of_o god_n second_o another_o sign_n that_o this_o admire_a fluency_n and_o enlargement_n in_o prayer_n proceed_v from_o mere_a natural_a enthusiasm_n be_v this_o that_o general_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o prayer_n they_o find_v themselves_o streighten_v and_o confine_v both_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n and_o word_n of_o it_o till_o they_o have_v pray_v on_o for_o a_o while_n and_o then_o they_o grow_v more_o ready_a and_o fluent_a which_o how_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v i_o know_v not_o suppose_v the_o prayer_n be_v inspire_v unless_o perhaps_o the_o spirit_n come_v in_o only_a in_o the_o middle_n or_o towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o their_o prayer_n but_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o own_o invention_n in_o the_o beginning_n and_o what_o reason_n there_o shall_v be_v for_o such_o a_o imagination_n i_o confess_v i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o guess_v the_o true_a account_n therefore_o of_o the_o matter_n be_v this_o that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o prayer_n their_o spirit_n be_v usual_o dull_a and_o sluggish_a and_o do_v not_o flow_v and_o reflow_v so_o brisk_o to_o their_o head_n and_o heart_n as_o afterward_o when_o they_o have_v be_v thorough_o chafe_v and_o heat_v with_o the_o labour_n and_o exercise_v of_o invention_n by_o which_o be_v excite_v and_o awaken_v they_o natural_o raise_v the_o droop_a fancy_n and_o render_v the_o invention_n more_o copious_a fluent_a and_o easy_a so_o that_o mere_o by_o the_o law_n of_o matter_n and_o motion_n as_o plain_a a_o account_n may_v be_v give_v of_o this_o extemporary_a fluency_n and_o enlargement_n of_o prayer_n as_o of_o any_o other_o natural_a effect_n whatsoever_o and_o therefore_o for_o our_o brethren_n to_o attribute_v to_o the_o immediate_a inspiration_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n that_o which_o have_v such_o apparent_a sign_n of_o its_o derivation_n from_o natural_a cause_n be_v i_o conceive_v very_o unwarrantable_a by_o all_o which_o i_o think_v it_o be_v very_o evident_a not_o only_o that_o we_o have_v no_o sign_n of_o the_o continuance_n of_o this_o gift_n of_o inspiration_n of_o prayer_n remain_v among_o we_o but_o that_o we_o have_v manifest_a sign_n of_o the_o contrary_n 4._o and_o last_o that_o to_o suppose_v the_o continuance_n of_o this_o gift_n of_o inspiration_n of_o prayer_n be_v to_o suppose_v more_o than_o our_o brethren_n themselves_o will_v allow_v of_o viz._n that_o their_o conceive_a prayer_n be_v infallible_a and_o of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o if_o our_o prayer_n be_v dictate_v to_o we_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n they_o must_v be_v as_o infallible_a as_o he_o who_o infinite_a knowledge_n can_v suffer_v he_o to_o be_v deceive_v and_o who_o infinite_a veracity_n will_v not_o admit_v he_o to_o deceive_v and_o if_o so_o than_o whatsoever_o he_o dictate_v or_o inspire_v must_v be_v remove_v from_o all_o possibility_n of_o error_n or_o mistake_v and_o consequent_o our_o prayer_n must_v be_v so_o too_o suppose_v he_o inspire_v the_o matter_n and_o word_n of_o they_o and_o as_o they_o must_v be_v infallible_a in_o themselves_o so_o they_o must_v be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o scripture_n for_o that_o which_o give_v the_o scripture_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v their_o be_v inspire_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o whatsoever_o matter_n or_o word_n be_v so_o inspire_v be_v as_o much_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o any_o matter_n or_o word_n in_o scripture_n all_o scripture_n be_v give_v say_v the_o apostle_n by_o the_o inspiration_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o whatsoever_o be_v give_v by_o his_o inspiration_n must_v necessary_o be_v his_o word_n for_o what_o those_o holy_a man_n of_o god_n speak_v who_o deliver_v the_o scripture_n they_o speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 