prayer? as Act. 10. 44. and Luke 11. 13. bear testimony. As soon as Paul is converted, is he not at Prayer, and had he not the fillings of the Spirit given him in that way, as by Ananias putting his hands upon him? Act. 9. 11. 17. And the wisdom, saith R. F. which is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easie to be entreated; and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, of them that make peace, James 3. 17, 18. for which we praise God.
Rep. 1. But doth he give this wisdom by asking? as saith James. 1. 6. If any lack wisdom, let him ask it of God; is not prayer a means of wisdom?
2. I wish we could finde the wisdom James describeth in R. F. As yet I discern not any seeds of it sown in his books, one or other.
3. Let him beware of taking Gods name in vain, by praising him legibly, in print, for that which he hath not printed in his heart, nor holdeth forth visibly in practise. Why, but he addeth, we own reading, hearing, prayer, and the teachings of God according to his promises.
Rep. I wish he doth well understand the promises of God. Gods promises are made of a blessing upon such means, as reading, hearing and prayer, as well as of gracious abilities to read, hear and pray with, Isaiah 55. 3. He that heareth, and inclines his ear, shall live, 1 Tim. 4. 13. 16. If Timothy attend to reading, meditation, preaching to others watching himself, In doing this he shall save himself, and those that hear him. To prayer is promised salvation, Rom. 10. 13. Christs presence, Matth. 18. 20. Returns and answers, Matth. 7. 7. To preaching Christs presence, as∣sistance, and blessing, Matth. 28. 20. To the Saints condi∣tions (which C. Atkinson rejected with the ordinances) all blessed success, Rom. 8. 28. They shall look unto him, and run to him, and their faces shall not be ashamed. Psal. 34. 5. why so? Ver 6. This poor man cryed and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles; and therefore we may from others experiences, together with our own, have hope, Rom 5. 4. And Hope, in and by a promise, an expe∣rimental promise and a promised experience, maketh not ashamed. If therefore R. F. doth own these means, and