that_o good_a effect_n to_o open_v the_o understanding_n and_o work_v holy_a affection_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o people_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o edification_n for_o where_o a_o thing_n be_v well_o understand_v a_o man_n need_v not_o concern_v his_o memory_n much_o about_o it_o as_o he_o who_o understand_v the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o rule_n and_o precept_n of_o art_n he_o can_v practice_v the_o thing_n belong_v to_o that_o art_n better_o with_o his_o understanding_n without_o think_v on_o those_o rule_n than_o he_o who_o only_o have_v the_o rule_n of_o art_n in_o his_o memory_n but_o understand_v not_o the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o those_o rule_n nor_o can_v these_o form_n be_v so_o edify_v as_o extemporary_a prayer_n by_o the_o true_a spirit_n of_o god_n because_o they_o can_v so_o universal_o in_o all_o particular_n reach_v to_o the_o various_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o people_n soul_n and_o to_o say_v that_o all_o the_o various_a state_n of_o people_n soul_n if_o there_o be_v a_o thousand_o of_o they_o be_v comprehend_v under_o the_o word_n of_o those_o general_a set_a form_n do_v not_o satisfy_v for_o as_o on_o the_o one_o account_v set_v form_n be_v too_o few_o and_o straight_o or_o narrow_a to_o reach_v all_o particular_a state_n and_o seasonable_a time_n so_o if_o general_n can_v serve_v these_o set_a form_n common_o use_v be_v too_o many_o because_o one_o only_o set_v form_n of_o prayer_n contain_v in_o a_o few_o word_n may_v in_o general_a reach_n to_o all_o people_n state_n and_o sure_o none_o do_v or_o can_v better_o do_v that_o than_o the_o prayer_n which_o christ_n teach_v his_o disciple_n and_o if_o man_n deny_v that_o they_o have_v any_o assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o help_v they_o to_o conceive_v these_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n which_o they_o use_v be_v it_o not_o better_a to_o collect_v together_o form_n of_o prayer_n out_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n put_v all_o these_o word_n and_o sentence_n together_o which_o be_v most_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n or_o if_o belong_v to_o several_a purpose_n that_o have_v some_o fit_a connexion_n together_o and_o so_o the_o word_n of_o their_o prayer_n will_v be_v pure_a scripture_n word_n without_o any_o mixture_n of_o the_o word_n of_o man_n wisdom_n which_o be_v oft_o time_n very_o unsound_a 8._o they_o object_n that_o many_o who_o pray_v extempore_o contradict_v one_o another_o in_o thrir_fw-fr prayer_n ask_v contrary_a thing_n and_o therefore_o both_o such_o prayer_n can_v be_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n which_o as_o it_o be_v one_o in_o nature_n so_o in_o operation_n ever_o agree_v and_o in_o unity_n with_o itself_o ans._n the_o whole_a weight_n and_o stress_n of_o this_o objection_n lie_v upon_o person_n and_o man_n and_o not_o upon_o the_o principle_n to_o refute_v or_o refeâ—_n it_o in_o the_o least_o and_o as_o for_o these_o who_o most_o common_o pray_v contrary_a one_o to_o another_o they_o be_v such_o who_o do_v not_o pretend_v or_o lay_v claim_n to_o pray_v by_o divine_a immediate_a inspiration_n but_o if_o both_o side_n shall_v lay_v claim_n thereunto_o and_o yet_o contradict_v one_o another_o in_o their_o preach_a or_o pray_v it_o only_o prove_v that_o the_o man_n be_v faulty_a sometime_o on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o sometime_o on_o the_o other_o and_o sometime_o they_o may_v be_v faulty_a and_o wrong_n on_o both_o side_n but_o the_o principle_n remain_v still_o unblamable_a nor_o have_v this_o objection_n more_o weight_n now_o than_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o true_a prophet_n of_o old_a against_o who_o the_o false_a prophet_n both_o preach_v and_o pray_v and_o pretend_v to_o be_v also_o