
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 though
                 you
                 have
                 seemed
                 to
                 speak
                 against
                 any
                 other
                 way
                 of
                 praying
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 yet
                 here
                 you
                 your self
                 can
                 give
                 direction
                 how
                 to
                 pray
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Answ.
                 
              
               
                 We
                 ought
                 to
                 prompt
                 one
                 another
                 forward
                 to
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 though
                 we
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 make
                 for
                 each
                 other
                 Forms
                 of
                 Prayer
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 exhort
                 to
                 pray
                 with
                 Christian
                 direction
                 is
                 one
                 thing
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 make
                 stinted
                 Formes
                 for
                 the
                 tying
                 up
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 another
                 thing
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Apostle
                 gives
                 them
                 no
                 form
                 to
                 pray
                 withal
                 ,
                 yet
                 directs
                 to
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 Ephes.
                 6.
                 18.
                 
                 Rom.
                 15.
                 30
                 ,
                 31
                 ,
                 32.
                 
              
               
               
                 Let
                 no
                 man
                 therefore
                 conclude
                 ,
                 that
                 because
                 we
                 may
                 with
                 allowance
                 give
                 instructions
                 and
                 directions
                 to
                 pray
                 ;
                 that
                 therefore
                 it
                 is
                 lawful
                 to
                 make
                 for
                 each
                 other
                 Forms
                 of
                 Prayer
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Object
                 .
                 2.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 if
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 use
                 Forms
                 of
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 how
                 shall
                 we
                 teach
                 our
                 Children
                 to
                 pray
                 ?
              
            
             
               
                 Answ.
                 
              
               
                 My
                 judgement
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 men
                 go
                 the
                 wrong
                 way
                 to
                 learn
                 their
                 Children
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 in
                 going
                 about
                 so
                 soon
                 to
                 learn
                 them
                 any
                 set
                 company
                 of
                 words
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 the
                 common
                 use
                 of
                 poor
                 creatures
                 to
                 do
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 to
                 me
                 it
                 seems
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 better
                 way
                 for
                 people
                 betimes
                 to
                 tell
                 their
                 Children
                 what
                 cursed
                 creatures
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 they
                 are
                 under
                 the
                 wrath
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 original
                 and
                 actual
                 sin
                 :
                 also
                 to
                 tell
                 them
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 God's
                 wrath
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 duration
                 of
                 the
                 
                 misery
                 ;
                 which
                 if
                 they
                 conscientiously
                 do
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 sooner
                 learn
                 their
                 Children
                 to
                 pray
                 than
                 they
                 do
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 way
                 that
                 men
                 learn
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 by
                 conviction
                 for
                 sin
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 make
                 our
                 sweet
                 babes
                 do
                 so
                 too
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 other
                 way
                 ,
                 namely
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 busie
                 in
                 learning
                 Children
                 forms
                 of
                 prayer
                 ,
                 before
                 they
                 know
                 any
                 thing
                 else
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 next
                 way
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 cursed
                 hypocrites
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 puff
                 them
                 up
                 with
                 pride
                 .
                 Learn
                 therefore
                 your
                 Children
                 to
                 know
                 their
                 wretched
                 state
                 ,
                 and
                 condition
                 ;
                 tell
                 them
                 of
                 hell
                 fire
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 of
                 damnation
                 ,
                 and
                 salvation
                 :
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 escape
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 enjoy
                 the
                 other
                 (
                 if
                 you
                 know
                 it
                 your selves
                 )
                 and
                 this
                 will
                 make
                 tears
                 run
                 down
                 your
                 sweet
                 babes
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 hearty
                 groans
                 flow
                 from
                 their
                 hearts
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 also
                 you
                 may
                 tell
                 them
                 to
                 whom
                 they
                 should
                 pray
                 ,
                 and
                 through
                 whom
                 they
                 should
                 pray
                 ;
                 you
                 may
                 tell
                 them
                 also
                 of
                 Gods
                 promises
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 former
                 grace
                 extended
                 to
                 sinners
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 word
                 .
              
               
               
                 Ah!
                 poor
                 sweet
                 babes
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 open
                 their
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 holy
                 Christians
                 .
                 Saith
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   Come
                   ye
                   Children
                   ,
                   hearken
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   teach
                   you
                   the
                   fear
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Psalm
                 34.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 He
                 doth
                 not
                 say
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 nuzle
                 you
                 up
                 in
                 a
                 form
                 of
                 Prayer
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   teach
                   you
                   the
                   fear
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ;
                 Which
                 is
                 to
                 see
                 their
                 sad
                 states
                 by
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 instructed
                 in
                 the
                 Truth
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 which
                 doth
                 through
                 the
                 Spirit
                 beget
                 Prayer
                 in
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 in
                 Truth
                 learns
                 it
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 learn
                 them
                 this
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 will
                 their
                 hearts
                 run
                 out
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 Prayer
                 .
              
               
                 God
                 did
                 never
                 account
                 Paul
                 a
                 praying
                 man
                 ,
                 until
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 
                   convinced
                   and
                   converted
                   man
                   ,
                   Acts
                
                 9.
                 11.
                 no
                 more
                 will
                 it
                 be
                 with
                 any
                 else
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Object
                 .
                 3.
                 
              
               
                 
                   But
                   we
                   find
                   that
                   the
                   Disciples
                   desired
                   that
                   Christ
                   would
                   teach
                   them
                   to
                   pray
                   ,
                   as
                
                 John
                 
                   also
                   taught
                   his
                   Disciples
                   ;
                   and
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   that
                   thereupon
                   he
                   taught
                   them
                   that
                   form
                   ,
                   called
                   the
                
                 Lord's
                 Prayer
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Answ.
                 
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 To
                 be
                 taught
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 not
                 only
                 they
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 desire
                 ;
                 and
                 seeing
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 here
                 in
                 his
                 person
                 to
                 teach
                 us
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 teach
                 us
                 by
                 his
                 Word
                 and
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 Spirit
                 is
                 it
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 said
                 he
                 would
                 send
                 to
                 supply
                 in
                 his
                 room
                 when
                 he
                 went
                 away
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 John
                 14.
                 16.
                 and
                 16.
                 7.
                 
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 As
                 to
                 that
                 called
                 
                   a
                   Form
                
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 think
                 that
                 Christ
                 intended
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 stinted
                 Form
                 of
                 Prayer
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Because
                 he
                 himself
                 layeth
                 it
                 down
                 diversly
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 seen
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 compare
                 Matth.
                 6.
                 with
                 Luke
                 11.
                 
                 Whereas
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 intended
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 set-form
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 not
                 have
                 been
                 so
                 laid
                 down
                 :
                 for
                 a
                 set-form
                 is
                 so
                 many
                 words
                 and
                 no
                 more
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 VVe
                 do
                 not
                 find
                 that
                 the
                 Apostles
                 did
                 ever
                 observe
                 it
                 as
                 such
                 ,
                 
                 neither
                 did
                 they
                 admonish
                 others
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 :
                 Search
                 all
                 their
                 Epistles
                 :
                 Yet
                 surely
                 they
                 ,
                 both
                 for
                 knowledge
                 to
                 discern
                 ,
                 and
                 faithfulness
                 to
                 practise
                 ,
                 were
                 as
                 eminent
                 as
                 any
                 He
                 ever
                 since
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 which
                 would
                 impose
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 in
                 a
                 word
                 ;
                 Christ
                 by
                 those
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   Our
                   Father
                   ,
                   &c.
                
                 doth
                 instruct
                 his
                 People
                 what
                 Rules
                 they
                 should
                 observe
                 in
                 their
                 Prayers
                 to
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   That
                   they
                   should
                   pray
                   in
                   Faith.
                   
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   To
                   God
                   in
                   the
                   Heavens
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   For
                   such
                   things
                   as
                   are
                   according
                   to
                   his
                   Will
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                   
                     Pray
                     thus
                  
                   ;
                   or
                   ,
                   
                     after
                     this
                     manner
                  
                   .
                
