11O A OUIDE TO Plavea. to have our fears, and doubts, and complaints, and temptations, and sorrows represented in most exact and particular expres- sions, in such language as the soul itself feels when the.words are spoken. Now, though we should often meet with prayers precomposed, that are fitted to express our present case, yet the gift of prayer is as much better than any form, as a general skill in the work of preaching is to be preferred to any precom- posed sermons ; as a perfect knowledge in the art of physic, is better than any number of receipts ; or as a receipt to make a medecine, is preferable to one single medicine already macle. But he that binds himself always to read printed sermons, will not arrive at the art of preaching: and that man that deals only in receipts, shall never become a skilful physician ; nor can the gift of prayer be attained by everlasting confinement to forms. Perhaps it may make stronger impressions on some persons, and go farther towards the cure of their confinement to forms, and their prejudices against the gift of prayer, to hear what a bishop of the church of England has said on this matter, " In the use of such prescript forms, to which a man bath been accus- tomed, he ought to be narrowlywatchful over his own heart, for fear of that lip-service and formality, which in such cases we are more especially exposed unto.For any one so to set down and satisfy himself with his book- prayer, or some prescript form, and to go no further, this were still to remain in his infancy, and not to grow up in his new nature : this would be, as if a man, who had once need of crutches should always afterwards make use of them, and so necessiate, himself to a continual impo- tency.Prayer by book, is commonly of itself something fiat and dead, floating for the most part too much in generalities, and not particular enough for each several occasion. There is not that life and vigour' in it, to engage the affections, as when it proceeds immediately from the soul itself, and is the natural expression of those particulars whereof we are most sen- sible.It is not easy to express, what a vast difference a man may find, in respect of inward comfort and satisfaction, betwixt those private prayers that are thus conceived from the affections, and those prescribed forms which we say by rote, or read out of books." Bishop Wilkins, in his Gift of Prayer. II. Another extreme to be avoided by all that would obtain the gift of prayer is, a\neglect of preparation for prayer, and an entire dependence on sudden motions and suggestions ; as though we were to expect the perpetual impression of the Holy Spirit upon our minds, as the apostles and inspired saints : as though we had reason to hope for his continual impulses, both in the matter, and manner, and words of prayer, without any fore-thought, or care, or premeditation of our own. It is true indeed, that when a man bath premeditated the matter of his
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