divine_o and_o immediate_o inspire_v as_o well_o as_o the_o true_a and_o last_o this_o objection_n can_v be_v well_o enough_o retort_v for_o they_o who_o pray_v by_o set_a form_n may_v pray_v contrary_a one_o to_o the_o other_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n have_v both_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n and_o pray_v one_o against_o another_o as_o well_o as_o preach_v when_o that_o great_a zeal_n and_o schism_n come_v to_o be_v between_o they_o and_o how_o many_o preach_v against_o one_o another_o who_o pretend_v to_o scripture_n and_o good_a reason_n and_o also_o to_o good_a literature_n which_o yet_o be_v no_o just_a reflection_n on_o any_o of_o these_o three_o thing_n but_o only_o on_o the_o man_n or_o person_n who_o abuse_v they_o 9_o it_o be_v object_v that_o paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n use_v the_o same_o form_n of_o salutation_n and_o prayer_n both_o at_o the_o beginning_n and_o end_n of_o they_o frequent_o and_o therefore_o he_o can_v not_o be_v against_o set_a form_n who_o use_v they_o so_o much_o himself_o as_o grace_n mercy_n and_o peace_n from_o god_n our_o father_n and_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o divers_a of_o they_o and_o at_o the_o end_n grace_n be_v with_o you_o etc._n etc._n answ._n these_o little_a short_a form_n be_v as_o be_v already_o say_v upon_o another_o occasion_n expression_n and_o signification_n of_o the_o prayer_n of_o aspiration_n and_o affection_n and_o not_o of_o that_o call_v discursive_a prayer_n which_o require_v divers_a sentence_n do_v not_o infer_v that_o set_a form_n may_v be_v use_v in_o discursive_a prayer_n for_o when_o the_o heart_n and_o affection_n be_v earnest_o and_o zealous_o bend_v and_o move_v to_o desire_v one_o only_a thing_n it_o may_v be_v express_v in_o one_o sentence_n and_o as_o oft_o as_o that_o affection_n be_v renew_v the_o expression_n of_o it_o in_o the_o same_o sentence_n as_o it_o free_o arise_v in_o the_o heart_n may_v be_v renew_v also_o but_o man_n find_v it_o not_o so_o in_o discursive_a prayer_n or_o other_o discursive_a exercise_n as_o when_o man_n at_o this_o day_n common_o write_v epistle_n one_o to_o another_o they_o retain_v some_o little_a common_a form_n of_o salutation_n at_o the_o beginning_n and_o end_n of_o their_o epistle_n which_o be_v commodious_a and_o not_o think_v strange_a not_o dislike_v but_o if_o a_o man_n yea_o if_o a_o schoolboy_n at_o school_n shall_v always_o write_v to_o his_o father_n or_o kindred_n the_o same_o word_n throughout_o without_o any_o alteration_n they_o will_v say_v he_o be_v a_o fool_n and_o void_a of_o understanding_n to_o be_v so_o barren_a as_o to_o have_v no_o new_a matter_n in_o his_o epistle_n even_o when_o daily_a occasion_n be_v give_v 10._o it_o be_v object_v that_o god_n be_v not_o delight_v with_o variety_n of_o word_n and_o novelty_n of_o matter_n and_o method_n in_o new_a style_n and_o flourish_n of_o trope_n and_o figure_n and_o be_v far_o unlike_o those_o squeemish_n stomach_n or_o delicious_a and_o lustful_a appetite_n who_o every_o day_n seek_v after_o variety_n of_o dish_n or_o else_o they_o can_v be_v satisfy_v at_o be_v the_o heart_n that_o he_o require_v answ._n it_o be_v true_a god_n be_v not_o delight_v with_o variety_n of_o word_n and_o sentence_n as_o man_n be_v or_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n but_o yet_o he_o require_v that_o every_o man_n make_v use_n of_o the_o grace_n and_o gift_n which_o he_o have_v give_v he_o and_o they_o be_v the_o work_n of_o god_n and_o proceed_v from_o he_o he_o may_v be_v say_v to_o delight_v in_o they_o and_o in_o their_o manifold_a variety_n as_o he_o do_v in_o all_o his_o other_o work_n although_o not_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n yet_o after_o such_o a_o way_n and_o manner_n as_o become_v his_o infinite_a greatness_n and_o perfection_n and_o though_o it_o be_v the_o