21._o and_o therefore_o what_o they_o deliver_v be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n because_o their_o mouth_n be_v the_o oracle_n through_o which_o god_n speak_v if_o therefore_o when_o we_o pray_v we_o be_v move_v as_o they_o be_v by_o the_o immediate_a inspiration_n of_o god_n what_o we_o pray_v must_v be_v as_o much_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o what_o they_o speak_v so_o that_o either_o our_o brethren_n must_v affirm_v that_o their_o conceive_a prayer_n be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o scripture_n which_o i_o be_o sure_a no_o sober_a dissenter_n will_v presume_v or_o deny_v that_o they_o be_v immediate_o inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v what_o those_o extraordinary_a operation_n be_v which_o the_o scripture_n attribute_n to_o the_o spirit_n in_o prayer_n i_o proceed_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o inquire_v what_o the_o ordinary_a and_o stand_a operation_n be_v which_o the_o scripture_n attribute_n to_o he_o and_o which_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o continue_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v give_v but_o a_o very_a brief_a account_n because_o herein_o we_o be_v all_o agree_v in_o short_a therefore_o the_o ordinary_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n consist_v in_o exciting_a in_o we_o the_o grace_n and_o proper_a affection_n of_o prayer_n such_o as_o shame_v and_o sorrow_n in_o the_o confession_n of_o our_o sin_n a_o sense_n of_o our_o need_n of_o mercy_n and_o a_o hope_n of_o obtain_v it_o in_o our_o supplication_n for_o pardon_n resignation_n to_o god_n will_n and_o dependence_n on_o his_o goodness_n in_o our_o prayer_n for_o temporal_a mercy_n and_o deliverance_n hunger_n and_o thirst_n after_o righteousness_n in_o our_o petition_n for_o his_o grace_n and_o assistance_n and_o in_o a_o word_n gratitude_n and_o love_n and_o admiration_n of_o god_n in_o our_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n for_o mercy_n for_o in_o these_o divine_a and_o gracious_a affection_n the_o life_n and_o soul_n of_o prayer_n consist_v as_o for_o the_o word_n and_o expression_n of_o it_o about_o which_o our_o brethren_n disagree_v with_o we_o they_o be_v of_o no_o other_o account_n with_o god_n than_o as_o they_o signify_v to_o he_o the_o grace_n and_o affection_n of_o our_o prayer_n without_o which_o he_o regard_v they_o no_o more_o than_o he_o do_v the_o whistle_n of_o the_o wind_n and_o therefore_o since_o these_o affection_n be_v the_o main_a of_o our_o prayer_n and_o word_n be_v nothing_o in_o his_o account_n in_o comparison_n with_o they_o can_v any_o man_n be_v so_o vain_a as_o to_o imagine_v that_o those_o affection_n will_v be_v ever_o a_o whit_n the_o less_o acceptable_a to_o he_o because_o they_o be_v present_v in_o a_o form_n of_o word_n and_o not_o in_o extemporary_a effusion_n sure_o that_o father_n will_v be_v very_o capricious_a that_o shall_v deny_v bread_n to_o his_o hungry_a child_n mere_o because_o he_o ask_v it_o to_o day_n in_o the_o same_o word_n that_o he_o do_v yesterday_o and_o to_o imagine_v that_o god_n will_v dislike_v or_o reject_v the_o good_a affection_n of_o our_o prayer_n mere_o because_o they_o be_v every_o day_n express_v in_o the_o same_o form_n be_v to_o suppose_v he_o a_o very_a captious_a be_v and_o one_o that_o be_v more_o take_v with_o our_o word_n than_o with_o our_o affection_n the_o contrary_a of_o which_o he_o have_v give_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o in_o this_o very_a particular_a in_o that_o whereas_o he_o have_v withdraw_v from_o we_o as_o i_o have_v prove_v at_o large_a the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o word_n of_o our_o prayer_n and_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o composure_n of_o our_o own_o or_o other_o man_n invention_n he_o still_o continue_v to_o inspire_v we_o with_o the_o affection_n of_o prayer_n and_o to_o excite_v they_o to_o a_o due_a activity_n for_o to_o this_o