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Object
                 .
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 
                   But
                   Christ
                   bids
                   ,
                   Pray
                   for
                   the
                   Spirit
                   :
                   This
                   implieth
                   ,
                   that
                   men
                   without
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   may
                   notwithstanding
                   pray
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   heard
                   :
                   See
                
                 Luke
                 11.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
              
            
             
               
               
                 Answ.
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 speech
                 of
                 Christ
                 there
                 is
                 directed
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 vers
                 .
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Christ
                 his
                 telling
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 would
                 give
                 his
                 holy
                 Spirit
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 ask
                 him
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 understood
                 of
                 giving
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 For
                 still
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 Disciples
                 spoken
                 to
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 a
                 measure
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 already
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 saith
                 ,
                 When
                 ye
                 pray
                 ,
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Our
                   Father
                
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 
                   I
                   say
                   unto
                   you
                
                 ,
                 vers
                 .
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   say
                   unto
                   you
                
                 ,
                 vers
                 .
                 9.
                 
                 
                   If
                   ye
                   then
                   ,
                   being
                   evil
                   ,
                   know
                   how
                   to
                   give
                   good
                   things
                   to
                   your
                   children
                   ,
                   how
                   much
                   more
                   shall
                   your
                   heavenly
                   Father
                   give
                   the
                   holy
                   Spirit
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   ask
                   him
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Christians
                 ought
                 to
                 pray
                 for
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 for
                 more
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 though
                 God
                 hath
                 endued
                 them
                 with
                 it
                 already
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               
                 Quest.
                 
              
               
                 Then
                 would
                 you
                 have
                 none
                 pray
                 ,
                 but
                 those
                 that
                 know
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 Disciples
                 of
                 Christ
                 ?
              
            
             
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Let
                 every
                 soul
                 that
                 would
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 pour
                 out
                 it self
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 although
                 it
                 cannot
                 ,
                 through
                 temptation
                 ,
                 conclude
                 it self
                 a
                 Child
                 of
                 God.
                 And
                 ,
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 I
                 know
                 if
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 be
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 as
                 natural
                 to
                 thee
                 to
                 groan
                 out
                 thy
                 condition
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 a
                 sucking
                 Childe
                 to
                 cry
                 for
                 the
                 breast
                 .
              
               
                 Prayer
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 things
                 that
                 discovereth
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Christian
                 ,
                 Acts
                 9.
                 12.
                 
                 But
                 yet
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 right
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 such
                 Prayer
                 as
                 followeth
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 First
                 ,
                 To
                 desire
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 for
                 Himself
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Love
                 ,
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Glory
                 .
                 For
                 right
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 runs
                 onely
                 to
                 God
                 through
                 Christ
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 centers
                 in
                 him
                 ▪
                 and
                 in
                 him
                 alone
                 ;
                 
                   Whom
                   have
                   I
                   in
                   Heaven
                   but
                   thee
                   ?
                   and
                   there
                   is
                   none
                   in
                   Earth
                   that
                   I
                   desire
                
                 (
                 long
                 for
                 ,
                 or
                 seek
                 after
                 )
                 
                   besides
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 73.
                 25.
                 
              
            
             
               
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 soul
                 might
                 enjoy
                 continual
                 Communion
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 both
                 here
                 and
                 hereafter
                 .
                 
                   I
                   shall
                   be
                   satisfied
                   ,
                   when
                   I
                   awake
                   ,
                   with
                   thine
                   Image
                   ,
                   or
                   in
                   thy
                   likeness
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 17.
                 15.
                 
                 
                   For
                   in
                   thee
                   we
                   groan
                   earnestly
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 2.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 Right
                 Prayer
                 is
                 accompanied
                 with
                 a
                 continual
                 labour
                 after
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 prayed
                 for
                 .
                 
                   My
                   soul
                   waiteth
                   for
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   more
                   than
                   they
                   that
                   watch
                   for
                   the
                   morning
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 130.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   arise
                   now
                   ,
                   and
                   seek
                   him
                   whom
                   my
                   soul
                   loveth
                   ,
                
                 Cant.
                 3.
                 2.
                 
              
               
                 For
                 mark
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 two
                 things
                 that
                 provoke
                 to
                 Prayer
                 :
                 One
                 is
                 ,
                 a
                 detestation
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 ;
                 The
                 other
                 is
                 ,
                 a
                 longing
                 desire
                 after
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 an
                 holy
                 and
                 undefiled
                 state
                 and
                 inheritance
                 .
              
               
                 Compare
                 but
                 this
                 one
                 thing
                 with
                 most
                 of
                 the
                 Prayers
                 that
                 are
                 made
                 by
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 finde
                 them
                 but
                 mock-prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 breathings
                 of
                 an
                 abominable
                 spirit
                 ;
                 for
                 even
                 the
                 
                 most
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 either
                 not
                 pray
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 only
                 endeavour
                 to
                 mock
                 God
                 and
                 the
                 world
                 by
                 so
                 doing
                 :
                 for
                 ,
                 do
                 but
                 compare
                 their
                 prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 their
                 lives
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 may
                 easily
                 see
                 that
                 the
                 thing
                 included
                 in
                 their
                 prayer
                 is
                 the
                 least
                 looked
                 after
                 by
                 their
                 lives
                 .
                 Oh
                 sad
                 Hypocrites
                 !
              
            
             
               
                 Thus
                 have
                 I
                 briefly
                 shewed
                 you
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   VVhat
                   Prayer
                   is
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   What
                   it
                   is
                   to
                   pray
                   with
                   the
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   VVhat
                   it
                   is
                   to
                   pray
                   with
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   the
                   Understanding
                   also
                   .
                
              
               
                 I
                 shall
                 now
                 speak
                 a
                 word
                 or
                 two
                 of
                 Application
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 conclude
                 ,
                 with
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   
                     A
                     word
                     of
                     Information
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   
                     A
                     word
                     of
                     Encouragement
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   
                     A
                     word
                     of
                     Rebuke
                  
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           
           
             USE
             I.
             A
             Word
             of
             Information
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             first
             ,
             to
             inform
             you
             ,
             That
             as
             Prayer
             is
             the
             duty
             of
             every
             one
             of
             the
             Children
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             carried
             on
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             in
             the
             soul
             :
             So
             every
             one
             that
             doth
             but
             offer
             to
             take
             upon
             him
             to
             pray
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             had
             need
             be
             very
             wary
             ,
             and
             go
             about
             that
             work
             especially
             ,
             with
             the
             Dread
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             with
             hopes
             of
             the
             Mercy
             of
             God
             through
             Jesus
             Christ.
             
          
           
             Prayer
             is
             an
             Ordinance
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             which
             a
             man
             draws
             very
             near
             to
             God
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             calleth
             for
             so
             much
             the
             more
             of
             the
             assistance
             of
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             help
             a
             soul
             to
             pray
             ,
             as
             becomes
             one
             that
             is
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             him
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             shame
             for
             a
             man
             to
             behave
             himself
             irreverently
             before
             a
             King
             but
             a
             sin
             to
             do
             so
             before
             God.
             And
             a
             
             a
             King
             (
             if
             wise
             )
             is
             not
             pleased
             with
             an
             Oration
             made
             up
             with
             unseemly
             words
             and
             gestures
             ;
             
               So
               God
               takes
               no
               pleasure
               in
               the
               sacrifice
               of
               fools
               ,
            
             Eccles.
             5.
             1
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             long
             discourses
             ,
             nor
             eloquent
             tongues
             ,
             that
             are
             the
             things
             which
             are
             pleasing
             in
             the
             ears
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
             but
             
               a
               humble
               ,
               broken
               and
               contrite
               heart
               ,
            
             (
             Psal.
             51.
             17.
             
             Isa.
             57.
             15.
             
             )
             that
             is
             sweet
             in
             the
             nostrils
             of
             the
             heavenly
             Majesty
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             for
             information
             ,
             know
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             these
             
               Five
               Things
            
             that
             are
             obstructions
             to
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             even
             make
             void
             the
             requests
             of
             the
             creature
             .
          
           
             
               First
               .
            
             
               When
               men
               regard
               iniquity
               in
               their
               hearts
               ,
               at
               the
               time
               of
               their
               Prayers
               before
               God.
               
                 If
                 I
                 regard
                 iniquity
                 in
                 my
                 heart
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 not
                 hear
                 my
                 Prayer
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               66.
               18.
               