heart_n that_o god_n main_o require_v and_o regard_v yet_o he_o command_v we_o to_o love_v and_o serve_v he_o with_o our_o whole_a man_n which_o be_v our_o reasonable_a service_n and_o we_o be_v to_o love_v he_o with_o all_o our_o understanding_n as_o well_o as_o heart_n as_o the_o scripture_n say_v and_o the_o best_a and_o most_o fruitful_a part_n of_o our_o understanding_n and_o all_o the_o gift_n belong_v to_o it_o our_o judgement_n reason_n and_o elocution_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v employ_v in_o his_o service_n and_o in_o this_o particular_a service_n of_o praver_fw-mi as_o holy_a man_n of_o old_a who_o use_v their_o understanding_n and_o reason_n and_o such_o elocution_n also_o and_o variety_n of_o expression_n as_o god_n have_v give_v they_o and_o so_o ought_v every_o man_n to_o do_v as_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n lead_v he_o and_o work_n upon_o he_o and_o those_o gift_n he_o have_v give_v he_o without_o affection_n or_o stretch_v and_o strain_v beyond_o his_o measure_n and_o though_o we_o find_v no_o affect_a or_o artificial_a eloquence_n in_o word_n of_o man_n wisdom_n which_o be_v carnal_a and_o from_o below_o yet_o a_o true_a eloquence_n and_o excellency_n of_o speech_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n both_o
heal_a and_o purify_n and_o sanctify_a nature_n more_o particular_o it_o have_v these_o two_o property_n 1._o to_o kill_v consume_v and_o destroy_v sin_n both_o in_o fruit_n and_o root_n stock_n and_o branch_n 2._o to_o beget_v righteousness_n and_o holiness_n which_o comprehend_v all_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n such_o as_o love_n meekness_n temperance_n patience_n humility_n joy_n peace_n hope_n and_o confidence_n etc._n etc._n q._n how_o be_v the_o grace_n or_o gift_n of_o god_n convey_v unto_o man_n at_o first_o and_o how_o be_v it_o receive_v a._n as_o a_o small_a thing_n even_o as_o a_o seed_n the_o least_o of_o all_o seed_n q._n and_o how_o be_v it_o multiply_v and_o increase_v in_o man_n heart_n a._n by_o its_o growth_n in_o they_o for_o if_o it_o do_v not_o grow_v in_o they_o it_o do_v not_o multiply_v but_o remain_v as_o dead_a and_o barren_a as_o unto_o they_o though_o live_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n q._n how_o do_v it_o grow_v in_o men._n a._n by_o get_v root_n in_o the_o heart_n even_o as_o a_o grain_n of_o corn_n by_o get_v root_n in_o the_o earth_n q._n how_o do_v it_o get_v root_n a._n it_o have_v a_o native_a virtue_n and_o influence_n in_o it_o whereby_o it_o take_v root_n in_o the_o heart_n natural_o if_o man_n do_v not_o resist_v it_o and_o though_o the_o ground_n where_o it_o seek_v to_o take_v root_n be_v foul_a and_o unfit_a yet_o it_o have_v a_o cleanse_n and_o fit_v virtue_n in_o it_o to_o prepare_v the_o ground_n and_o make_v it_o good_a and_o fit_a but_o it_o require_v man_n consent_n and_o concurrence_n which_o it_o act_n and_o god_n in_o it_o and_o with_o it_o draw_v and_o move_v effectual_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n unto_o q._n but_o may_v these_o drawing_n and_o move_n be_v common_o resist_v a._n yea_o they_o may_v and_o so_o the_o work_n of_o man_n salvation_n may_v be_v hinder_v by_o man_n himself_o and_o that_o both_o in_o the_o beginning_n or_o when_o begin_v in_o its_o progress_n q._n do_v god_n teach_v man_n all_o thing_n necessary_a unto_o faith_n and_o godliness_n by_o this_o principle_n a._n yea_o as_o he_o be_v faithful_o and_o chaste_o wait_v upon_o believe_v and_o follow_v q._n but_o have_v he_o not_o his_o order_n in_o teach_v or_o do_v he_o teach_v all_o at_o once_o a._n he_o have_v his_o order_n and_o do_v not_o teach_v all_o at_o once_o but_o line_n upon_o line_n here_o a_o little_a and_o there_o a_o little_a according_a as_o a_o man_n can_v bear_v through_o the_o gravity_n of_o his_o principle_n in_o they_o q._n what_o be_v the_o first_o thing_n he_o teach_v in_o and_o