Answ.I answer; That in the citing of this Place, as I have often observed, they omit the first and chief Part of the Verse, which is thus, Acts viii. Ver. 22. The Sorcerer may pray, but not without Repentance.Repent therefore of this thy Wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the Thought of thine Heart may be forgiven thee: So here he bids him first Repent. Now the least Measure of true Repentance cannot be without somewhat of that inward Retirement of the Mind which we speak of: And indeed where true Repentance goeth first, we do not doubt but the Spirit of God will be near to concur with, and influence such to pray to and call upon God.
Obj. 6.And Lastly, They object, That many Prayers begun without the Spirit have proved effectual; and that the Prayers of wicked Men have been heard, and found acceptable, as Ahab’s.
Answ.This Objection was before solved. For the Acts of God’s Compassion and Indulgence at some Times, and to some Persons, upon singular extraordinary Occasions, are not to be a Rule of our Actions. For if we should make that the Measure of our Obedience, great Inconveniences would follow; as is evident, and will be acknowledged by all. Next, We do not deny, but wicked Men are sensible of the Motions and Operations of God’s Spirit oftentimes, before their Day be expired; from which they may at Times pray acceptably; not as remaining altogether wicked, but as entering into Piety, from whence they afterwards fall away.
§. XXVI.
That Singing then that pleaseth him must proceed from that which is PURE in the Heart (even from the Word of Life therein) in and by which, richly dwelling in us, spiritual Songs and Hymns are returned to the Lord, according to that of the Apostle, Col. iii. 16.
Artificial Musick.But as to their artificial Musick, either by Organs, or other Instruments, or Voice, we have neither Example nor Precept for it in the New Testament.
§. XXVII.
§. XXVIII.
Our Adversaries Worship.But the Worship, Preaching, Praying and Singing, which our Adversaries plead for, and which we oppose, Is a Worship which is both begun, carried on, and concluded in Man’s own natural Will and Strength, without the Motion or Influence of God’s Spirit, which they judge they need not wait for; and therefore may be truly performed, both as to the Matter and Manner, by the wickedest of Men, Such was the Worship and vain Oblations which God always rejected, as appears from Isa. lxvi. 3. Jer. xiv. 12. &c. Isa. i. 13. Prov. xv. 29. John ix. 31.