               For
               the
               preventing
               of
               temptation
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               misunderstanding
               of
               this
               ,
               may
               seize
               thy
               heart
               ;
               when
               there
               is
               a
               secret
               love
               to
               that
               
               very
               thing
               ,
               which
               thou
               with
               thy
               dissembling
               lips
               dost
               ask
               for
               strength
               against
               .
               For
               this
               is
               the
               wickedness
               of
               man's
               heart
               ,
               that
               it
               will
               even
               love
               ,
               and
               hold
               fast
               that
               ,
               which
               with
               the
               mouth
               it
               prayeth
               against
               ;
               and
               of
               this
               sort
               are
               they
               ,
               
                 that
                 honour
                 God
                 with
                 their
                 mouth
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 heart
                 is
                 far
                 from
                 him
                 ,
              
               Ezek.
               33.
               31.
               
            
             
               O
               how
               ugly
               would
               it
               be
               in
               our
               eyes
               ,
               if
               we
               should
               see
               a
               beggar
               ask
               an
               alms
               ,
               with
               intention
               to
               throw
               it
               to
               the
               dogs
               !
               Or
               ,
               that
               should
               say
               with
               one
               breath
               ,
               Pray
               you
               bestow
               this
               upon
               me
               ;
               and
               with
               the
               next
               ,
               I
               beseech
               you
               give
               it
               me
               not
               .
               And
               yet
               thus
               it
               is
               with
               these
               kind
               of
               persons
               ;
               with
               their
               mouth
               they
               say
               ,
               
                 Thy
                 Will
                 be
                 done
              
               ;
               and
               with
               their
               hearts
               nothing
               less
               .
               With
               their
               mouth
               say
               ▪
               
                 Hallowed
                 be
                 thy
                 Name
              
               ;
               and
               with
               their
               hearts
               and
               lives
               ,
               they
               delight
               to
               dishonour
               him
               all
               the
               day
               long
               .
            
             
               These
               be
               the
               prayers
               that
               become
               sin
               ,
               Psal.
               109.
               7.
               and
               though
               they
               put
               them
               up
               often
               ,
               yet
               the
               Lord
               
               will
               never
               answer
               them
               ,
               2
               Sam.
               22.
               42.
               
            
          
           
             
               Secondly
               .
            
             
               When
               men
               pray
               for
               a
               shew
               to
               be
               heard
               ,
               and
               thought
               some
               body
               in
               Religion
               ,
               and
               the
               like
               .
            
             
               These
               prayers
               also
               fall
               far
               short
               of
               God's
               approbation
               ,
               and
               are
               never
               like
               to
               be
               answered
               ,
               in
               reference
               unto
               eternal
               life
               .
            
             
               There
               are
               two
               sorts
               of
               men
               that
               pray
               to
               this
               end
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Your
               Trencher-Chaplains
               ,
               that
               thrust
               themselves
               into
               great
               mens
               Families
               ,
               pretending
               the
               Worship
               of
               God
               ,
               when
               in
               truth
               the
               great
               business
               is
               their
               own
               Bellies
               :
               which
               were
               notably
               painted
               out
               by
               Ahab's
               Prophets
               ,
               1
               King.
               18.
               19.
               and
               also
               Nebuchadnezzars
               wise
               men
               ,
               Dan.
               2.
               who
               though
               they
               pretended
               great
               devotion
               ,
               yet
               their
               lusts
               and
               their
               bellies
               were
               the
               great
               things
               aimed
               at
               by
               them
               in
               all
               their
               pieces
               of
               devotion
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Them
               also
               that
               seek
               repute
               and
               applause
               for
               their
               eloquent
               terms
               ,
               and
               
               seek
               more
               to
               tickle
               the
               ears
               and
               heads
               of
               their
               hearers
               ,
               than
               any
               thing
               else
               .
               These
               be
               they
               that
               
                 pray
                 to
                 be
                 heard
                 and
                 seen
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 all
                 their
                 reward
                 already
                 ,
              
               Mat.
               6.
               5.
               
            
             
               These
               persons
               are
               discovered
               thus
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               They
               eye
               only
               their
               Auditory
               in
               their
               expressions
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               They
               look
               for
               Commendations
               when
               they
               have
               done
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Their
               hearts
               either
               rise
               or
               fall
               according
               to
               their
               praise
               or
               enlargement
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               The
               length
               of
               their
               Prayer
               pleaseth
               them
               ;
               and
               that
               it
               might
               be
               long
               ,
               they
               will
               vainly
               repeat
               things
               over
               and
               over
               ,
               Matth.
               6.
               7.
               
               They
               study
               for
               enlargements
               ,
               but
               look
               not
               from
               what
               heart
               they
               come
               .
               They
               look
               for
               returns
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               the
               windy
               applause
               o●
               men
               ;
               and
               therefore
               they
               love
               not
               to
               be
               in
               a
               chamber
               ,
               but
               among
               company
               and
               if
               at
               any
               time
               conscience
               thrust
               them
               into
               their
               closet
               ,
               yet
               hypocris●
               
               will
               cause
               them
               to
               be
               heard
               in
               the
               streets
               ;
               and
               when
               their
               mouthes
               have
               done
               going
               ,
               their
               prayers
               are
               ended
               ;
               for
               they
               wait
               not
               
                 to
                 hearken
                 what
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 say
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               85.
               8.
               
            
          
           
             
               Thirdly
               .
            
             
               A
               third
               sort
               of
               prayer
               that
               will
               not
               be
               accepted
               of
               God
               ,
               it
               is
               ,
               When
               either
               they
               pray
               for
               wrong
               things
               ;
               or
               ,
               if
               for
               right
               things
               ,
               yet
               ,
               that
               the
               thing
               prayed
               for
               ,
               might
               be
               spent
               upon
               their
               lusts
               ,
               and
               laid
               out
               to
               wrong
               ends
               :
               
                 Some
                 have
                 not
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 ask
                 not
                 ,
              
               saith
               James
               ;
               
                 and
                 others
                 ask
                 and
                 have
                 not
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 ask
                 amiss
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 consume
                 it
                 upon
                 their
                 lusts
                 ,
              
               James
               4.
               2
               ,
               3
               ,
               4.
               
            
             
               Ends
               contrary
               to
               God's
               Will
               ,
               is
               a
               great
               Argument
               with
               God
               to
               frustrate
               the
               Petitions
               presented
               before
               him
               .
               Hence
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               so
               many
               pray
               for
               this
               and
               that
               ,
               and
               yet
               receive
               it
               not
               ;
               God
               answereth
               them
               onely
               with
               silence
               ,
               they
               have
               their
               words
               for
               their
               labour
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               all
               .
            
             
               
                 
                 
                   Object
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     But
                     God
                     heareth
                     some
                     persons
                     ,
                     though
                     their
                     hearts
                     be
                     not
                     right
                     with
                     him
                     ,
                     as
                     he
                     did
                  
                   Israel
                   ,
                   in
                   giving
                   Quails
                   ,
                   Psal.
                   106.
                   14.
                   
                     though
                     they
                     spent
                     them
                     upon
                     their
                     lusts
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 
                   Answer
                   .
                
                 
                   If
                   he
                   doth
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   in
                   Judgment
                   ,
                   not
                   in
                   Mercy
                   :
                   He
                   gave
                   them
                   their
                   desire
                   indeed
                   ,
                   but
                   they
                   had
                   better
                   have
                   been
                   without
                   it
                   ,
                   for
                   
                     he
                     sent
                     leanness
                     into
                     their
                     souls
                     ,
                  
                   Psal.
                   106.
                   15.
                   
                   Wo
                   be
                   to
                   that
                   man
                   that
                   God
                   answereth
                   thus
                   .
                
              
            
          
           
             
               Fourthly
               .
            
             
               Another
               sort
               of
               prayers
               there
               are
               that
               are
               not
               answered
               ,
               and
               those
               are
               such
               as
               are
               made
               by
               men
               ,
               and
               presented
               to
               God
               in
               their
               own
               persons
               only
               ,
               without
               their
               appearing
               in
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               .
               
               For
               ,
               though
               God
               hath
               appointed
               Prayer
               ,
               and
               promised
               to
               hear
               the
               Prayer
               of
               the
               creature
               ,
               yet
               not
               the
               prayer
               of
               any
               creature
               that
               comes
               not
               in
               Christ.
               If
               you
               
                 ask
                 any
                 thing
                 in
                 My
                 Name
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               John
               14.
               13.
               
