An Apology for the True Christian Divinity / Being an explanation and vindication of the principles and doctrines of the people called Quakers

by Robert Barclay

§. XXII.

[110] Ephes. 6. 18.

II. We know not how to pray but as the Spirit helps.Secondly, This Necessity of the Spirit’s Moving and Concurrence appears abundantly from that of the Apostle Paul, Rom. viii. 26, 27. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities: For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh Intercession for us with Groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the Hearts knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit, because he maketh Intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God. Which first holds forth the Incapacity of Men as of themselves to pray or call upon God in their own Wills, even such as have received the Faith of Christ, and are in Measure sanctified by it, as was the Church of Rome, to whom the Apostle then wrote. Secondly, It holds forth that which can only help and assist Men to pray, to wit, the Spirit, as that without which they cannot do it acceptably to God, nor beneficially to their own Souls. Thirdly, The Manner and Way of the Spirit’s Intercession, with Sighs and Groans which are unutterable. And Fourthly, That God receiveth graciously the Prayers of such as are presented and offered unto himself by the Spirit, knowing it to be according to his Will. Now it cannot be conceived but this Order of Prayer thus asserted by the Apostle is most consistent with those other Testimonies of Scripture, commending and recommending to us the Use of Prayer. From which I thus argue,

Arg.If any Man know not how to pray, neither can do it without the Help of the Spirit, then it is to no Purpose for him, but altogether unprofitable, to pray without it:

But the First is true: Therefore also the Last.

III. Pray always in the Spirit, and Watching thereunto. Thirdly, This Necessity of the Spirit to true Prayer appears from Ephes. vi. 18. and Jude 20. where the Apostle commands to pray always in the Spirit, and Watching thereunto; which is as much as if he had said, that we were never to pray without the Spirit, or Watching thereunto. And Jude sheweth that such Prayers as are in the Holy Ghost only, tend to the Building up of ourselves in our most holy Faith.

IV. Man cannot call Christ Lord but by the Holy Ghost. Fourthly, The Apostle Paul saith expresly, 1 Cor. xii. 3. That no Man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost: If then Jesus cannot be thus rightly named but by the Holy Ghost, far less can he be acceptably called upon. Hence the same Apostle declares, 1 Cor. xiv. 15. that he will pray with the Spirit, &c. A clear Evidence that it was none of his Method to pray without it.

V. God will not hear the Prayers of the Wicked. But Fifthly, All Prayer without the Spirit is Abomination, such as are the Prayers of the Wicked, Prov. xxviii. 9. And the Confidence that the Saints have that God will hear them is, if they ask any Thing according to his Will, 1 John v. 14. So if the Prayer be not according to his Will, there is no Ground of Confidence that he will hear. Now our Adversaries will acknowledge that Prayers without the Spirit are not according to the Will of God, and therefore such as pray without it have no Ground to expect an Answer: For indeed to bid a Man pray without the Spirit is all one as to bid one see without Eyes, work without Hands, or go without Feet. And to desire a Man to fall to Prayer ere the Spirit in some Measure less or more move him thereunto, is to desire a Man to see before he opens his Eyes, or to walk before he rise up, or to work with his Hands before he moves them.