word_n and_o a_o suitable_a degree_n and_o measure_n of_o life_n to_o accompany_v they_o wherewith_o to_o minister_v in_o prayer_n and_o whereby_o the_o faint_a and_o weak_a desire_n of_o the_o hearer_n many_o time_n be_v enlarge_v and_o strengthen_v but_o it_o can_v never_o be_v suppose_v that_o he_o who_o only_o read_v a_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n out_o of_o a_o book_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o calendar_n or_o repeat_v it_o from_o his_o memory_n can_v pray_v with_o either_o such_o fit_a and_o suitable_a matter_n of_o word_n or_o can_v minister_v that_o suitable_a degree_n and_o measure_n of_o life_n that_o the_o hearer_n require_v and_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o for_o where_o the_o word_n be_v not_o seasonable_a life_n will_v not_o join_v with_o they_o to_o make_v they_o effectual_a and_o profitable_a to_o the_o hearer_n i_o know_v it_o will_v be_v hard_a for_o these_o who_o have_v not_o the_o inward_a experience_n of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o divine_a life_n and_o spirit_n in_o their_o own_o soul_n to_o believe_v or_o imagine_v how_o the_o speaker_n who_o be_v assist_v to_o preach_v or_o pray_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n can_v have_v a_o distinct_a and_o clear_a feel_n of_o the_o several_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o people_n and_o in_o that_o sense_n and_o feeling_n be_v enable_v by_o the_o same_o spirit_n who_o give_v this_o sense_n to_o he_o to_o minister_v to_o they_o all_o that_o which_o be_v seasonable_a both_o for_o matter_n and_o life_n however_o this_o be_v abundant_o know_v and_o witness_v to_o those_o who_o have_v a_o inward_a experience_n of_o life_n and_o its_o work_n in_o themselves_o to_o be_v a_o truth_n for_o as_o in_o the_o natural_a body_n one_o member_n have_v a_o sense_n of_o its_o fellow_n member_n and_o the_o more_o noble_a that_o one_o member_n be_v its_o sense_n of_o the_o other_o member_n be_v the_o more_o universal_a full_a and_o comprehensive_a even_o so_o be_v it_o in_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v his_o church_n and_o how_o can_v it_o be_v otherwise_o when_o as_o the_o scripture_n say_v all_o the_o single_a heart_a and_o upright_o mind_a professor_n of_o christ_n be_v of_o one_o heart_n and_o soul_n as_o express_v a_o great_a unity_n and_o sympathy_n or_o fellow_n feel_v than_o that_o of_o the_o body_n as_o if_o to_o be_v of_o one_o soul_n be_v more_o than_o to_o be_v of_o one_o body_n for_o if_o the_o part_n of_o the_o body_n have_v a_o sense_n one_o of_o another_o much_o more_o the_o power_n and_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n have_v a_o discern_a and_o sympathy_n one_o with_o another_o 6._o and_o last_o to_o add_v no_o more_o here_o although_o many_o more_o reason_n may_v be_v bring_v against_o the_o use_n of_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n the_o whole_a superstructure_n depend_v upon_o a_o false_a and_o wrong_a bottom_n or_o foundation_n viz._n a_o opinion_n that_o immediate_a inspiration_n and_o revelation_n be_v cease_v or_o discontinue_v in_o the_o church_n and_o in_o and_o among_o true_a christian_n as_o well_o as_o false_a for_o i_o dare_v say_v if_o they_o who_o be_v so_o zealous_a for_o use_v set_a form_n of_o prayer_n do_v but_o believe_v that_o immediate_a inspiration_n and_o revelation_n do_v remain_v in_o the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n and_o in_o and_o among_o true_a christian_n this_o will_v present_o end_v the_o dispute_n and_o determine_v the_o controversy_n betwixt_o they_o and_o we_o for_o when_o immediate_a inspiration_n and_o revelation_n be_v in_o the_o church_n as_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o