acquainted with the inward nature of it. Truly,
the most ordinary things in religion are the greatest mysteries, as to the
true life of them. We are strangers to the soul and life of these things,
which consist in the holy behaviour and deportment of our spirits before
the Father of spirits.

These words give some ground to speak of some special qualifications of
prayer, and the chief principle of it. The chief principle and original of
prayer, is, the Spirit of adoption received into the heart. It is a
business of a higher nature than can be taught by precepts, or learned by
custom and education. There is a general mistake among men, that the gift
of prayer is attained by learning, and that it consists in the freedom and
plenty of expression. But O! how many doctors and disputers of the world
are there, that can defend all the articles of faith against the opposers
of them; yet so unacquainted are they with this exercise, that the poor,
and unlearned, and nothings in the world, who cannot dispute for religion,
send up a more savoury and acceptable sacrifice, and sweet incense to God
daily, when they offer up their soul's desires in simplicity and
sincerity. Certainly this is a spiritual thing, derived only from the
Fountain of spirits,--this grace of pouring out our souls into him, and
keeping communication with him. The variety of words and riches of
expression is but the shell of it, the external shadow; and all the life
consists in the frame of the heart before God. And this none can put in
frame but he that formed the spirit of man within him. Some through custom
of hearing and using it, attain to a habit of expressing themselves
readily in it, it may be, to the satisfaction of others; but, alas! they
may be strangers to the first letters and elements of the life and spirit
of prayer. I would have you who want both, look up to heaven for it. Many
of you cannot be induced to pray in your family, (and I fear little or
none in secret, which is indeed a more serious work,) because you have not
been used, or not learned, or such like. Alas! beloved, this cometh not
through education, or learning. It cometh from the Spirit of adoption; and
if ye say, ye cannot pray, ye have not the Spirit; and if ye have not the
Spirit, ye are not the sons of God. Know what is in the inevitable sequel
of your own confessions.

But I haste to the qualifications of this divine work,--fervency,
reverence, and confidence; _fervency_ in cryi