               And
               ,
               
                 Whether
                 ye
                 eat
                 or
                 drink
                 ,
                 or
                 whatsoever
                 ye
                 do
                 ,
                 do
                 all
                 in
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               Col.
               3.
               17.
               
               
                 If
                 you
                 ask
                 any
                 thing
                 in
                 my
                 Name
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 do
                 it
                 ,
              
               Joh.
               14.
               14.
               
            
             
               Though
               you
               be
               never
               so
               devout
               ,
               zealous
               ,
               earnest
               and
               constant
               in
               prayer
               ,
               yet
               ,
               it
               is
               in
               Christ
               only
               that
               you
               must
               be
               heard
               and
               accepted
               .
               But
               alas
               ,
               the
               most
               of
               men
               know
               not
               what
               it
               is
               to
               come
               to
               him
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               reason
               they
               either
               ●ive
               wicked
               ,
               pray
               wicked
               ,
               and
               also
               ●ie
               wicked
               .
               Or
               else
               ,
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               they
               attain
               to
               nothing
               else
               but
               what
               a
               meer
               natural
               man
               may
               at●ain
               unto
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               exact
               in
               word
               and
               ●eed
               betwixt
               man
               and
               man
               ,
               and
               only
               with
               the
               righteousness
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               to
               ●ppear
               before
               God.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               Fifthly
               .
            
             
               The
               last
               thing
               that
               hindreth
               Prayer
               ,
               is
               ,
               The
               Form
               of
               it
               without
               the
               Power
               .
               It
               is
               an
               easie
               thing
               for
               men
               to
               be
               very
               hot
               for
               such
               things
               ,
               as
               Forms
               of
               Prayer
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               written
               in
               a
               Book
               ,
               but
               yet
               they
               are
               altogether
               forgetful
               to
               enquire
               with
               themselves
               ,
               whether
               they
               have
               the
               Spirit
               and
               Power
               of
               Prayer
               .
               These
               men
               they
               are
               like
               a
               painted
               man
               ,
               and
               their
               Prayers
               are
               like
               a
               false
               voice
               ;
               they
               in
               person
               appear
               as
               Hypocrites
               ,
               and
               their
               Prayers
               are
               an
               Abomination
               ,
               Prov.
               28.
               9.
               
               VVhen
               they
               say
               they
               have
               been
               pouring
               out
               their
               souls
               to
               God
               ,
               he
               saith
               ,
               they
               have
               been
               
                 howling
                 like
                 dogs
              
               ,
               Hos.
               7.
               14.
               
            
             
               VVhen
               therefore
               thou
               intendest
               ,
               or
               art
               minded
               to
               pray
               to
               the
               Lord
               of
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               ,
               consider
               these
               following
               Particulars
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Consider
               seriously
               what
               thou
               wantest
               ;
               do
               not
               as
               many
               ,
               who
               in
               thei●
               words
               onely
               beat
               the
               air
               ,
               and
               ask
               fo●
               such
               things
               as
               indeed
               they
               do
               not
               de
               
               sire
               ,
               nor
               see
               that
               they
               stand
               in
               need
               thereof
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               When
               thou
               seest
               what
               thou
               wantest
               ,
               keep
               to
               that
               ,
               and
               take
               heed
               thou
               pray
               sensibly
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   Object
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   I
                   have
                   a
                   sence
                   of
                   nothing
                   ;
                   Then
                   ,
                   by
                   your
                   Argument
                   ,
                   I
                   must
                   not
                   pray
                   at
                   all
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Answer
                   .
                
                 
                   First
                   ,
                   If
                   thou
                   findest
                   thy self
                   sensless
                   in
                   some
                   sad
                   measure
                   ,
                   yet
                   thou
                   canst
                   not
                   complain
                   of
                   that
                   senslesness
                   ,
                   but
                   by
                   being
                   sensible
                   .
                
                 
                   There
                   is
                   a
                   sense
                   of
                   senslesness
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   thy
                   sense
                   then
                   ,
                   that
                   thou
                   hast
                   of
                   the
                   need
                   of
                   any
                   thing
                   ,
                   so
                   pray
                   ,
                   (
                   Luke
                   8.
                   9.
                   
                   )
                   and
                   if
                   thou
                   art
                   sensible
                   of
                   thy
                   senslesness
                   ,
                   pray
                   the
                   Lord
                   to
                   make
                   thee
                   sensible
                   of
                   what-ever
                   thou
                   findest
                   thine
                   heart
                   sensless
                   of
                   .
                   This
                   was
                   the
                   usual
                   practice
                   of
                   the
                   holy
                   men
                   of
                   God
                   ;
                   
                     Lord
                     make
                     me
                     to
                     know
                     mine
                  
                   
                   end
                   ,
                   saith
                   David
                   ,
                   Psal.
                   39.
                   4.
                   
                   
                     Lord
                     ,
                     open
                     to
                     us
                     this
                     Parable
                     ,
                  
                   said
                   the
                   Disciples
                   ,
                   Luke
                   8.
                   9.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   to
                   this
                   is
                   annexed
                   the
                   Promise
                   ,
                   
                     Call
                     upon
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     will
                     hear
                     thee
                     ,
                     and
                     shew
                     thee
                     great
                     and
                     mighty
                     things
                     that
                     thou
                     knowest
                     not
                     ,
                  
                   Jer.
                   33.
                   3.
                   that
                   thou
                   art
                   not
                   sensible
                   of
                   .
                   But
                   ,
                
                 
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   Take
                   heed
                   that
                   thine
                   heart
                   go
                   to
                   God
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   thy
                   mouth
                   ;
                   let
                   not
                   thy
                   mouth
                   go
                   any
                   further
                   than
                   thou
                   strivest
                   to
                   draw
                   thine
                   heart
                   along
                   with
                   it
                   .
                   David
                   would
                   lift
                   his
                   heart
                   and
                   soul
                   to
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   good
                   reason
                   :
                   for
                   so
                   far
                   as
                   a
                   man's
                   mouth
                   goeth
                   along
                   without
                   his
                   heart
                   ,
                   so
                   far
                   it
                   is
                   but
                   lip-labour
                   only
                   ;
                   and
                   though
                   God
                   calleth
                   for
                   ,
                   and
                   accepteth
                   the
                   calves
                   of
                   the
                   lips
                   ,
                   yet
                   the
                   lips
                   ,
                   without
                   the
                   heart
                   ,
                   argueth
                   not
                   only
                   senslesness
                   ,
                   but
                   our
                   being
                   without
                   sense
                   of
                   our
                   senslesness
                   ;
                   and
                   therefore
                   if
                   thou
                   hast
                   a
                   mind
                   to
                   enlarge
                   in
                   Prayer
                   before
                   God
                   ,
                   see
                   that
                   it
                   be
                   with
                   thy
                   heart
                   .
                
                 
                   Thirdly
                   ,
                   Take
                   heed
                   of
                   affecting
                   expressions
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   to
                   please
                   thy self
                   with
                   
                   the
                   use
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   that
                   thou
                   forget
                   not
                   the
                   Life
                   of
                   Prayer
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   shall
                   conclude
                   this
                   Use
                   with
                   a
                   Caution
                   or
                   two
                   .
                
                 
                   First
                   ,
                   
                     Take
                     heed
                     thou
                     do
                     not
                     throw
                     off
                     Prayer
                     ,
                     through
                     sudden
                     perswasions
                     that
                     thou
                     hast
                     not
                     the
                     Spirit
                     ,
                     neither
                     prayest
                     thereby
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   It
                   is
                   the
                   great
                   work
                   of
                   the
                   Devil
                   to
                   do
                   his
                   best
                   ,
                   or
                   rather
                   worst
                   ,
                   against
                   the
                   best
                   prayers
                   .
                   He
                   will
                   flatter
                   your
                   false
                   dissembling
                   hypocrites
                   ,
                   and
                   feed
                   them
                   with
                   a
                   thousand
                   fancies
                   of
                   well-doing
                   ,
                   when
                   their
                   very
                   duties
                   of
                   Prayer
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   other
                   ,
                   stink
                   in
                   the
                   nostrils
                   of
                   God
                   ;
                   When
                   he
                   standeth
                   at
                   a
                   poor
                   
                     Joshua's
                     hand
                     to
                     resist
                     him
                  
                   ,
                   (
                   Isa.
                   66.
                   5.
                   
