The Generation of Seekers, Treatise 1 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
I Shall now proceed to the Reſolution of a third. Caſe relating to the Spirits Aſſiſtance in prayer, in anſwer to which (as to all the following) I ſhall ſpeak with more brevity than to the former; and with as much plainneſs, as the Lord ſhall enable me.
Caſe 3. Whether will the want of the Spirits Aſſiſtance, excuſe our Neglect or Nonperformance of the Duty? A Queſtion worthy our ſerious conſideration. For, though it be look't upon, as the opinion of a few brain-ſick perſons, that we muſt never pray, but when moved by the Spirit: yet methinks, they may ſeem (inſanire cum ratione) to have, at leaſt, ſome ſhow of Reaſon for this Aſſertion. For this is undeniable (and the Text in hand clears it) that, without the Spirits moving aſſiſting influence, we cannot pray as we ought: our prayers are not acceptable, but when they are the breathings of Gods own Spirit. For, as it is here, v. 27. God knows the (foreign) the mind, meaning, ſavourings, breathings of his Spirit: i. e. ſo knows, as to accept: and on the other hand, he knows the (foreign) the mind, the motions andEph. 2. 3. deſires of the fleſh, ſo as that they are abominable to him: Now, ſhall we ſay, that a man is bound to do that, which is diſpleaſing and odious to God? What delight can God take, in a prayer proceeding from a carnal heart? The Sacrifice of the wicked, is Prov. 15. 8.abomination to the Lord; but the prayer of the upright is his delight. So, that it may ſeem to have ſome colour of Reaſon, that where the Spirit is wanting, the obligation to the duty ceaſeth: though upon due conſideration it will appear but a colour.
Therefore, to make my way clear; I ſhall go by ſteps in reſolving this Caſe.
Prop. 1. A man may be ſaid, to want the Spirits aſſiſtance: either,
1. When he is utterly void of the Spirit of grace, while he is in a ſtate of Nature and unregeneracy: Such, are ſaid to be in, andRom. 8. 5, 8, 9. Jude 19. after the fleſh; to be carnally minded, not to have the Spirit of Chriſt, in whom the Spirit of God hath laid no foundation of a ſaving work.
2. Or, when he wants the actual quickning motions and aſſiſtances of the Spirit: though he hath a ſaving work begun, and his life be whole in him; yet he is in a ſpiritual Swoon, hath no warmth, no motions or ſtirrings heaven-ward, little differs from a meer carnal perſon. That it may be thus for a time, the ſad experience of ſome of Gods precious ſervants will teſtifie.
Prop. 2. The Aſſiſtance of the Spirit, is Gods gracious vouchſaftment, and meer indulgence. God is not a debtor to any: If he withhold it, none can charge him of injury or injuſtice: and, if he vouchſafe it, none can ſay, they have obliged God thereunto. The Spirit is a free Agent, and blows where it liſteth. It is Gods Spirit, andJohn 3. 8. not ours; and he may ſay to us, as in Matth. 20. 15: May I not do what I will, with mine own? The Influences of the Spirit, are like the Influences of Heaven: Who can blame God juſtly, if it do not rain or ſhine, when he would have it?
Prop. 3. Prayer is a duty indiſpenſably ariſing, from our Relation to God, as we are his creatures, endued with reaſonable ſouls, having our whole dependance upon him: So that our Obligation to the duty is laſting, and ceaſes not, while we are in the body, compaſſed about with infirmities, neceſſities, temptations; in reſpect whereof, we continually ſtand in need of Gods help: We are taught every day to ſay, Give us this day our Mat. 6. 11.daily bread—Whether therefore we have, or have not the Spirits aſſiſtance, the duty is duty ſtill; the neceſſity of it, and obligation to it, is permanent, not variable according to the vouchſafements or witholdings of the Spirit; and therefore it is ſinful, to neglect the duty, upon pretence, that we have not the Spirits enablements.
This I hope, might ſatisfie any unprejudiced Judgement; but, becauſe I would make things as Practical as I can, I ſhall add ſomething further, to evince the Abſurdity of their Opinion, that make our Obligation to the duty void, where the Spirit helps not. But of this briefly.
Arg. 1. This aſſertion as ſtrongly fights againſt all other duties, as this of Prayer: for, without the Spirits Aſſiſtance, we cannot perform any duty pleaſing to God. And indeed thus far, have ſome already improved it: Hence, they will neither read, nor hear, &c. but when the Spirit moves them. So, that this conceit (however it may carry ſome ſhew of Reaſon in it) ſeems to be a piece of the Devils Sophiſtry, deviſed to ſubvert the practice of Religion: an Invention much like the Phariſees Corban; wherebyMat. 15. 5. they diſobliged Children from their duty to Parents. Nay, what a door would it open to all wickedneſs, licentiouſneſs, atheiſtical and vile practices; and then all muſt be charged on God, becauſe he gave them not his Spirit to reſtrain, and ſanctifie them? Can any thing be more blaſphemous, or more tend to the ſubverſion of Religion?
