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

Secondly, As to the second Inference, namely, that if this Ability be inseparable from the gracious assistance of the Spirit of Prayer, then whosoever hath this Gift and Ability, he hath in the exercise of it that Gracious Assistance, or he hath received the Spirit of Grace, and hath saving Graces, acted in him: I answer, (1.) It doth not follow on what we have asserted. For although wherever is the Grace of Prayer, there is the Gift also in its measure; yet it follows not, that where the Gift is, there must be the Grace also. For the Gift is for the Graces sake, and not on the contrary. Grace cannot be acted without the Gift, but the Gift may without Grace.

Secondly, As to the second Inference, namely, that if this Ability be inseparable from the gracious assistance of the Spirit of Prayer, then whosoever hath this Gift and Ability, he hath in the exercise of it that Gracious Assistance, or he hath received the Spirit of Grace, and hath saving Graces, acted in him: I answer, (1.) It doth not follow on what we have asserted. For although whereever is the Grace of Prayer, there is the Gift also in its measure; yet it follows not, that where the Gift is, there must be the Grace also. For the Gift is for the Graces sake, and not on the contrary. Grace cannot be acted without the Gift, but the Gift may without Grace.

(2.) We shall assent that this Gift doth grow in another soil, and hath not its root in it self. It followeth on, and ariseth from, one distinct part of the Work of the Holy Spirit, as a Spirit of Supplication, from which it is inseparable. And this is his Work on the mind, in acquainting it ⟨p. 143⟩with the things that are to be prayed for, which he doth both in the inward Convictions of mens own Souls, and in the Declaration made thereof in the Scripture. Now this may in some be only a common work of Illumination which the Gift of Vocal Prayer may flow from and accompany, when the Spirit of Grace and Supplication works no farther in them. Wherefore it is acknowledged that men in whom the Spirit of Grace did never reside nor savingly operate, may have the Gift of utterance in Prayer unto their own and others Edification. For they have the Gift of Illumination, which is its foundation, and from which it is inseparable. Where this spiritual Illumination is not granted in some measure, no Abilities, no Industry can attain the Gift of Utterance in Prayer unto Edification. For Spiritual Light is the matter of all spiritual Gifts, which in all their variety, are but the various exercise of it. And to suppose a man to have a Gift of Prayer without it, is to suppose him to have a Gift to pray for he knows not what; which real or pretended Enthusiasms we abhor. Wherefore, wherever is this Gift of Illumination and Conviction, there is such a foundation of the