17S A GUPDE TO PRAYER. If a christian bath been. taught by this Spirit making inter- cession in him to plead with. God for some particular mercy in such an unwonted strain, of humble andheavenly argument, that he has found in himself secret and inward assurances, that the mercysbinild be bestowed, by somethingof a prophetical impulse, and has never been mistaken ; if grace has been in vigorous exercise in the prayer, and afterwards the success has always answered his expectation ; I should not forbear to believe the extraordinary presence of the Spirit of prayer with him at that season. Dr.. Winter in Ireland, and several ministers and pri- vate christians of the last age in Scotland, are notable and glo- rious instances of this gracious appearance of the holy Spirit. If a 'serious and humble worshipper, that hath been long seeking after the knowledge of some divine truth, should find himself enlightened upon his knees, with a beam of heavenly light shining upon that truth with. most peculiar evidence, and teachinghimmore in one prayer than he had learned by months of labor and study ;. I should venture to acknowledge the imme- diate aids and answers of-the Spirit of prayer and illumination. Luther is said to llave enjoyed suck divine favours, at the refor mation of the 'church from popish darkness. . If a holy soul bath been conflicting with doubts and fears,. and waiting upon (mud in all his appointed ways of grace, seek- ing consolation and assurance of the love of God : if while lie bath been at the throne of grace, he has beheld God as his God, smiling and reconciled, and as it were seen the work of God on his own' heart, in a bright andconvincing light ; and perhaps by some comfortable word' 'of scripture imprest on his thoughts, hath been assured of his love to God, antfi the love of God to him ; if from that immediate sensation of divine love he has been filled with joy tunspeakaûûle and fidi of glou, as well as warmed with heavenly zeal for the honour of God, his God and Father ; I must believesuch a one to be sealed as a child of God, by the sweet influence of the Spirit of adoption, teaching him to pray, and cry, flbba; Father. But concerning such workings of the Spirit of God as these are, because there have been many vain and foolish pretences to, them, I would make three remarks : L These are rare instances, and bestowedby the Spirit of God in so sovereign and arbitrary a manner, according to the secret counsels of his own wisdom, that no particular christian Math any sure ground to expect them. Though I am persuaded there are many more instances of them in secret, among' pious and humble souls, than ever carne to public notice. -2. They are best judged of, and distinguished front the mere effects of a warm fancy, and from the spirit of delusion, not so much by the brightness and vehemence of tite present impression, as by their
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