Arg. 2. That which is a puniſhment of ſin, cannot be an excuſe for the neglect of duty: now the withdrawing or withholding the ſpirit's aſſiſtance is often a juſt puniſhment for ſin, for our grieving, ſlighting, quenching the Spirit, &c. When we improve not it's offered help, reject it's motions, or arrogate to our ſelves what we ſhould aſcribe to it's gracious enablements, or the like; how juſtly may God withhold it? This ſeems to be David's caſe, when he had fallen ſo grievouſly; it is probable, he found a want of the quickning comforting influences of Gods Spirit: and therefore prayes—Take not thy Holy Spirit from me: q. d. I feel decayes,Pſal. 51. 11, 12. and withdrawings, Oh, do not wholly deprive me of its Indwelling. Again, Reſtore unto me the joy of thy ſalvation, and uphold me with thy free Spirit: He felt weakneſſes and faintings, and therefore prayes to be upheld—But now, did David forbear to pray? Nay, doth he not pray more importunately? Were that opinion right, then a man might by ſome horrid provocation grieve away the Spirit of God, and then he ſhould be diſobliged from duty, than which, what can be more abſurd and impious?
Arg. 3. But to put all out of queſtion, The Precepts concerning this duty enjoyn conſtancy in it: and the patterns of the Saints agree to thoſe Precepts, 1 Theſſ. 5. 17. Pray without ceaſing, Eph. 6. 18. Praying alwayes with all prayer and ſupplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perſeverance. Let none cavillingly object, That we are bid here to pray alwayes, but yet in the Spirit: for (beſides that it is doubtful whether the Spirit of God be meant here) it follows not hence, that we muſt never pray but when moved by the Spirit. We ought indeed alwayes to beg the aſſiſtance of Gods Spirit, but if God in juſtice withhold his Spirit, muſt we therefore neglect our duty? But more of this, by and by. Daily prayer is enjoyned us in that pattern, which our bleſſed Saviour hath preſcribed us, and ſo much was typified by the Morning and Evening Sacrifice. As for the Practice of the Saints, Pſal. 55. 17. Evening and Morning, and at Noon will I pray, and cry aloud—Dan. 6. 10. Daniel kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Note, that it was his conſtant practiſe. It were caſie to add more here, but this may ſuffice to convince thoſe that are not wilfully blinded. I would only add that this Opinion would deſtroy all ſtated publique prayer, ſince we cannot tye up the Spirit to our times, yet there are frequent injunctions for it in the Word, Let that one Text ſuffice, 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2.
Object. Will any yet urge the Text in hand and tell me, that without the Spirits help we know not what to ask, and therefore our prayers will be but vain bablings, or taking Gods name in vain?
I anſwer. 1. True indeed, we cannot pray as we ought without the help of Gods Spirit, but I urge, Is the Obligation deſtroyed, when aſſiſtance is denyed? No, this ſhews us the ſad condition of every carnal and unregenerate perſon, and all ſuch as have not the Spirit, what a ſad Dilemma they are in; If they pray not, they ſin, by neglecting a manifeſt duty; if they pray, they ſin, by an ill management of it: This ſhould make us haſten out of that doleful ſtate, and I would add here, that there is (aliquid tertium) a third way: I ſay not, that we are abſolutely bound to pray without the Spirit, nor yet to neglect the duty becauſe we have not the Spirit, but we are ſpeedily to go to Chriſt, and accept him on Goſpel Terms that the Spirit may be poured out upon us from on high, that we may have the ſpirit of grace and ſupplication given us.
2. I may further anſwer, that though God ſometimes vouchſafe his Spirit to ſtir up his people to prayer, yet this is not to be preſumed▪ or conſtantly expected or depended on. Its help is not alwayes Antecedent to the duty, but comes in upon our endeavours. Our work is to do what we can, in hope that God will by his Spirit enable us to do what of our ſelvs we cannot. He that ſits down reſolving to do nothing till the Spirit put him on, doth Tempt the Lord, and unwarrantably expect what God hath no where abſolutely promiſed. I would therefore ſay to the Chriſtian that complains of deadneſs and indiſpoſition as David to Solomon, Ariſe 1 Chron. 22. 16.and be doing, and the Lord will be with thee. It may be obſerved, how low and diſconſolate David is in the beginning of ſome Pſalms, and yet how full of Faith and Confidence in the cloſe: May we not rationally think, that the Spirit of God raiſed him up, and came in upon him, while we was meditating or praying? I ſhall but lay this one thing before thoſe, that oppoſe this Truth. Do you forbear to plow, or ſow, till God bid you: till he come and tell you, He will bleſs your labours, and ſend rain and ſeaſonable weather? &c. Or, do you forbear Food or Phyſick, till God give you aſſurance, that he will bleſs the creatures, and make them nouriſhing and healthful? No, but you plow and ſow, eat and drink, &c. expecting Gods bleſſing, He that ploweth, ploweth in hope—1 Cor. 9. 10. And ſhould we not do the like in ſpirituals? not ſtay till we have a particular command, or impulſe of the Spirit, but take all opportunities to read, hear, pray, &c. in expectation both of Gods aſſiſtance in, and his bleſſing upon our endeavours.