for_o some_o considerable_a time_n thereafter_o they_o ready_o grant_v that_o man_n then_o pray_v and_o sing_v psalm_n ex_fw-la tempore_fw-la without_o book_n by_o the_o spirit_n and_o therefore_o if_o they_o do_v now_o believe_v that_o such_o a_o dispensation_n be_v restore_v and_o restore_v again_o and_o be_v never_o altogether_o lose_v among_o true_a christian_n although_o much_o impair_v and_o diminish_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o general_a apostasy_n and_o prevail_a power_n of_o darkness_n that_o be_v over_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o call_a christian_n they_o will_v lay_v aside_o their_o set_a form_n and_o wait_v for_o this_o divine_a gift_n but_o it_o be_v too_o long_o and_o unseasonable_a a_o labour_n in_o this_o place_n to_o prove_v that_o immediate_a revelation_n and_o inspiration_n do_v remain_v in_o and_o among_o all_o true_a christian_n i_o shall_v therefore_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o what_o our_o friend_n have_v write_v on_o that_o subject_n and_o particular_o to_o two_o treatise_n of_o i_o and_o withal_o i_o beseech_v all_o sober_a and_o impartial_a people_n lay_v aside_o all_o prejudice_n to_o weigh_v and_o consider_v upon_o what_o slender_a and_o weak_a argument_n that_o opinion_n be_v build_v which_o say_v that_o immediate_a inspiration_n and_o revelation_n be_v cease_v in_o and_o among_o all_o true_a christian_n and_o above_o all_o i_o recommend_v they_o to_o the_o light_n of_o christ_n jesus_n and_o the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n of_o truth_n in_o every_o one_o of_o their_o heart_n and_o conscience_n that_o bear_v witness_n to_o every_o necessary_a truth_n as_o they_o harken_v to_o it_o and_o with_o their_o mind_n turn_v to_o the_o say_a light_n and_o spirit_n of_o truth_n to_o read_v and_o search_v the_o scripture_n diligent_o in_o that_o very_a respect_n as_o the_o noble_a berean_o do_v of_o old_a and_o the_o lord_n give_v they_o understanding_n in_o that_o and_o all_o other_o necessary_a thing_n i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o answer_v the_o most_o ordinary_a objection_n that_o seem_v to_o have_v most_o weight_n for_o use_v set_a form_n of_o prayer_n whether_o in_o the_o church_n or_o in_o private_a 1._o it_o be_v object_v that_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n and_o blessing_n the_o people_n be_v use_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n under_o the_o law_n as_o numb_a 10._o 35._o when_o the_o ark_n set_v forward_o moses_n common_o say_v arise_v o_o god_n let_v thy_o enemy_n be_v scatter_v let_v they_o also_o that_o hate_v thou_o flee_v before_o thou_o and_o when_o it_o rest_v he_o say_v return_v o_o lord_n to_o the_o many_o thousand_o of_o israel_n and_o numb_a 6._o 23._o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n be_v on_o this_o wise_a to_o bless_v the_o people_n say_v the_o lord_n bless_v thou_o and_o keep_v thou_o the_o lord_n make_v his_o face_n to_o shine_v favourable_o on_o thou_o and_o joel_n the_o prophet_n teach_v the_o people_n to_o pray_v say_v spare_v thy_o people_n o_o lord_n give_v not_o thy_o heritage_n to_o reproach_n that_o the_o heathen_a shall_v rule_v over_o they_o wherefore_o shall_v they_o say_v among_o the_o people_n where_o be_v their_o god_n joel_n 2._o 17._o and_o yet_o under_o the_o law_n people_n have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o be_v to_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o moses_n and_o aaron_n who_o be_v to_o use_v these_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o blessing_n be_v endue_v wiih_o a_o great_a measure_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o able_a enough_o to_o have_v