by_o this_o principle_n a._n to_o deny_v ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n to_o live_v sober_o and_o righteous_o to_o live_v godly_a and_o when_o they_o have_v ascend_v by_o those_o degree_n he_o bring_v they_o into_o his_o holy_a mountain_n city_n house_n kingdom_n oud_a paradise_n where_o he_o give_v they_o to_o enjoy_v of_o these_o pleasure_n and_o delight_n that_o because_o of_o the_o sweetness_n beauty_n and_o glory_n of_o they_o be_v beyond_o all_o utterance_n or_o thought_n of_o man_n heart_n q._n what_o be_v the_o first_o beginning_n of_o god_n work_v in_o the_o heart_n after_o convincement_n or_o enlighten_v the_o understanding_n a._n faith_n and_o repentance_n q._n what_o be_v faith_n a._n it_o be_v a_o cleave_v of_o the_o soul_n and_o heart_n of_o man_n unto_o god_n and_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o inward_a revelation_n of_o his_o divine_a power_n mercy_n and_o goodness_n in_o the_o shining_n of_o his_o own_o divine_a light_n life_n and_o spirit_n within_o he_o q._n be_v then_o the_o object_n of_o faith_n god_n and_o christ_n as_o inward_o reveal_v a._n yea._n q._n what_o faith_n then_o have_v they_o who_o say_v inward_a and_o immediate_a revelation_n be_v not_o the_o common_a privilege_n of_o man_n nay_o not_o of_o the_o saint_n in_o these_o day_n a._n they_o have_v not_o the_o true_a faith_n which_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o god_n elect_n that_o work_v by_o love_n and_o purify_v the_o heart_n and_o be_v fruitful_a of_o good_a work_n but_o their_o faith_n be_v but_o a_o dream_n and_o imagination_n which_o as_o it_o findetn_v they_o in_o their_o sin_n so_o it_o leave_v they_o to_o live_v and_o die_v in_o they_o q._n what_o be_v repentance_n a._n it_o be_v a_o change_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o of_o all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o its_o affection_n from_o sin_n and_o unrighteousness_n unto_o holiness_n and_o righteousness_n so_o that_o whereas_o it_o love_v desire_a and_o rejoice_v in_o sin_n before_o and_o have_v a_o distaste_n of_o all_o righteousness_n and_o holiness_n and_o a_o aversion_n and_o alienation_n therefrom_o now_o it_o have_v a_o distaste_n of_o sin_n universal_o and_o a_o aversion_n and_o alienation_n from_o it_o and_o a_o true_a and_o intimate_a love_n of_o all_o righteousness_n and_o holiness_n desire_v after_o it_o and_o joy_n therein_o and_o more_o abundant_o after_o and_o in_o god_n and_o christ_n who_o it_o be_v q._n how_o be_v this_o repentance_n wrought_v a._n by_o degree_n through_o the_o power_n of_o god_n his_o life_n his_o love_n his_o judgement_n his_o mercy_n his_o goodness_n reveal_v in_o his_o own_o light_n by_o his_o own_o spirit_n as_o the_o heart_n be_v turn_v thereunto_o and_o continue_v in_o a_o steady_a and_o fix_a application_n unto_o the_o same_o this_o natural_o and_o gentle_o melt_v and_o thaw_v the_o heart_n and_o break_v it_o into_o piece_n yea_o change_v it_o from_o a_o heart_n of_o stone_n into_o a_o heart_n of_o flesh_n and_o make_v it_o natural_o to_o savour_n and_o relish_v the_o thing_n of_o god_n which_o it_o hate_v before_o and_o to_o disrelish_v and_o distaste_v the_o thing_n of_o dishonesty_n and_o unrighteousness_n which_o it_o love_v before_o q._n what_o rule_n or_o law_n have_v god_n give_v unto_o man_n to_o serve_v obey_v and_o worship_n he_o a._n even_o the_o same_o divine_a and_o spiritual_a principle_n aforesaid_a the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o be_v nigh_o unto_o we_o even_o in_o our_o mouth_n and_o in_o our_o heart_n that_o we_o may_v know_v it_o believe_v it_o and_o obey_v it_o this_o be_v the_o law_n or_o rule_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n who_o walk_v after_o this_o rule_n peace_n be_v and_o shall_v remain_v upon_o they_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o condemnation_n unto_o they_o but_o justification_n and_o