A53685:194
A discourse of the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer with a brief…
A discourse of the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer with a brief enquiry into the nature and use of mental prayer and forms / by John Owen ...
London: printed for Nathanael Ponder, 1682
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But yet neither do I conclude from hence that all such forms are unlawful; only that another way of Praying is here enjoined us, is I suppose unquestionable unto all ⟨p. 114⟩impartial searchers after Truth. And doubtless they are not to be blamed who endeavour a Compliance therewith. And if Persons are able in the daily constant reading of any Book whatever, merely of an humane Composition, to rise up in answer to this Duty of Praying always, with all manner of Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, or the Exercise of the aid and assistance received from him, and his holy acting of them as a Spirit of Grace and Supplication, endeavouring, labouring, and watching thereunto; I shall say no more but that they have attained, what I cannot understand.
But yet neither do I conclude from hence that all such forms are unlawful; only that another way of Praying is here enjoyned us, is I suppose unquestionable unto all ⟨p. 114⟩impartial searchers after Truth. And doubtless they are not to be blamed who endeavour a Compliance therewith. And if Persons are able in the daily constant reading of any Book whatever, meerly of an humane Composition, to rise up in answer to this Duty of Praying always, with all manner of Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, or the Exercise of the aid and assistance received from him, and his holy acting of them as a Spirit of Grace and Supplication, endeavouring, labouring, and watching thereunto; I shall say no more but that they have attained, what I cannot understand.
The sole Enquiry remaining is, how they are enabled to pray, in whose minds the Holy Ghost doth thus work as a Spirit of Grace and Supplication. And I do say in answer thereunto, that those who are thus affected by him, do never want a gracious Ability of making their Addresses unto God in Vocal Prayer, so far as is needful unto them in their circumstances, Callings, States and Conditions. And this is that which is called the Gift of Prayer. I speak of ordinary Cases; for there may be such interpositions of Temptations and Desertions, as that the Soul being overwhelmed with them, may for the present be able only to