among_o other_o purpose_n it_o be_v that_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o continue_v his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o we_o to_o enable_v we_o to_o address_v ourselves_o to_o he_o with_o devout_a and_o holy_a affection_n thus_o gal._n 4._o 6._o because_o you_o be_v son_n god_n have_v send_v forth_o the_o spirit_n of_o his_o son_n into_o your_o heart_n cry_v abba_n father_n that_o be_v by_o kindle_v devout_a and_o filial_a affection_n in_o your_o soul_n enable_v you_o to_o cry_v to_o god_n with_o all_o earnestness_n and_o assurance_n as_o to_o a_o kind_n and_o merciful_a father_n and_o hence_o also_o we_o be_v say_v to_o pray_v in_o or_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n judas_n 20._o it_o be_v by_o he_o that_o those_o good_a affection_n be_v raise_v in_o we_o that_o we_o offer_v up_o to_o god_n in_o our_o prayer_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v well_o be_v say_v to_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n because_o it_o be_v by_o the_o spirit_n that_o we_o be_v inspire_v with_o those_o holy_a affection_n which_o be_v the_o soul_n of_o our_o prayer_n and_o according_o the_o spirit_n be_v say_v to_o make_v intercession_n for_o we_o with_o sigh_n and_o groan_n which_o be_v not_o to_o
certain_a case_n of_o conscience_n resolve_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o join_v with_o form_n of_o prayer_n in_o public_a worship_n part_n i._o viz._n i._o whether_o the_o use_n of_o form_n of_o prayer_n do_v not_o stint_v and_o limit_v the_o spirit_n ii_o whether_o the_o use_v public_a form_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o a_o sinful_a omission_n of_o the_o ministerial_a gift_n of_o prayer_n iii_o whether_o pray_v by_o a_o public_a form_n do_v not_o deaden_a the_o devotion_n of_o prayer_n london_n print_v by_o henry_n hill_n jun._n for_o fincham_n gardiner_n at_o the_o white_a horse_n in_o ludgate-street_n 1683._o book_n print_v by_o fincham_n gardiner_z a_o continuation_n and_o vindication_n of_o the_o defence_n of_o dr._n stillingfleet_v unreasonableness_n of_o separation_n in_o answer_n to_o mr._n baxter_n and_o mr._n job_n etc._n etc._n a_o persuasion_n to_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n a_o resolution_n of_o some_o case_n of_o conscience_n which_o respect_n church-communion_n the_o case_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n use_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n propose_v and_o state_v by_o consider_v these_o question_n etc._n etc._n a_o discourse_n about_o edification_n consideration_n of_o present_a use_n consider_v the_o danger_n result_v from_o the_o change_n of_o our_o church-government_n the_o resolution_n of_o this_o case_n of_o conscience_n whether_o the_o church_n of_o england_n '_o s_z symbolise_v so_o far_o as_o it_o do_v with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v it_o unlawful_a to_o hold_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n a_o letter_n to_o anonymus_fw-la in_o answer_n to_o his_o three_o letter_n to_o dr._n sherlock_n about_o church-communion_n a_o resolution_n of_o the_o case_n of_o conscience_n which_o concern_v the_o use_n of_o form_n of_o prayer_n one_o of_o the_o main_a point_n which_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n insist_v on_o to_o justify_v their_o separation_n from_o our_o church_n be_v that_o our_o public_a worship_n be_v perform_v in_o a_o form_n of_o word_n of_o man_n invention_n which_o they_o conceive_v be_v unlawful_a for_o hereby_o say_v some_o of_o they_o the_o holy_a spirit_n who_o inspire_v our_o prayer_n be_v stint_v and_o limit_v and_o hereby_o the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n say_v other_o which_o the_o holy_a spirit_n communicate_v to_o minister_n to_o enable_v they_o to_o express_v the_o devotion_n of_o their_o congregation_n to_o god_n be_v render_v useless_a and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o even_o the_o devotion_n of_o the_o congregation_n too_o be_v mighty_o deaden_v by_o