                   Zech.
                   3.
                   1.
                   
                   )
                   that
                   is
                   ,
                   to
                   perswade
                   him
                   ,
                   that
                   neither
                   his
                   person
                   nor
                   performances
                   are
                   accepted
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
                 
                   Take
                   heed
                   therefore
                   of
                   such
                   false
                   conclusions
                   and
                   groundless
                   discouragements
                   ;
                   And
                   though
                   such
                   perswasions
                   do
                   come
                   in
                   upon
                   thy
                   spirit
                   ,
                   be
                   so
                   
                   far
                   from
                   being
                   discouraged
                   by
                   them
                   ,
                   that
                   thou
                   use
                   them
                   to
                   put
                   thee
                   upon
                   further
                   sincerity
                   and
                   restlesness
                   of
                   spirit
                   in
                   thy
                   approaching
                   to
                   God.
                   
                
                 
                   Secondly
                   
                     As
                     such
                     sudden
                     temptations
                     should
                     not
                     stop
                     thee
                     from
                     Prayer
                     and
                     pouring
                     out
                     thy
                     soul
                     to
                     God
                     ;
                     so
                     neither
                     should
                     thine
                     own
                     hearts
                     corruption
                     hinder
                     thee
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   It
                   may
                   be
                   thou
                   mayest
                   find
                   in
                   thee
                   all
                   those
                   things
                   before-mentioned
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   they
                   will
                   be
                   endeavouring
                   to
                   put
                   forth
                   themselves
                   in
                   thy
                   praying
                   to
                   him
                   :
                   thy
                   business
                   then
                   is
                   to
                   judge
                   them
                   ,
                   to
                   pray
                   against
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   lay
                   thy self
                   so
                   much
                   the
                   more
                   at
                   the
                   foot
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   in
                   a
                   sence
                   of
                   thy
                   own
                   viseness
                   ,
                   and
                   rather
                   make
                   an
                   argument
                   from
                   thy
                   vileness
                   and
                   corruption
                   of
                   heart
                   ,
                   to
                   plead
                   with
                   God
                   for
                   justifying
                   and
                   sanctifying
                   grace
                   ,
                   than
                   an
                   argument
                   of
                   discouragement
                   and
                   dispair
                   .
                
                 
                   David
                   went
                   this
                   way
                   ;
                   
                     O
                     Lord
                  
                   ,
                   saith
                   he
                   ,
                   
                     pardon
                     mine
                     iniquity
                     ,
                     for
                     it
                     is
                     great
                     ,
                  
                   Psal.
                   25.
                   
                
              
            
          
           
             
             
               USE
               II.
               A
               Word
               of
               Encouragement
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               To
               speak
               a
               word
               by
               way
               of
               Encouragement
               (
               to
               the
               poor
               tempted
               and
               cast-down
               soul
               )
               to
               pray
               to
               God
               through
               Christ.
               Though
               all
               Prayer
               that
               is
               accepted
               of
               God
               in
               reference
               to
               eternal
               life
               must
               be
               in
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               for
               that
               onely
               maketh
               intercession
               for
               us
               according
               to
               the
               Will
               of
               God
               ,
               Rom.
               8.
               27.
               
               Yet
               ,
               because
               many
               poor
               souls
               may
               have
               the
               holy
               Spirit
               working
               on
               them
               ,
               and
               stirring
               of
               them
               to
               groan
               unto
               the
               Lord
               for
               mercy
               ,
               though
               through
               unbelief
               they
               do
               not
               ,
               nor
               for
               the
               present
               cannot
               believe
               that
               they
               are
               the
               People
               of
               God
               ,
               such
               as
               he
               delights
               in
               ;
               yet
               forasmuch
               as
               the
               truth
               of
               Grace
               may
               be
               in
               them
               ,
               therefore
               I
               shall
               ,
               to
               encourage
               them
               ,
               lay
               down
               further
               these
               few
               particulars
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               That
               Scripture
               in
               Luke
               11.
               8.
               is
               very
               encouraging
               to
               any
               poor
               soul
               that
               
               doth
               hunger
               after
               Christ
               Jesus
               .
               In
               the
               5th
               ,
               6th
               ,
               and
               7th
               verses
               ,
               he
               speaketh
               a
               parable
               of
               a
               man
               that
               went
               to
               his
               friend
               to
               borrow
               three
               loaves
               ,
               who
               ,
               because
               he
               was
               in
               bed
               ,
               denied
               him
               ,
               yet
               for
               his
               importunity-sake
               he
               did
               arise
               and
               give
               him
               ;
               clearly
               signifying
               ,
               that
               though
               poor
               souls
               through
               the
               weakness
               of
               their
               faith
               cannot
               see
               that
               they
               are
               the
               friends
               of
               God
               ,
               yet
               they
               should
               never
               leave
               asking
               ,
               seeking
               ,
               and
               knocking
               at
               God's
               door
               for
               mercy
               ,
               Mat.
               7.
               7
               ,
               8.
               
            
             
               Mark
               ,
               saith
               Christ
               ,
               
                 I
                 say
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 Although
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 arise
                 and
                 give
                 him
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 his
                 friend
                 ,
                 yet
                 because
                 of
                 his
                 importunity
              
               (
               or
               restless
               desires
               )
               
                 he
                 will
                 arise
                 and
                 give
                 him
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 he
                 needeth
                 .
              
            
             
               Poor
               heart
               !
               thou
               cryest
               out
               that
               God
               will
               not
               regard
               thee
               ,
               thou
               dosnot
               find
               that
               thou
               art
               a
               friend
               to
               him
               but
               rather
               an
               enemy
               in
               thine
               heart
               
                 by
                 wicked
                 works
                 ,
                 Col.
              
               1.
               21.
               and
               thou
               ar●
               as
               though
               thou
               didst
               hear
               the
               Lord
               saying
               to
               thee
               ,
               
                 Trouble
                 me
                 not
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
              
               
               
                 give
                 unto
                 thee
              
               ;
               as
               he
               in
               the
               parable
               ;
               Yet
               I
               say
               ,
               continue
               knocking
               ,
               crying
               ,
               moaning
               and
               bewailing
               thy self
               :
               
                 I
                 tell
                 thee
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 arise
                 and
                 give
                 thee
                 ,
                 because
                 thou
                 art
                 his
                 friend
                 ;
                 yet
                 because
                 of
                 thy
                 importunity
                 he
                 will
                 arise
                 and
                 give
                 thee
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 thou
                 needest
                 .
              
            
             
               The
               same
               in
               effect
               you
               have
               discovered
               ,
               Luke
               18.
               in
               the
               parable
               of
               the
               unjust
               Judge
               ,
               and
               the
               poor
               Widow
               ;
               her
               importunity
               prevailed
               with
               him
               .
            
             
               And
               verily
               ,
               mine
               own
               experience
               tells
               me
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               nothing
               that
               doth
               more
               prevail
               with
               God
               ,
               than
               importunity
               .
            
             
               Is
               it
               not
               so
               with
               you
               in
               respect
               of
               your
               beggars
               that
               come
               to
               your
               door
               ?
               though
               you
               have
               no
               heart
               to
               give
               them
               any
               thing
               at
               their
               first
               asking
               ,
               yet
               ,
               if
               they
               follow
               you
               ,
               bemoaning
               themselves
               ,
               and
               will
               take
               no
               nay
               without
               an
               alms
               ,
               you
               will
               give
               them
               ;
               for
               their
               continual
               begging
               overcometh
               you
               .
            
             
               Are
               there
               bowels
               in
               you
               that
               are
               wicked
               ,
               and
               will
               they
               be
               wrought
               upon
               by
               an
               importuning
               beggar
               ?
               Go
               
               
                 thou
                 and
                 do
                 the
                 like
              
               ,
               Luke
               11.
               11.
               