conceive_v other_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o blessing_n ans._n from_o their_o use_v set_a form_n of_o prayer_n and_o blessing_n under_o the_o law_n to_o argue_v for_o the_o use_n of_o they_o under_o the_o gospel_n will_v not_o hold_v good_a for_o not_o only_a sacrifice_n and_o offering_n of_o beast_n but_o many_o other_o thing_n be_v both_o command_v and_o allow_v under_o the_o law_n which_o be_v not_o under_o the_o gospel_n and_o although_o moses_n and_o aaron_n and_o many_o other_o in_o those_o day_n have_v great_a plenty_n of_o the_o spirit_n yet_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o people_n who_o general_o be_v weak_a and_o rude_a they_o be_v to_o go_v along_o with_o they_o in_o those_o rudiment_n no_o doubt_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n see_v to_o the_o substance_n and_o end_n of_o those_o shadow_n and_o figure_n and_o know_v well_o enough_o that_o the_o blood_n of_o bull_n and_o goat_n can_v not_o wash_v or_o purify_v the_o conscience_n and_o yet_o because_o of_o the_o general_a dispensation_n of_o the_o law_n which_o be_v to_o continue_v until_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n wherein_o christ_n shall_v be_v reveal_v they_o be_v to_o remain_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o these_o thing_n which_o be_v afterward_o to_o be_v abolish_v and_o though_o under_o the_o law_n some_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o blessing_n the_o people_n be_v to_o be_v use_v yet_o they_o be_v but_o few_o and_o very_o short_a and_o such_o as_o do_v proceed_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o matter_n and_o word_n of_o such_o form_n seem_v to_o carry_v in_o they_o some_o extraordinary_a majesty_n or_o glory_n and_o to_o have_v some_o deep_a and_o profound_a signification_n and_o force_n with_o they_o more_o than_o ordinary_a as_o we_o know_v some_o scripture_n word_n and_o
child_n and_o have_v twin_n in_o her_o womb_n that_o be_v hard_o for_o to_o make_v she_o miscarry_v in_o the_o one_o but_o she_o will_v miscarry_v also_o in_o the_o other_o and_o he_o that_o seek_v to_o kill_v one_o of_o the_o twin_n in_o the_o mother_n belly_n shall_v be_v in_o hazard_n to_o kill_v the_o other_o also_o but_o why_o shall_v the_o one_o be_v kill_v or_o choke_v more_o than_o the_o other_o or_o why_o shall_v the_o divine_a beget_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n in_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o soul_n as_o also_o in_o its_o reason_n and_o imagination_n be_v strangle_v more_o than_o these_o in_o the_o will_n and_o affection_n see_v they_o have_v both_o one_o father_n which_o be_v god_n as_o they_o have_v one_o mother_n which_o be_v the_o soul._n and_o also_o see_v what_o be_v beget_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o will_n and_o desire_n or_o affection_n of_o the_o soul_n have_v a_o great_a dependency_n what_o be_v beget_v by_o the_o same_o spirit_n in_o the_o understanding_n and_o reason_n for_o the_o child_n and_o servant_n of_o god_n they_o love_v he_o as_o reasonable_a creature_n and_o on_o reasonable_a account_n and_o for_o reasonable_a cause_n yea_o they_o have_v the_o best_a and_o great_a reason_n for_o to_o love_v he_o and_o those_o reason_n be_v present_v to_o the_o soul_n by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n in_o the_o understanding_n and_o reasonable_a faculty_n and_o it_o be_v general_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o will_n and_o affection_n do_v common_o follow_v the_o dictate_v and_o suggestion_n of_o the_o understanding_n and_o according_a as_o the_o thought_n of_o the_o understanding_n whether_o good_a or_o bad_a do_v most_o prevail_v in_o the_o soul_n the_o will_n