be_v continual_o express_v in_o the_o same_o form_n of_o word_n beside_o that_o the_o want_n of_o christian_n be_v various_a casual_a and_o emergent_a can_v be_v so_o full_o represent_v in_o a_o fix_a form_n as_o in_o conceive_v prayer_n which_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o variation_n in_o expression_n may_v be_v the_o better_o extend_v to_o the_o continual_a variation_n of_o man_n case_n and_o circumstance_n beside_o all_o which_o say_v they_o we_o have_v no_o warrant_n for_o the_o use_n of_o form_n either_o in_o scripture_n or_o pure_a antiquity_n and_o if_o we_o have_v yet_o a_o universal_a imposition_n of_o they_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v lawful_o comply_v with_o this_o according_a to_o the_o best_a recollection_n i_o can_v make_v be_v the_o sum_n of_o what_o our_o brethren_n urge_v against_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o join_v with_o we_o in_o a_o state_v liturgy_n or_o form_n of_o public_a worship_n and_o therefore_o in_o order_n to_o the_o satisfy_v their_o conscience_n in_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v reduce_v their_o whole_a plea_n to_o these_o follow_a case_n and_o endeavour_v a_o plain_a and_o clear_a resolution_n of_o they_o 1._o whether_o pray_v in_o a_o form_n of_o word_n do_v not_o stint_v or_o limit_v the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n 2._o whether_o the_o use_v of_o public_a form_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o a_o sinful_a neglect_n of_o the_o ministerial_a gift_n of_o prayer_n 3._o whether_o the_o constant_a use_n of_o the_o same_o form_n of_o prayer_n do_v not_o very_o much_o deaden_a the_o devotion_n of_o prayer_n 4._o whether_o the_o common_a want_n of_o christian_a congregation_n may_v not_o be_v better_o represent_v in_o conceive_a prayer_n than_o in_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n 5._o whether_o there_o be_v any_o warrant_n for_o form_n of_o prayer_n either_o in_o scripture_n or_o pure_a antiquity_n 6._o whether_o suppose_v form_n to_o be_v lawful_a the_o imposition_n of_o they_o can_v be_v lawful_o comply_v with_o case_n i._o whether_o pray_v in_o a_o form_n of_o word_n do_v not_o stint_v and_o limit_v the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n in_o order_n to_o the_o resolution_n of_o this_o case_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o explain_v first_o what_o it_o be_v that_o the_o scripture_n attribute_n to_o the_o spirit_n in_o prayer_n and_o second_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o stint_v or_o limit_v the_o spirit_n in_o prayer_n 1._o what_o be_v it_o that_o the_o scripture_n attribute_n to_o the_o spirit_n in_o prayer_n i_o answer_v there_o be_v some_o thing_n attribute_v to_o he_o which_o be_v extraordinary_a and_o temporary_a and_o other_o that_o be_v ordinary_a fix_v and_o stand_v the_o through_o state_n and_o distinguish_v of_o which_o will_v very_o much_o contribute_v to_o the_o resolution_n of_o this_o present_a case_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v insist_v more_o large_o upon_o it_o first_o i_o say_v there_o be_v some_o thing_n attribute_v to_o the_o holy_a spirit_n in_o this_o matter_n of_o prayer_n which_o be_v extraordinary_a and_o temporary_a and_o that_o be_v the_o immediate_a inspiration_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o prayer_n together_o with_o a_o ability_n to_o express_v and_o utter_v it_o in_o know_v or_o unknown_a language_n thus_o as_o for_o the_o immediate_a inspiration_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o prayer_n we_o read_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n of_o prayer_n and_o praise_n which_o upon_o special_a occasion_n be_v immediate_o indict_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n for_o so_o when_o hannah_n present_v her_o son_n to_o the_o lord_n in_o shiloh_n the_o text_n only_o say_v that_o she_o pray_v and_o say_v but_o the_o targum_fw-la paraphrase_n it_o that_o she_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n and_o