§. XXIII.
VI. All Sacrifice is Sin, not offered by the Spirit. But Lastly, From this false Opinion of Praying without the Spirit, and not judging it necessary to be waited for, as that which may be felt to move us thereunto, hath proceeded all the Superstition and Idolatry that is among those called Christians, and those many Abominations wherewith the Lord is provoked, and his Spirit grieved; so that many deceive themselves now, as the Jews did of old, thinking it sufficient if they pay their daily Sacrifices, and offer their customary Oblations; from thence thinking all is well, and creating a false Peace to themselves, as the Whore in the Proverbs, because they have offered up their Sacrifices of Morning and Evening Prayers. And therefore it is manifest that their constant Use of these Things doth not a Whit influence their Lives and Conversations, but they remain for the most Part as bad as ever. Yea, it is frequent both among Papists and Protestants, for them to leap as it were out of their vain, light, and profane Conversations at their set Hours and Seasons, and fall to their customary Devotion; and then, when it is scarce finished, and the Words to God scarce out, the former profane Talk comes after it; so that the same wicked profane Spirit of this World actuates them in both. If there be any such Thing as vain Oblations, or Prayers that are Abomination, which God heareth not (as is certain there are, and the Scripture testifies, Isa. lxvi. 3. Jer. xiv. 12.) certainly such Prayers as are acted in Man’s Will, and by his own Strength, without God’s Spirit, must be of that Number.