and_o affection_n with_o the_o desire_v thereof_o do_v embrace_v what_o be_v present_v whether_o it_o be_v a_o true_a and_o real_a good_a or_o only_o seem_v and_o apparent_a so_o that_o the_o will_n and_o affection_n of_o all_o man_n be_v sway_v by_o the_o strong_a dictate_v which_o raise_v and_o spring_v up_o from_o their_o understanding_n and_o intellectual_a faculty_n whether_o true_a or_o false_a and_o thus_o either_o wisdom_n or_o folly_n rule_v the_o will_n of_o all_o man_n with_o their_o desire_n and_o affection_n and_o consequent_o all_o their_o action_n all_o good_a man_n be_v lead_v by_o wise_a and_o good_a counsel_n which_o the_o holy_a spirit_n beget_v in_o they_o and_o all_o bad_a and_o evil_a man_n be_v lead_v by_o foolish_a and_o evil_a counsel_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o every_o good_a man_n be_v a_o wise_a man_n and_o every_o wise_a man_n who_o be_v true_o so_o be_v a_o good_a man_n and_o every_o bad_a or_o evil_a man_n be_v a_o fool_n and_o be_v call_v so_o in_o scripture_n and_o all_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n be_v folly_n and_o the_o real_a effect_n and_o fruit_n of_o it_o see_v therefore_o all_o good_a inclination_n motion_n and_o affection_n in_o the_o will_n of_o man_n rise_v from_o good_a and_o wise_a counsel_n in_o the_o understanding_n and_o reason_n of_o man_n we_o must_v needs_o say_v that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n do_v operate_v in_o both_o understanding_n and_o will_n and_o beget_v those_o good_a and_o wise_a meditation_n and_o conception_n of_o truth_n in_o order_n of_o nature_n before_o the_o good_a inclination_n and_o affection_n which_o afterward_o he_o beget_v and_o cause_v to_o arise_v in_o the_o will._n but_o these_o good_a and_o wise_a meditation_n and_o counsel_n can_v be_v without_o word_n at_o least_o inward_o speak_v or_o conceive_v in_o the_o reason_n or_o rational_a understanding_n of_o man._n and_o therefore_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v no_o less_o help_n and_o assist_v the_o understanding_n or_o reason_n of_o man_n to_o conceive_v good_a word_n than_o it_o do_v help_v the_o will_n to_o conceive_v good_a desire_n and_o affection_n it_o be_v therefore_o a_o great_a mistake_n and_o error_n of_o judgement_n in_o those_o who_o think_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v only_o excite_v or_o beget_v in_o his_o child_n good_a desire_n and_o affection_n but_o do_v not_o suggest_v unto_o they_o or_o help_v they_o to_o conceive_v good_a word_n of_o meditation_n and_o that_o as_o well_o to_o pray_v and_o give_v thanks_o as_o to_o preach_v and_o see_v preacher_n be_v not_o stint_v to_o set_v form_n of_o word_n in_o preach_v why_o shall_v they_o be_v any_o more_o stint_a to_o set_v form_n in_o pray_v i_o can_v understand_v for_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v as_o near_o and_o ready_a to_o assist_v in_o the_o one_o as_o in_o the_o other_o and_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o man_n preach_v not_o ex_fw-la tempore_fw-la but_o by_o study_n and_o long_a premeditation_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v in_o less_o danger_n to_o utter_v or_o express_v unsound_a and_o impertinent_a word_n in_o their_o deliberate_a and_o long_o premeditate_a sermon_n than_o in_o their_o extemporary_a prayer_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o it_o be_v find_v by_o frequent_a experience_n that_o even_o in_o those_o long_o study_v and_o premeditate_a sermon_n many_o man_n have_v utter_v very_o impertinent_a and_o unsound_a yea_o false_a and_o hurtful_a word_n and_o expression_n for_o it_o be_v not_o much_o or_o long_a time_n to_o study_v or_o premeditate_v a_o discourse_n that_o make_v it_o