according_o pray_v and_o praise_v by_o immediate_a inspiration_n be_v frequent_o call_v prophesy_v so_o 1_o sam._n 10._o 5._o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v come_v upon_o thou_o and_o thou_o shall_v prophesy_v that_o be_v as_o expositor_n general_o interpret_v it_o thou_o shall_v utter_v spiritual_a psalm_n and_o hymn_n by_o immediate_a inspiration_n on_o the_o place_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o word_n use_v numb_a 11._o 25._o 1_o chron._n 25._o 1._o and_o according_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v say_v of_o zacharias_n that_o he_o be_v fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o prophesy_v say_v bless_a be_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n etc._n etc._n the_o matter_n of_o all_o which_o prayer_n and_o praise_n together_o with_o those_o in_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n and_o sundry_a other_o record_v in_o scripture_n be_v immediate_o dictate_v to_o those_o inspire_a person_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o deliver_v by_o they_o without_o any_o recourse_n to_o their_o own_o invention_n or_o consideration_n though_o as_o to_o the_o word_n of_o they_o it_o may_v be_v just_o question_v whether_o they_o be_v not_o leave_v to_o their_o own_o composure_n as_o it_o seem_v very_o probable_a the_o word_n of_o all_o other_o inspiration_n be_v for_o consider_v how_o the_o inspire_a person_n differ_v in_o their_o stile_n according_a as_o they_o differ_v in_o their_o education_n in_o their_o natural_a part_n and_o intellectual_a improvement_n it_o be_v very_o likely_a they_o themselves_o compose_v and_o word_v their_o own_o inspiration_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n take_v care_n only_o so_o to_o oversee_v and_o direct_v they_o that_o their_o word_n may_v not_o misrepresent_v their_o matter_n and_o if_o so_o how_o much_o less_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o suppose_v that_o the_o spirit_n inspire_v the_o word_n of_o our_o prayer_n but_o this_o i_o shall_v not_o insist_v on_o however_o after_o that_o great_a descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n at_o pentecost_n wherein_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n be_v communicate_v to_o enable_v the_o first_o planter_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o propagate_v it_o through_o the_o world_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o not_o only_o the_o matter_n of_o their_o prayer_n but_o even_o the_o very_a language_n too_o in_o which_o they_o express_v they_o be_v immediate_o inspire_v insomuch_o that_o they_o be_v not_o only_o enable_v to_o pray_v upon_o the_o place_n in_o apt_a and_o fluent_a expression_n but_o also_o to_o pray_v in_o language_n which_o they_o never_o understand_v before_o and_o which_o even_o then_o they_o understand_v but_o very_o imperfect_o and_o also_o to_o interpret_v those_o prayer_n into_o the_o vulgar_a
be_v utter_v rom._n 8._o 26._o which_o word_n be_v far_o from_o assert_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o word_n of_o our_o prayer_n though_o they_o be_v urge_v by_o our_o brethren_n for_o that_o purpose_n for_o as_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o prayer_n here_o be_v not_o the_o least_o hint_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v inspire_v it_o for_o as_o to_o that_o the_o christian_n who_o he_o speak_v of_o be_v well_o instruct_v already_o by_o their_o christian_a institution_n but_o all_o that_o be_v affirm_v be_v that_o the_o spirit_n enable_v they_o to_o offer_v up_o the_o matter_n of_o prayer_n to_o god_n in_o a_o most_o devout_a and_o affectionate_a manner_n with_o sigh_n and_o groan_n that_o be_v with_o earnest_n and_o flagrant_a affection_n and_o as_o for_o the_o word_n of_o prayer_n the_o text_n be_v so_o far_o from_o imply_v the_o inspiration_n of_o they_o that_o it_o plain_o tell_v we_o that_o those_o sigh_n and_o groan_n which_o the_o spirit_n inspire_v be_v such_o as_o be_v not_o to_o be_v utter_v or_o word_v and_o