approbation_n from_o henceforth_o and_o for_o ever_o concern_v prayer_n i._o some_o question_n answer_v ii_o some_o reason_n give_v why_o all_o prayer_n in_o word_n whether_o only_o conceive_v in_o the_o heart_n or_o utter_v and_o express_v by_o the_o mouth_n shall_v be_v by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n help_v we_o to_o conceive_v those_o word_n iii_o some_o objection_n or_o seem_a reason_n bring_v for_o use_v set_v form_n of_o prayer_n read_v out_o of_o a_o book_n as_o if_o that_o read_v be_v prayer_n answer_v also_o a_o few_o word_n concern_v sing_v or_o praise_v god_n with_o a_o psalm_n by_o g._n k._n print_a in_o the_o year_n 1687._o to_o the_o love_v and_o friendly_a reader_n since_o it_o please_v the_o lord_n to_o give_v i_o some_o knowledge_n by_o experience_n what_o true_a prayer_n be_v after_o that_o i_o be_v turn_v with_o many_o other_o to_o his_o marvellous_a light_n to_o believe_v and_o walk_v in_o it_o wherein_o the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n be_v see_v and_o open_v many_o true_a and_o fresh_a and_o live_a open_n have_v arisen_a in_o i_o concern_v prayer_n the_o nature_n use_n end_n and_o manner_n of_o it_o and_o how_o true_a and_o right_a prayer_n be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v acceptable_o perform_v how_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n assist_v and_o help_v his_o servant_n and_o child_n to_o pray_v how_o he_o work_v not_o only_o upon_o their_o will_n and_o affection_n to_o quicken_v and_o excite_v they_o and_o make_v they_o fruitful_a with_o good_a and_o holy_a desire_n in_o the_o art_n or_o exercise_v of_o prayer_n but_o also_o how_o he_o work_v upon_o the_o understanding_n and_o all_o the_o intellectual_a power_n to_o enlighten_v they_o and_o give_v to_o man_n a_o true_a and_o real_a sense_n and_o understanding_n of_o his_o want_n or_o of_o the_o want_n of_o other_o for_o who_o he_o pray_v and_o also_o of_o the_o love_n mercy_n bounty_n and_o compassion_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o readiness_n and_o nearness_n of_o his_o help_a hand_n to_o supply_v all_o his_o and_o their_o want_n abundant_o when_o the_o inward_a and_o spiritual_a eye_n be_v open_v by_o the_o lord_n to_o see_v the_o well_o of_o live_v water_n where_o the_o thirsty_a soul_n may_v drink_v and_o also_o to_o see_v the_o lord_n table_n that_o be_v rich_o spread_v where_o it_o may_v eat_v abundant_o and_o be_v refresh_v and_o bless_v and_o
praise_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o all_o his_o great_a and_o rich_a mercy_n and_o blessing_n and_o if_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n do_v not_o enlighten_v the_o understanding_n and_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o teach_v he_o what_o to_o seek_v and_o pray_v for_o but_o only_o do_v warm_a and_o heat_v man_n affection_n all_o this_o will_v be_v but_o a_o blind_a devotion_n which_o all_o true_a protestant_n cry_v out_o against_o etc._n etc._n that_o heavenly_a and_o sacred_a fire_n that_o god_n send_v down_o into_o the_o heart_n of_o his_o people_n be_v not_o a_o dark_a obscure_a fire_n but_o shine_v and_o enlighten_v and_o have_v light_a as_o well_o as_o heat_n in_o it_o the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n be_v not_o only_o a_o spirit_n of_o love_n but_o a_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n and_o though_o there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o prayer_n that_o may_v be_v and_o oft_o be_v without_o word_n either_o express_v or_o conceive_v in_o the_o understanding_n because_o there_o be_v a_o degree_n of_o understanding_n in_o man_n that_o transcend_v all_o word_n i_o mean_v such_o word_n as_o we_o common_o use_v which_o be_v the_o sign_n of_o thing_n signify_v by_o they_o as_o aristotle_n define_v word_n verba_fw-la sunt_fw-la signarerum_fw-la i_o e._n word_n be_v the_o sign_n of_o thing_n in_o which_o high_a