A53685:225
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.
(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 ⟨p. 144⟩Gift of Prayer, as that it is not ordinarily absent in some measure, where due use and exercise are observed.
(2.) We shall assent that this Gift doth grow in another soyl, 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, whereever is this Gift of Illumination and Conviction, there is such a foundation of the