sure_o to_o inspire_v we_o with_o affection_n that_o be_v too_o big_a for_o word_n can_v imply_v the_o inspiration_n of_o word_n so_o that_o the_o spirit_n be_v intercede_v for_o we_o with_o sigh_n and_o groan_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v utter_v can_v imply_v no_o more_o than_o his_o exciting_a in_o we_o the_o proper_a affection_n of_o prayer_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n he_o be_v say_v in_o the_o next_o verse_n to_o make_v intercession_n for_o the_o saint_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n viz._n by_o enable_v they_o to_o offer_v up_o the_o matter_n of_o prayer_n to_o god_n with_o such_o fervent_a and_o devout_a affection_n as_o be_v necessary_a to_o render_v it_o acceptable_a to_o he_o which_o be_v proper_o to_o intercede_v for_o we_o for_o as_o christ_n who_o be_v our_o advocate_n in_o heaven_n do_v offer_v up_o our_o prayer_n to_o the_o father_n and_o enforce_v they_o with_o his_o own_o intercession_n so_o his_o spirit_n who_o be_v our_o advocate_n upon_o earth_n beget_v in_o we_o those_o affection_n which_o render_v our_o prayer_n prevalent_a and_o wing_n they_o with_o fervour_n and_o ardency_n the_o one_o plead_v with_o god_n for_o we_o in_o our_o own_o heart_n by_o kindle_v such_o desire_n there_o as_o render_v our_o prayer_n acceptable_a to_o he_o and_o the_o other_o plead_v with_o he_o for_o we_o in_o heaven_n by_o present_v those_o desire_n and_o solicit_v their_o supply_n and_o acceptance_n and_o thus_o you_o see_v what_o that_o stand_a and_o ordinary_a operation_n be_v which_o the_o scripture_n attribute_n to_o the_o spirit_n in_o prayer_n and_o now_o before_o i_o proceed_v to_o determine_v the_o present_a case_n i_o shall_v only_o far_o inquire_v what_o it_o mean_v by_o that_o phrase_n of_o stint_v and_o limit_v the_o spirit_n in_o short_a therefore_o to_o stint_v or_o limit_v the_o spirit_n be_v a_o modern_a phrase_n of_o which_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n in_o scripture_n or_o antiquity_n but_o it_o be_v a_o term_n of_o art_n coin_v and_o invent_v by_o our_o brethren_n and_o apply_v onlyto_o the_o present_a controversy_n concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o form_n of_o prayer_n which_o by_o the_o way_n be_v a_o plain_a evidence_n that_o this_o argument_n against_o form_n viz._n that_o they_o stint_v the_o spirit_n be_v very_o new_a since_o though_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v use_v not_o only_o in_o the_o scripture_n age_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o but_o also_o in_o all_o successive_a age_n of_o christianity_n yet_o till_o very_o late_o we_o never_o hear_v on_o syllable_n of_o stint_v or_o limit_v the_o spirit_n by_o they_o the_o meaning_n of_o which_o phrase_n be_v this_o that_o by_o use_v form_n of_o prayer_n we_o hinder_v the_o spirit_n from_o afford_v we_o some_o assistance_n in_o prayer_n which_o otherwise_o we_o may_v reasonable_o expect_v from_o he_o for_o so_o our_o brethren_n explain_v the_o phrase_n viz._n that_o by_o confine_v ourselves_o to_o a_o form_n of_o word_n we_o restrain_v the_o spirit_n from_o give_v we_o that_o assistance_n which_o he_o ordinary_o vouchsafe_v in_o conceive_a prayer_n and_o now_o have_v full_o state_v the_o case_n the_o resolution_n of_o it_o will_v be_v short_a and_o easy_a it_o have_v be_v show_v at_o large_a that_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o assistance_n in_o prayer_n which_o the_o scripture_n attribute_n to_o the_o spirit_n the_o first_o extraordinary_a and_o temporary_a viz._n the_o immediate_a inspiration_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o word_n of_o prayer_n the_o second_o ordinary_a and_o abide_v viz._n exciting_a the_o devotion_n and_o proper_a affection_n of_o prayer_n if_o therefore_o the_o spirit_n be_v stint_v hinder_v or_o restrain_v by_o form_n of_o prayer_n it_o must_v be_v either_o from_o inspire_v the_o word_n and_o matter_n or_o from_o exciting_a the_o affection_n of_o prayer_n as_o for_o the_o latter_a to_o which_o