degree_n of_o understanding_n the_o spirit_n and_o mind_n of_o man_n reach_v to_o the_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a thing_n themselves_o without_o these_o word_n where_o the_o thing_n be_v word_n themselves_o or_o where_o the_o word_n and_o thing_n be_v not_o distinct_a but_o the_o thing_n be_v its_o own_o word_n and_o the_o word_n that_o signify_v it_o as_o the_o thing_n itself_o but_o aristotle_n so_o much_o admire_v for_o his_o worldly_a wisdom_n and_o philosophy_n as_o it_o seem_v know_v not_o this_o mystery_n nor_o yet_o do_v his_o follower_n notwithstanding_o of_o which_o because_o the_o lord_n who_o be_v infinite_o bountiful_a and_o gracious_a unto_o man_n do_v not_o only_o enlighten_v and_o shine_v upon_o this_o high_a part_n of_o man_n understanding_n but_o also_o cause_v his_o light_n and_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n to_o descend_v to_o the_o low_a degree_n thereof_o even_o to_o his_o reason_n and_o imagination_n for_o the_o very_a imagination_n of_o man_n be_v say_v in_o scripture_n to_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n see_v isa._n 26._o 3._o that_o which_o be_v translate_v in_o and_o according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n signify_v imagination_n see_v also_o 1_o chron._n 29._o 18._o keep_v this_o for_o ever_o in_o the_o imagination_n of_o the_o thought_n etc._n etc._n which_o inferior_a and_o low_a power_n of_o man_n soul_n can_v reach_v to_o divine_a thing_n without_o the_o sign_n of_o word_n therefore_o it_o please_v god_n to_o work_v upon_o the_o understanding_n of_o man_n so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o fruitful_a to_o bring_v forth_o good_a and_o pertinent_a word_n of_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o upon_o their_o mind_n and_o affection_n to_o bring_v forth_o the_o fruit_n of_o holy_a and_o spiritual_a desire_n wherefore_o the_o apostle_n pray_v to_o the_o lord_n that_o god_n will_v establish_v the_o true_a believer_n in_o he_o in_o every_o good_a word_n and_o work_n 2_o thes._n 2._o 17._o whence_o i_o conclude_v that_o good_a word_n be_v as_o real_a a_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o good_a work_n or_o desire_n and_o these_o good_a word_n must_v not_o be_v borrow_v word_n from_o the_o mouth_n or_o line_n of_o other_o make_v ready_a to_o our_o hand_n but_o must_v spring_v from_o the_o inward_a fruitfulness_n of_o our_o own_o understanding_n as_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n do_v water_v they_o and_o make_v they_o fruitful_a after_o a_o heavenly_a sort_n for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o corn_n that_o lie_v upon_o the_o ground_n though_o ever_o so_o abundant_o which_o have_v grow_v in_o another_o land_n or_o country_n that_o denominate_v the_o ground_n where_o it_o lie_v to_o be_v fruitful_a but_o that_o be_v only_o a_o fruitful_a ground_n which_o bring_v forth_o from_o within_o itself_o as_o it_o be_v assist_v by_o the_o heavenly_a rain_n and_o influence_n the_o like_a corn_n or_o any_o other_o grain_n that_o be_v good_a and_o profitable_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o the_o abundance_n even_o of_o scripture_n word_n which_o a_o man_n receive_v into_o his_o memory_n or_o bare_a natural_a understanding_n that_o simple_o make_v his_o mind_n and_o understanding_n fruitful_a unto_o god_n but_o the_o inward_a sense_n and_o mystery_n of_o scripture_n word_n must_v be_v open_v in_o he_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o then_o the_o understanding_n of_o a_o man_n by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o scripture_n word_n be_v inward_o and_o spiritual_o open_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n bring_v forth_o as_o it_o be_v as_o so_o many_o seed_n a_o plentiful_a harvest_n where_o the_o good_a ground_n of_o the_o good_a and_o honest_a heart_n yield_v its_o fruit_n some_o thirty_o some_o