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

Nor do I deny but that this Gift may be varied in degrees and divers Circumstances according unto these Abilities, though it have a Being of its own, distinct from them. Even in Extraordinary Gifts, as in the receiving and giving out of immediate Revelations from God, there was a variety in outward Modes and Circumstances which followed the diversity and variety of the Natural Abilities and Qualifications of them who were employed in that Work. Much more may this Difference both be, and appear, in the Exercise of ordinary Gifts, which do not so absolutely influence and regulate the faculties of the mind, as the other.

Nor do I deny but that this Gift may be varied in degrees and divers Circumstances according unto these Abilities, though it have a Being of its own, distinct from them. Even in Extraordinary Gifts, as in the receiving and giving out of immediate Revelations from God, there was a variety in outward Modes and Circumstances which followed the diversity and variety of the Natural Abilities and Qualifications of them who were imployed in that Work. Much more may this Difference both be, and appear, in the Exercise of ordinary Gifts, which do not so absolutely influence and regulate the faculties of the mind, as the other.

And this difference we find by Experience among them who are endowed with this spiritual Ability. All men who have the Gift of Prayer, do not pray alike, as to the matter of their Prayers or the manner of their praying; but some do greatly excel others, some in one thing, some in another. And this doth in part, proceed from that Difference that is between them in the ⟨p. 134⟩natural Abilities of Invention, Judgment, Memory, Elocution, especially as they are improved by Exercise in this Duty. But yet neither is this absolutely so, nor doth the difference in this matter, which we observe in constant Experience, depend solely hereon. For if it did, then those, who having received this spiritual Ability, do excel others in those natural Endowments, would also constantly excel them in the Exercise of the Gift it self; which is not so, as is known to all who have observed any thing in this matter. But the Exercise of these Abilities in Prayer depends on the especial Assistance of the Spirit of God. And for the most part the Gift, as the Scion ingrafted or inoculated, turns the nature of those Abilities into it self, and modifieth them according unto its own efficacy and virtue, and is not it self changed by them. Evidently that which makes any such difference in the discharge of this Duty, as wherein the Edification of others is concerned, is the frequent conscientious Exercise of the Gift received, without which, into whatever stock of Natural Abilities it may be planted, it will neither thrive nor flourish.