this_o phrase_n of_o stint_v be_v never_o apply_v by_o our_o brethren_n i_o shall_v discourse_v of_o it_o at_o large_a in_o the_o three_o case_n wherein_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v so_o far_o from_o restrain_v the_o devotion_n of_o it_o that_o they_o very_o much_o promote_v and_o improve_v it_o and_o as_o for_o the_o former_a viz._n the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o word_n of_o prayer_n that_o i_o have_v prove_v be_v extraordinary_a and_o intend_v only_o as_o other_o miraculous_a gift_n be_v for_o the_o first_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o since_o as_o to_o this_o matter_n the_o spirit_n have_v stint_v himself_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o form_n of_o prayer_n can_v stint_v he_o for_o how_o can_v that_o be_v stint_v which_o be_v not_o and_o if_o now_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o immediate_a inspiration_n of_o prayer_n how_o can_v it_o be_v limit_v by_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n in_o a_o word_n if_o the_o spirit_n of_o his_o own_o accord_n have_v long_o since_o withdraw_v this_o gift_n of_o inspiration_n how_o can_v it_o be_v now_o say_v that_o he_o be_v restrain_v from_o communicate_v it_o by_o any_o cause_n without_o he_o case_n ii_o whether_o the_o use_v of_o public_a form_n be_v not_o a_o sinful_a neglect_n of_o the_o ministerial_a gift_n of_o prayer_n in_o order_n to_o the_o resolution_n of_o which_o case_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o give_v a_o brief_a state_n of_o it_o according_a as_o it_o be_v put_v and_o urge_v by_o our_o brethren_n by_o the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n then_o they_o mean_v a_o ability_n to_o express_v our_o mind_n to_o god_n in_o prayer_n or_o to_o offer_v up_o our_o desire_n and_o affection_n to_o he_o in_o word_n befit_v the_o matter_n of_o they_o which_o ability_n say_v they_o be_v give_v by_o god_n to_o his_o minister_n as_o a_o mean_n of_o public_a prayer_n and_o in_o order_n to_o their_o be_v the_o mouth_n of_o their_o congregation_n to_o god_n to_o represent_v to_o he_o the_o common_a case_n and_o necessity_n of_o their_o people_n and_o therefore_o since_o god_n say_v they_o have_v give_v we_o this_o gift_n as_o a_o mean_n of_o public_a devotion_n and_o in_o order_n to_o our_o offer_v up_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o people_n it_o may_v be_v just_o question_v whether_o we_o may_v lawful_o omit_v the_o use_n of_o it_o by_o use_v public_a form_n of_o other_o man_n composure_n now_o before_o i_o enter_v into_o a_o particular_a consideration_n of_o this_o case_n i_o shall_v brief_o premise_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o this_o case_n concern_v the_o clergy_n only_o and_o not_o the_o laity_n for_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o minister_n to_o omit_v the_o use_n of_o their_o own_o ability_n to_o express_v the_o devotion_n of_o their_o congregation_n what_o be_v that_o to_o the_o people_n be_v they_o accountable_a for_o their_o minister_n fault_n or_o will_v god_n reject_v their_o sincere_a devotion_n because_o the_o person_n that_o utter_v they_o be_v guilty_a of_o a_o sinful_a omission_n if_o so_o it_o will_v be_v of_o dangerous_a consequence_n to_o they_o to_o join_v in_o any_o public_a prayer_n at_o all_o whether_o they_o be_v form_n or_o extemporary_a they_o be_v every_o whit_n as_o accountable_a for_o the_o nonsense_n impertinence_n and_o irreverence_n of_o their_o minister_n in_o the_o latter_a as_o for_o their_o omit_v the_o use_n of_o their_o own_o ability_n in_o the_o former_a if_o therefore_o this_o omission_n be_v a_o sin_n it_o be_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o minister_n as_o for_o the_o people_n they_o join_v with_o he_o indeed_o in_o offer_v up_o the_o matter_n of_o prayer_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o form_n he_o pronounce_v but_o they_o join_v not_o with_o he_o in_o the_o omission_n of_o the_o use_n of_o his_o ability_n that_o be_v his_o own_o