good_a or_o soundp_n see_v they_o who_o err_v in_o their_o understanding_n and_o have_v receive_v or_o drink_v in_o wrong_n and_o false_a doctrine_n and_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o wrong_v and_o false_a traditional_a gloss_n and_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n may_v preach_v very_o unsound_a and_o erroneous_a sermon_n although_o they_o have_v take_v a_o long_a time_n to_o study_v and_o prepare_v they_o 2._o according_a to_o the_o former_a reply_n if_o man_n shall_v study_v beforehand_o their_o prayer_n as_o well_o as_o their_o sermon_n than_o they_o be_v in_o no_o great_a danger_n to_o speak_v impertinent_a and_o unsound_a word_n in_o prayer_n than_o in_o preach_v but_o rather_o they_o be_v less_o obnoxious_a to_o such_o a_o danger_n because_o in_o prayer_n man_n common_o do_v not_o meddle_v with_o matter_n of_o controversy_n or_o disputable_a point_n of_o doctrine_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o proper_a 3._o he_o who_o preach_v or_o pray_v by_o the_o true_a and_o real_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n as_o he_o keep_v faithful_o and_o careful_o unto_o the_o same_o although_o what_o he_o do_v either_o preach_v or_o pray_v proceed_v from_o premeditation_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o mouth_n can_v utter_v any_o thing_n but_o the_o heart_n or_o mind_n of_o man_n must_v first_o conceive_v it_o which_o be_v a_o true_a and_o real_a kind_n of_o premeditation_n yet_o he_o need_v eth_z not_o any_o long_a time_n for_o the_o say_a premeditation_n for_o when_o his_o heart_n and_o soul_n be_v once_o well_o prepare_v and_o fit_v to_o be_v the_o instrument_n of_o the_o spirit_n whether_o in_o preach_v or_o pray_v ing_z etc._n etc._n the_o which_o preparation_n of_o the_o heart_n at_o time_n may_v require_v a_o considerable_a season_n long_o or_o short_a as_o the_o man_n be_v more_o or_o less_o grow_v up_o in_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n iâ—_n the_o least_o space_n of_o time_n imaginable_a as_o in_o moment_n or_o instant_n when_o it_o please_v the_o lord_n to_o assist_v the_o understanding_n by_o the_o divine_a influence_n of_o his_o spirit_n it_o can_v be_v and_o 〈◊〉_d be_v make_v fruitful_a to_o bring_v forth_o and_o conceive_v as_o many_o solid_a and_o live_a meditation_n 〈◊〉_d truth_n as_o may_v sufficient_o yield_v matter_n 〈◊〉_d discourse_n in_o true_a and_o sound_a and_o live_a word_n for_o divers_a hour_n but_o if_o the_o spirit_n shall_v not_o suggest_v so_o much_o matter_n of_o discourse_n in_o so_o short_a a_o space_n as_o a_o moment_n or_o instant_n but_o only_o as_o much_o as_o to_o furnish_v the_o speaker_n with_o two_o or_o three_o sentence_n or_o perhaps_o but_o one_o sentence_n at_o first_o before_o that_o one_o sentence_n be_v well_o speak_v further_a matter_n may_v and_o do_v oft_o arise_v from_o open_n of_o life_n in_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o speaker_n to_o speak_v more_o and_o so_o continual_o still_o new_a matter_n may_v be_v and_o oft_o be_v afford_v to_o continue_v his_o speech_n long_o or_o short_a as_o it_o please_v the_o lord_n to_o require_v or_o as_o in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n a_o service_n be_v see_v or_o feel_v and_o indeed_o various_a and_o manifold_a as_o well_o as_o wonderful_a be_v the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n towards_o his_o servant_n who_o mouth_n he_o do_v open_a either_o in_o preach_v or_o pray_v in_o the_o assembly_n of_o his_o people_n for_o sometime_o as_o one_o wait_v upon_o the_o lord_n in_o pure_a silence_n and_o in_o holy_a fear_n and_o reverence_n his_o heart_n at_o the_o present_a time_n be_v
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