A discourse of the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer with a brief…

THE Duty I am endeavouring to express, is that enjoined in Eph. 6. 18. Praying always, with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all Perseverance and Supplication for all Saints. Some have made bold to advance a fond Imagination (as what will not Enmity unto the Holy ways of God ⟨p. 112⟩put men upon?) that praying in the Spirit intends only praying by virtue of an extraordinary and miraculous Gift. But the use of it is here enjoined unto all Believers, none excepted, men and Women, who yet I suppose had not all and every one of them that extraordinary miraculous Gift which they fancy to be intended in that Expression. And the Performance of this Duty is enjoined them in the manner prescribed [Greek or Hebrew], always, say we, in every season, that is such just and due seasons of Prayer, as Duty and our Occasions call for: But the Apostle expressly confines the exercise of extraordinary Gifts unto some certain seasons, when under some Circumstances they may be needful or useful unto Edification, 1 Cor. 14. There is therefore a praying in the Spirit, which is the constant Duty of all Believers, and it is a great reproach unto the Profession of Christianity, where that name it self is a matter of Contempt. If there be any thing in it that is Foolish, Conceited, Fanatical, the Holy Apostle must answer for it; Yea, he by whom he was inspired. But if this be the Expression of God himself of that Duty which he requireth of us, I would not willingly be among the number of them by ⟨p. 113⟩whom it is derided, let their pretences be what they please. Besides, in the Text, all Believers are said thus to pray in the Spirit at all seasons, [Greek or Hebrew]; and [Greek or Hebrew], with all Prayer and Supplication; that is, with all manner of Prayer according as our own Occasions and Necessities do require. A man certainly by virtue of this Rule can scarce judge himself obliged to confine his performance of this Duty unto a prescript form of Words. For a Variety in our Prayers commensurate unto the various occasions of our selves, and of the Church of God, being here enjoined us, how we can comply therewith in the constant use of any one Form, I know not; those who do, are left unto their Liberty. And this we are obliged unto, [Greek or Hebrew], diligently watching unto this very end, that our Prayers may be suited unto our Occasions.