            
             
               It
               is
               a
               prevailing
               motive
               ,
               and
               that
               by
               good
               experience
               ;
               
                 He
                 will
                 arise
                 and
                 give
                 thee
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 thou
                 needest
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               Another
               Encouragement
               for
               a
               poor
               trembling
               convinced
               soul
               ,
               is
               ,
               To
               consider
               the
               place
               ,
               throne
               ,
               or
               seat
               ,
               on
               which
               the
               great
               God
               hath
               placed
               himself
               to
               hear
               the
               petitions
               and
               prayers
               of
               poor
               creatures
               ;
               and
               that
               is
               
                 a
                 Throne
                 of
                 Grace
              
               ,
               Heb.
               4.
               16.
               
               
                 The
                 Mercy-Seat
              
               ,
               Exod.
               25.
               22.
               
               Which
               signifieth
               ,
               that
               in
               the
               dayes
               of
               the
               Gospel
               God
               hath
               taken
               up
               his
               Seat
               ,
               his
               abiding-place
               ,
               in
               mercy
               and
               forgiveness
               ;
               and
               from
               thence
               he
               doth
               intend
               to
               hear
               the
               sinner
               ,
               and
               to
               commune
               with
               him
               ,
               as
               he
               saith
               ,
               Exod.
               25.
               22.
               
               (
               speaking
               before
               of
               the
               Mercy-Seat
               )
               
                 And
                 there
                 will
                 I
                 meet
                 with
                 thee
                 .
              
               Mark
               ;
               It
               is
               upon
               the
               Mercy-Seat
               ;
               
                 There
                 will
                 I
                 meet
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 will
                 I
                 commune
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 from
                 above
                 the
                 Mercy-seat
                 .
              
            
             
               Poor
               souls
               !
               they
               are
               very
               apt
               to
               entertain
               strange
               thoughts
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               his
               carriage
               towards
               them
               ,
               and
               suddenly
               
               to
               conclude
               ,
               that
               God
               will
               have
               no
               regard
               unto
               them
               ;
               when
               yet
               he
               is
               upon
               the
               Mercy-Seat
               ,
               and
               hath
               taken
               up
               his
               place
               on
               purpose
               there
               ,
               to
               the
               end
               he
               may
               hear
               and
               regard
               the
               prayers
               of
               poor
               creatures
               .
            
             
               If
               he
               had
               said
               ,
               I
               will
               commune
               with
               thee
               from
               my
               Throne
               of
               Judgement
               ;
               then
               indeed
               you
               might
               have
               trembled
               and
               fled
               from
               the
               face
               of
               the
               great
               and
               glorious
               Majesty
               .
               But
               when
               he
               saith
               ,
               he
               will
               hear
               and
               commune
               with
               souls
               upon
               the
               Throne
               of
               Grace
               ,
               or
               from
               the
               Mercy-Seat
               ;
               this
               should
               encourage
               thee
               ,
               and
               cause
               thee
               to
               hope
               ,
               nay
               to
               come
               boldly
               to
               the
               Throne
               of
               Grace
               ,
               that
               thou
               mayest
               obtain
               mercy
               ,
               and
               find
               Grace
               to
               help
               in
               time
               of
               need
               ,
               Heb.
               4.
               16.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               There
               is
               yet
               another
               Encouragement
               to
               continue
               in
               Prayer
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               this
               .
            
             
               As
               there
               is
               a
               Mercy-Seat
               ,
               from
               whence
               God
               is
               willing
               to
               commune
               with
               poor
               sinners
               ;
               so
               there
               is
               also
               by
               this
               Mercy-seat
               ,
               
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 who
                 continually
              
               
               
                 besprinkleth
                 it
                 with
                 his
                 blood
              
               .
            
             
               Hence
               it
               is
               called
               ,
               
                 The
                 Blood
                 of
                 sprinkling
              
               ,
               Heb.
               12.
               14.
               
            
             
               When
               the
               High
               Priest
               under
               the
               Law
               was
               to
               go
               into
               the
               Holiest
               ,
               where
               the
               Mercy-seat
               was
               ,
               
                 he
                 might
                 not
                 go
                 in
                 without
                 blood
                 ,
              
               Heb.
               9.
               7.
               
            
             
               
                 
                   Qu.
                   Why
                   so
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Because
                   ,
                   though
                   God
                   was
                   upon
                   the
                   Mercy-Seat
                   ,
                   yet
                   he
                   was
                   perfectly
                   just
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   merciful
                   .
                
                 
                   The
                   Blood
                   was
                   to
                   stop
                   Justice
                   from
                   running
                   out
                   upon
                   the
                   persons
                   concerned
                   in
                   the
                   Intercession
                   of
                   the
                   High
                   Priest
                   ,
                   as
                   in
                   Levit.
                   16.
                   13
                   ,
                   14
                   ,
                   15
                   ,
                   16.
                   
                   To
                   signifie
                   ,
                   that
                   all
                   thine
                   unworthiness
                   that
                   thou
                   fearest
                   ,
                   should
                   not
                   hinder
                   thee
                   from
                   coming
                   to
                   God
                   in
                   Christ
                   ,
                   for
                   mercy
                   .
                
                 
                   ☞
                   Thou
                   cryest
                   out
                   ,
                   that
                   thou
                   art
                   vile
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   God
                   will
                   not
                   regard
                   thy
                   Prayers
                   .
                   'T
                   is
                   true
                   ,
                   if
                   thou
                   delight
                   in
                   thy
                   vileness
                   ,
                   and
                   come
                   to
                   God
                   out
                   of
                   a
                   meer
                   pretence
                   .
                   But
                   if
                   from
                   a
                   sence
                   of
                   thy
                   vileness
                   thou
                   dost
                   pour
                   out
                   thy
                   heart
                   to
                   God
                   ,
                   desiring
                   to
                   
                   be
                   saved
                   from
                   the
                   guilt
                   ,
                   and
                   cleansed
                   from
                   the
                   filth
                   ,
                   with
                   all
                   thy
                   heart
                   ;
                   fear
                   not
                   ,
                   thy
                   vileness
                   will
                   not
                   cause
                   the
                   Lord
                   to
                   stop
                   his
                   ear
                   from
                   hearing
                   of
                   thee
                   .
                
                 
                   The
                   value
                   of
                   the
                   blood
                   of
                   Christ
                   which
                   is
                   sprinkled
                   upon
                   the
                   Mercy-seat
                   ,
                   stops
                   the
                   course
                   of
                   Justice
                   ,
                   and
                   opens
                   a
                   flood-gate
                   for
                   the
                   mercy
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   to
                   be
                   extended
                   unto
                   thee
                   .
                
                 
                   Thou
                   hast
                   therefore
                   ,
                   as
                   aforesaid
                   ,
                   
                     boldness
                     to
                     enter
                     into
                     the
                     Holiest
                     ,
                     by
                     the
                     Blood
                     of
                     Jesus
                     ,
                     that
                     hath
                     made
                     a
                     new
                     and
                     living
                     way
                     for
                     thee
                     ,
                     thou
                     shalt
                     not
                     dye
                     ,
                  
                   Heb.
                   10.
                   19
                   ,
                   20.
                   
                
                 
                   Besides
                   ,
                   Jesus
                   is
                   there
                   ,
                   not
                   only
                   to
                   sprinkle
                   the
                   Mercy-seat
                   with
                   his
                   blood
                   ;
                   but
                   he
                   speaks
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   blood
                   speaks
                   ;
                   he
                   hath
                   audience
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   blood
                   hath
                   audience
                   ;
                   Insomuch
                   ,
                   that
                   God
                   saith
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   doth
                   but
                   
                     see
                     the
                     blood
                     ,
                     he
                     will
                     pass
                     over
                     you
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     plague
                     shall
                     not
                     be
                     upon
                     you
                     ,
                  
                   &c.
                   Exod.
                   12.
                   13.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   shall
                   not
                   detain
                   you
                   any
                   longer
                   .
                   Be
                   sober
                   and
                   humble
                   ;
                   Go
                   to
                   the
                   Father
                   
                   in
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                   ,
                   and
                   tell
                   him
                   your
                   case
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   assistance
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   and
                   you
                   will
                   then
                   feel
                   the
                   benefit
                   of
                   praying
                   with
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   Understanding
                   also
                   .
                
              
            
          
           
             
               USE
               III.
               A
               Word
               of
               reproof
               .
            
             
               This
               speaks
               sadly
               to
               you
               who
               never
               pray
               at
               all
               .
            
