And we may compare the different expressions used by the Apostle in this matter, whereby the general Nature of the Work of the Spirit herein, will further appear. In this place he saith, God hath sent forth into our Hearts [Greek or Hebrew], the Spirit of his Son, crying Abba Father, Rom. ⟨p. 43⟩8. 15. He saith we have received [Greek or Hebrew], The Spirit of Adoption, the Spirit of the Son given us because we are Sons, whereby, or in whom we cry Abba Father. His acting in us, and our acting by him is expressed by the same word. And the enquiry here is, how in the same Duty he is said to cry in us, and we are said to cry in him. And there can be no Reason hereof, but only because the same Work is both his and ours in divers Respects. As it is an Act of Grace and Spiritual Power, it is his, or it is wrought in us by him alone. As it is a Duty performed by us, by virtue of his Assistance, it is ours; by him we cry Abba Father. And to deny his actings in our Duties is to overthrow the Gospel. And it is Prayer formally considered, and as comprising the Gift of it, with its outward Exercise, which is intended. The mere excitation of the Graces of Faith, Love, Trust, Delight, Desire, Self-abasement, and the like animating Principles of Prayer, cannot be expressed by crying, though it be included in it. Their actual Exercise in Prayer formally considered, is that which is ascribed unto the Spirit of God. And they seem to deal somewhat severely with the Church ⟨p. 44⟩of God and all Believers, who will not allow that the Work here expressly assigned unto the Spirit of Adoption or of the Son, is sufficient for its end, or the discharge of this Duty, either in private or in the Assemblies of the Church. There is no more required unto Prayer either way, but our crying Abba Father, that is, the making our Requests known unto him as our Father in Christ, with Supplications and Thanksgivings, according as our State and occasions do require. And is not the Aid of the Spirit of God sufficient to enable us hereunto? It was so of Old, and that unto all Believers according as they were called unto this Duty, with respect unto their Persons, Families, or the Church of God.
And we may compare the different expressions used by the Apostle in this matter, whereby the general Nature of the Work of the Spirit herein, will further appear. In this place he saith, God hath sent forth into our Hearts 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, the Spirit of his Son, crying Abba Father, Rom. ⟨p. 43⟩8. 15. He saith we have received 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, The Spirit of Adoption, the Spirit of the Son given us because we are Sons, whereby, or in whom we cry Abba Father. His acting in us, and our acting by him is expressed by the same word. And the enquiry here is, how in the same Duty he is said to cry in us, and we are said to cry in him. And there can be no Reason hereof, but only because the same Work is both his and ours in divers Respects. As it is an Act of Grace and Spiritual Power, it is his, or it is wrought in us by him alone. As it is a Duty performed by us, by virtue of his Assistance, it is ours; by him we cry Abba Father. And to deny his actings in our Duties is to overthrow the Gospel. And it is Prayer formally considered, and as comprizing the Gift of it, with its outward Exercise, which is intended. The mere excitation of the Graces of Faith, Love, Trust, Delight, Desire, Self-abasement, and the like animating Principles of Prayer, cannot be expressed by crying, though it be included in it. Their actual Exercise in Prayer formally considered, is that which is ascribed unto the Spirit of God. And they seem to deal somewhat severely with the Church ⟨p. 44⟩of God and all Believers, who will not allow that the Work here expresly assigned unto the Spirit of Adoption or of the Son, is sufficient for its end, or the discharge of this Duty, either in private or in the Assemblies of the Church. There is no more required unto Prayer either way, but our crying Abba Father, that is, the making our Requests known unto him as our Father in Christ, with Supplications and Thanksgivings, according as our State and occasions do require. And is not the Aid of the Spirit of God sufficient to enable us hereunto? It was so of Old, and that unto all Believers according as they were called unto this Duty, with respect unto their Persons, Families, or the Church of God.