sixty_o and_o some_o a_o hundred_o fold_v and_o always_o with_o some_o increase_n so_o that_o although_o scripture_n word_n have_v a_o most_o excellent_a service_n and_o use_v to_o the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o their_o mind_n and_o understanding_n be_v make_v fruitful_a with_o the_o spiritual_a knowledge_n and_o open_n of_o they_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o the_o ground_n or_o soil_n be_v with_o seed_n sow_v in_o it_o yet_o the_o understanding_n be_v not_o confine_v to_o the_o strict_a and_o precise_a number_n of_o scripture_n word_n but_o yield_v a_o increase_n of_o other_o word_n from_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o of_o the_o same_o tendency_n and_o signification_n as_o the_o seed_n that_o be_v sow_v yield_v more_o grain_n than_o what_o be_v sow_v these_o and_o such_o like_a open_n in_o great_a plenty_n to_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n have_v live_o spring_v up_o in_o i_o as_o concern_v prayer_n time_n after_o time_n and_o have_v at_o the_o present_a writing_n be_v live_o bring_v to_o my_o remembrance_n with_o a_o addition_n of_o many_o more_o which_o here_o i_o present_a to_o all_o friendly_a and_o love_a reader_n to_o who_o hand_n this_o may_v come_v for_o a_o general_a service_n where_o i_o have_v handle_v and_o treat_v of_o thing_n i_o hope_v sober_o and_o fair_o in_o the_o spirit_n of_o love_n and_o meekness_n not_o name_v any_o person_n or_o party_n by_o way_n of_o reflection_n to_o provoke_v they_o to_o anger_n or_o dislike_v only_o with_o some_o fervency_n but_o yet_o in_o true_a love_n i_o have_v reprove_v and_o argue_v against_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n without_o a_o set_a form_n and_o yet_o deny_v the_o spirit_n immediate_a teach_n and_o assistance_n and_o though_o i_o aim_v against_o read_v set_v form_n of_o prayer_n so_o as_o to_o make_v that_o read_n to_o be_v prayer_n itself_o yet_o i_o be_o not_o simple_o against_o read_v of_o prayer_n which_o have_v in_o any_o measure_n proceed_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o age_n past_a some_o question_n and_o answer_n concern_v prayer_n and_o some_o reason_n that_o all_o prayer_n in_o word_n whether_o conceive_v in_o the_o heart_n or_o utter_v and_o express_v by_o mouth_n shall_v be_v by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o spirit_n help_v we_o to_o conceive_v those_o word_n with_o a_o answer_n to_o some_o objection_n or_o seem_a reason_n bring_v for_o use_v set_v form_n of_o prayer_n read_v out_o of_o a_o book_n also_o concern_v sing_v or_o praise_v god_n with_o a_o psalm_n quest._n what_o be_v prayer_n a._n it_o be_v a_o call_n upon_o the_o name_n of_o god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o ask_n of_o he_o in_o faith_n the_o thing_n which_o we_o shall_v or_o do_v desire_v q._n what_o be_v these_o thing_n which_o we_o shall_v desire_v and_o ask_v of_o god_n by_o prayer_n a._n they_o be_v many_o but_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o head_n 1._o the_o thing_n which_o be_v for_o god_n glory_n and_o the_o sanctify_a his_o great_a name_n in_o the_o earth_n 2._o the_o thing_n which_o we_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o or_o want_v as_o to_o ourselves_o 3._o we_o be_v also_o to_o pray_v for_o other_o even_o for_o all_o man_n that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v who_o day_n of_o salvation_n be_v not_o expire_v yea_o for_o our_o great_a enemy_n also_o we_o be_v to_o pray_v for_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o general_n that_o god_n may_v build_v she_o up_o more_o and_o more_o preserve_v and_o defend_v she_o multiply_v his_o grace_n and_o pour_v out_o his_o spirit_n more_o abundant_o upon_o she_o and_o upon_o her_o member_n in_o their_o respective_a place_n and_o especial_o for_o those_o who_o have_v a_o public_a ministry_n in_o the_o church_n that_o he_o may_v