             
               
                 I
                 will
                 pray
              
               ,
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               and
               so
               saith
               the
               heart
               of
               them
               that
               are
               Christians
               .
            
             
               Thou
               then
               art
               not
               a
               Christian
               that
               art
               not
               a
               praying
               person
               .
            
             
               The
               promise
               is
               ,
               
                 That
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 is
                 righteous
                 shall
                 pray
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               32.
               6.
               
            
             
               Thou
               then
               art
               a
               wicked
               wretch
               that
               prayest
               not
               .
            
             
               Jacob
               got
               the
               name
               of
               Israel
               by
               wrestling
               with
               God
               ,
               Gen.
               32.
               
               And
               all
               his
               Children
               bare
               that
               name
               with
               him
               ,
               Gal.
               6.
               
            
             
               But
               the
               People
               that
               forget
               prayer
               ,
               
               that
               call
               not
               on
               the
               name
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               they
               have
               prayer
               made
               for
               them
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               such
               as
               this
               ,
               
                 Pour
                 out
                 thy
                 fury
                 upon
                 the
                 heathen
                 ,
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 the
                 people
                 that
                 call
                 not
                 upon
                 thy
                 name
                 ,
              
               Jer.
               10.
               25.
               
            
             
               How
               likest
               thou
               this
               ,
               O
               thou
               that
               art
               so
               far
               off
               from
               pouring
               out
               thine
               heart
               before
               God
               ,
               that
               thou
               goest
               to
               bed
               like
               a
               dog
               ,
               and
               risest
               like
               an
               hog
               ,
               or
               a
               sot
               ,
               and
               forgettest
               to
               call
               upon
               God
               ?
            
             
               What
               wilt
               thou
               do
               when
               thou
               shalt
               be
               damned
               in
               Hell
               ,
               because
               thou
               couldst
               not
               find
               in
               thine
               heart
               to
               ask
               for
               Heaven
               ?
            
             
               Who
               will
               grieve
               for
               thy
               sorrow
               ,
               that
               didst
               not
               count
               mercy
               worth
               asking
               for
               ?
            
             
               I
               tell
               thee
               ,
               the
               ravens
               ,
               the
               dogs
               ,
               &c.
               shall
               rise
               up
               in
               judgement
               against
               thee
               ,
               for
               they
               will
               according
               to
               their
               kind
               ,
               make
               signs
               ,
               and
               a
               noise
               for
               something
               to
               refresh
               them
               when
               they
               want
               it
               ;
               but
               thou
               hast
               not
               the
               heart
               to
               ask
               for
               Heaven
               ,
               though
               thou
               must
               eternally
               perish
               in
               Hell
               ,
               if
               thou
               hast
               it
               not
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               This
               rebukes
               you
               that
               make
               it
               your
               business
               to
               slight
               ,
               mock
               at
               ,
               and
               undervalue
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               praying
               by
               that
               .
            
             
               What
               will
               you
               do
               ,
               when
               God
               shall
               come
               to
               reckon
               for
               these
               things
               ?
            
             
               You
               count
               it
               high
               Treason
               to
               speak
               but
               a
               word
               against
               the
               King.
               Nay
               ,
               you
               tremble
               at
               the
               thoughts
               of
               it
               ;
               and
               yet
               in
               the
               mean
               time
               you
               will
               blaspheme
               the
               Spirit
               of
               the
               Lord.
               
            
             
               Is
               God
               indeed
               to
               be
               dallied
               with
               ,
               and
               will
               the
               end
               be
               pleasant
               unto
               you
               ?
            
             
               Did
               God
               send
               his
               holy
               Spirit
               into
               the
               hearts
               of
               his
               People
               to
               that
               end
               ,
               that
               you
               should
               taunt
               at
               it
               ?
               is
               this
               to
               serve
               God
               ?
               And
               doth
               this
               demonstrate
               the
               Reformation
               of
               your
               Church
               ?
               Nay
               ,
               is
               it
               not
               the
               mark
               of
               implacable
               Reprobates
               ?
            
             
               O
               fearful
               !
               can
               you
               not
               be
               content
               to
               be
               damned
               for
               your
               sins
               against
               the
               Law
               ,
               but
               you
               must
               sin
               against
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ?
            
             
             
               Must
               the
               holy
               ,
               harmless
               ,
               and
               undefiled
               Spirit
               of
               Grace
               ;
               the
               nature
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               promise
               of
               Christ
               ,
               the
               comforter
               of
               his
               Children
               ;
               that
               without
               which
               ,
               no
               man
               can
               do
               any
               service
               acceptable
               to
               the
               Father
               ;
               Must
               this
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               be
               the
               burthen
               of
               your
               Song
               ,
               to
               taunt
               ,
               deride
               ,
               and
               mock
               at
               ?
            
             
               If
               God
               sent
               
                 Corah
                 and
                 his
                 company
                 headlong
                 to
                 hell
                 ,
                 for
                 speaking
                 against
                 Moses
                 and
                 Aaron
                 ,
              
               Numb
               .
               16.
               do
               you
               that
               mock
               at
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Christ
               ,
               think
               to
               escape
               unpunished
               ?
               Heb.
               10.
               29.
               
            
             
               Did
               you
               never
               reade
               what
               God
               did
               to
               Ananias
               and
               Saphira
               ,
               for
               telling
               but
               one
               lye
               against
               it
               ?
               Acts
               5.
               1
               ,
               2
               ,
               3
               ,
               4
               ,
               5
               ,
               6
               ,
               7.
               
            
             
               Also
               to
               
                 Simon
                 Magus
              
               ,
               for
               but
               undervaluing
               of
               it
               ,
               Acts
               8.
               18
               ,
               19
               ,
               20
               ,
               21.
               
            
             
               And
               will
               thy
               sin
               be
               a
               virtue
               ,
               or
               go
               unrewarded
               with
               vengeance
               ,
               that
               makest
               it
               thy
               business
               to
               rage
               against
               ,
               and
               oppose
               its
               Office
               ,
               Service
               ,
               and
               Help
               ,
               that
               it
               giveth
               unto
               the
               Children
               of
               God
               ?
            
             
             
               It
               is
               a
               fearful
               thing
               to
               do
               despite
               unto
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Grace
               :
               compare
               Mat.
               12.
               31.
               with
               Mark
               3.
               30.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               As
               this
               is
               the
               doom
               of
               those
               who
               do
               openly
               blaspheme
               the
               holy
               Ghost
               ,
               in
               a
               way
               of
               disdain
               and
               reproach
               to
               its
               office
               and
               service
               :
               So
               also
               it
               is
               sad
               for
               you
               ,
               who
               resist
               this
               Spirit
               of
               Prayer
               ,
               by
               a
               Form
               of
               man's
               inventing
               .
               A
               very
               juggle
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               that
               the
               Traditions
               of
               men
               should
               be
               of
               better
               esteem
               ,
               and
               more
               to
               be
               owned
               ,
               than
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Prayer
               .
            
             
               What
               is
               this
               less
               than
               that
               accursed
               Abomination
               of
               Jeroboam
               ,
               which
               kept
               many
               from
               going
               to
               Jerusalem
               ,
               the
               place
               and
               way
               of
               God's
               Appointment
               to
               worship
               ,
               1
               Kings
               12.
               26
               ,
               &c.
               
               And
               by
               that
               means
               brought
               such
               displeasure
               from
               God
               upon
               them
               ,
               as
               to
               this
               day
               is
               not
               appeased
               ?
            
             
               One
               would
               think
               that
               God's
               Judgements
               of
               old
               upon
               the
               Hypocrites
               of
               that
               day
               ,
               should
               make
               them
               that
               have
               heard
               of
               such
               things
               ,
               take
               heed
               and
               fear
               to
               do
               so
               .
            
             
             
               Yet
               the
               Doctors
               of
               our
               day
               are
               so
               far
               from
               taking
               of
               warning
               by
               the
               punishment
               of
               others
               ,
               that
               they
               do
               most
               desperately
               rush
               into
               the
               same
               transgression
               (
               viz.
               )
               To
               set
               up
               an
               Institution
               of
               man
               ,
               neither
               commanded
               nor
               commended
               of
               God
               :
               and
               whosoever
               will
               not
               obey
               herein
               ,
               they
               must
               be
               driven
               either
               out
               of
               the
               Land
               ,
               or
               the
               World.
               
            
             
               Hath
               God
               required
               these
               things
               at
               you
               hands
               ?
               If
               he
               hath
               ,
               shew
               us
               where
               .
               If
               not
               (
               as
               I
               am
               sure
               he
               hath
               not
               )
               Then
               what
               cursed
               presumption
               is
               it
               in
               any
               ,
               Pope
               ,
               Bishop
               ,
               or
               other
               ,
               to
               command
               that
               in
               the
               Worship
               of
               God
               which
               he
               hath
               not
               required
               ?
            
             
               Nay
               ,
               further
               :
               It
               is
               not
               that
               part
               only
               of
               the
               Form
               ,
               which
               is
               several
               Texts
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               commanded
               to
               say
               ;
               but
               even
               all
               must
               be
               confessed
               as
               the
               Divine
               Worship
               of
               God
               ,
               notwithstanding
               those
               absurdities
               contained
               therein
               ,
               which
               because
               they
               are
               at
               large
               discovered
               by
               others
               ,
               I
               omit
               the
               rehearsal
               of
               them
               .
            
             
             
               Again
               ,
               Though
               a
               man
               be
               willing
               to
               live
               never
               so
               peaceably
               ;
               yet
               because
               he
               cannot
               for
               Conscience
               sake
               own
               that
               ,
               for
               one
               of
               the
               most
               eminent
               parts
               of
               God's
               Worship
               ,
               which
               he
               never
               commanded
               :
               therefore
               must
               that
               man
               be
               looked
               upon
               as
               factious
               ,
               seditious
               ,
               erroneous
               ,
               heretical
               ;
               a
               disparagement
               to
               the
               Church
               ,
               a
               seducer
               of
               the
               people
               ,
               and
               what
               not
               ?
               Lord
               ,
               what
               will
               be
               the
               fruit
               of
               these
               things
               !
               when
               for
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               God
               there
               is
               imposed
               (
               that
               is
               more
               than
               taught
               )
               the
               Traditions
               of
               men
               ?
            
             
               Thus
               is
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Prayer
               disowned
               ,
               and
               the
               Form
               imposed
               ;
               the
               Spirit
               debased
               ,
               and
               the
               Form
               extolled
               :
               they
               that
               pray
               with
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               though
               never
               so
               humble
               and
               holy
               ,
               counted
               Phanaticks
               ;
               and
               they
               that
               pray
               with
               the
               Form
               ,
               though
               with
               that
               only
               ,
               counted
               the
               Vertuous
               .
               And
               how
               will
               the
               favourites
               of
               such
               a
               practice
               ,
               answer
               that
               Scripture
               ,
               which
               commandeth
               ,
               that
               the
               Church
               
                 should
                 turn
                 away
                 from
                 such
                 as
                 have
                 a
                 Form
                 of
                 Goaliness
                 ,
                 but
                 deny
              
               
               
                 the
                 Power
                 thereof
              
               ?
               2
               Tim.
               3.
               5.
               
            
             
               And
               if
               I
               should
               say
               ,
               That
               men
               that
               do
               these
               things
               aforesaid
               ,
               do
               advance
               a
               Form
               of
               Prayer
               of
               other
               mens
               making
               ,
               above
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Prayer
               ,
               it
               would
               not
               take
               long
               time
               to
               prove
               it
               .
            
             
               For
               ,
               he
               that
               advanceth
               the
               
                 Book
                 of
                 Common-Prayer
              
               ,
               above
               the
               
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Prayer
              
               ,
               he
               doth
               advance
               a
               Form
               of
               mens
               making
               above
               it
               .
            
             
               But
               this
               do
               all
               those
               who
               banish
               ,
               or
               desire
               to
               banish
               them
               that
               pray
               with
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Prayer
               ,
               while
               they
               hug
               and
               imbrace
               them
               that
               pray
               by
               that
               Form
               onely
               ,
               and
               that
               because
               they
               do
               it
               .
            
             
               Therefore
               they
               love
               and
               advance
               the
               Form
               of
               their
               own
               ,
               or
               others
               inventing
               ,
               before
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Prayer
               ,
               which
               is
               God's
               special
               and
               gracious
               Appointment
               .
            
             
               If
               you
               desire
               the
               clearing
               of
               the
               Minor
               ,
               look
               into
               the
               Goals
               in
               England
               ,
               and
               into
               the
               Alehouses
               of
               the
               same
               :
               
               and
               I
               believe
               ,
               you
               will
               find
               those
               that
               plead
               for
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Prayer
               in
               the
               Goal
               ,
               and
               them
               that
               look
               after
               the
               Form
               of
               mens
               Inventions
               only
               ,
               in
               the
               Alehouse
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               evident
               also
               ,
               by
               the
               silencing
               of
               God's
               dear
               Ministers
               ,
               though
               never
               so
               powerfully
               enabled
               by
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Prayer
               ;
               if
               they
               ,
               in
               conscience
               ,
               cannot
               admit
               of
               that
               Form
               of
               Common-Prayer
               .
            
             
               If
               this
               be
               not
               an
               exalting
               the
               Common-Prayer-Book
               above
               either
               praying
               by
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               or
               preaching
               the
               Word
               ,
               I
               have
               taken
               my
               mark
               amiss
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               not
               pleasant
               for
               me
               to
               dwell
               on
               this
               ;
               the
               Lord
               in
               mercy
               turn
               the
               hearts
               of
               the
               people
               to
               seek
               more
               after
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Prayer
               ;
               and
               in
               the
               strength
               of
               that
               ,
               to
               pour
               out
               their
               souls
               before
               the
               Lord.
               
            
             
               Only
               let
               me
               say
               ,
               It
               is
               a
               sad
               sign
               ,
               that
               that
               ,
               which
               is
               one
               of
               the
               most
               eminent
               parts
               of
               the
               pretended
               Worship
               of
               God
               ,
               is
               Antichristian
               ;
               when
               it
               hath
               nothing
               but
               Tradition
               of
               men
               ,
               
               and
               the
               strength
               of
               Persecution
               to
               uphold
               ,
               or
               plead
               for
               it
               .
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           The
           Conclusion
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           conclude
           this
           Discourse
           with
           this
           Word
           of
           Advice
           to
           all
           Gods
           People
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             BElieve
             ,
             that
             as
             sure
             as
             you
             are
             in
             the
             Way
             of
             God
             ,
             you
             must
             meet
             with
             Temptations
             .
          
           
             II.
             The
             first
             day
             therefore
             that
             thou
             dost
             enter
             into
             Christ
             his
             Congregation
             ,
             look
             for
             them
             .
          
           
             
             III.
             When
             they
             do
             come
             ,
             beg
             of
             God
             to
             carry
             thee
             through
             them
             .
          
           
             IV.
             Be
             jealous
             of
             thine
             own
             heart
             ,
             that
             it
             deceive
             thee
             not
             in
             thy
             Evidences
             for
             Heaven
             ,
             nor
             in
             thy
             walking
             with
             God
             in
             this
             world
             .
          
           
             V.
             Take
             heed
             of
             the
             flatteries
             of
             false
             Brethren
             .
          
           
             VI.
             Keep
             in
             the
             Life
             and
             Power
             of
             Truth
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             Look
             most
             at
             the
             things
             which
             are
             not
             seen
             .
          
           
             
             VIII
             .
             Take
             heed
             of
             little
             sins
             .
          
           
             IX
             .
             Keep
             the
             Promise
             warm
             upon
             thy
             heart
             .
          
           
             X.
             Renew
             thy
             acts
             of
             Faith
             in
             the
             Blood
             of
             Christ.
             
          
           
             XI
             .
             Consider
             the
             Work
             of
             thy
             Generation
             .
          
           
             XII
             .
             Count
             to
             run
             with
             the
             foremost
             therein
             .
          
        
         
           Grace
           be
           with
           thee
           .
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
         
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A30158-e210
           
             *
             
               See
               Mr.
            
             Fox
             
               his
               citation
               of
               the
               Mass
               ,
               in
               the
               last
               Volumn
               of
               the
               Book
               of
               Martyrs
               .
            
          
           
             *
             
               See
               Mr.
            
             Fox's
             
               Acts
               and
               Monuments
               .
               Volumn
            
             2.