(3.) It is assuredly our Duty to make use of the Gift of the Spirit as that which is purchased for us by Christ, *and is of inestimable advantage unto our Souls. There are two ways whereby men may be guilty of the neglect of this heavenly favour; (1.) They are so when the Gift it self is not valued nor sought after nor endeavoured to be attained. And this is done under various pretences: some imagine that it is no Gift of the Spirit, and so despise it; others think that either by them it is not attainable, or that if it be attained, it will not answer their labour in it, and diligence about it, which it doth require; and therefore take up with another way and means, which they know to be more easy, and hope to be as useful. By many the whole Duty is despised, and consequently all Assistance in the performance of it is so also. None of those do I speak unto at present. But (2.) We ⟨p. 162⟩are guilty of this neglect when we do not constantly and diligently on all Occasions make use of it for the End for which it is given us; yea abound in the exercise of it. Have you an Ability to pray always freely given you by the Holy Ghost, why do you not pray always, in private, in Families, according to all occasions and opportunities administered? Of what concernment unto the Glory of God, and in our Life unto him, Prayer is, will be owned by all. It is that only single Duty wherein every Grace is acted, every Sin opposed, every good thing obtained, and the whole of our Obedience in every instance of it, is concerned. What difficulties lye in the way of its due performance, what discouragements rise up against it, how unable we are of our selves in a due manner to discharge it, what Aversation there is in corrupted nature unto it, what Distractions and Weariness are apt to befall us under it, are generally known also unto them who are any way exercised in these things. Yet doth the Blessedness of our present and future Condition much depend thereon. To relieve us against all these things, to help our Infirmities, to give us Freedom, Liberty and Confidence in our Approaches to the ⟨p. 163⟩Throne of Grace, to enable us as Children to cry Abba Father, with Delight and Complacency, is this Gift of the Spirit of Grace and Supplication given unto us by Jesus Christ. Who can express how great a folly and Sin it is, not to be found in the constant exercise of it?
(3.) It is assuredly our Duty to make use of the Gift of the Spirit as that which is purchased for us by Christ, *and is of inestimable advantage unto our Souls. There are two ways whereby men may be guilty of the neglect of this heavenly favour; (1.) They are so when the Gift it self is not valued nor sought after nor endeavoured to be attained. And this is done under various pretences: some imagine that it is no Gift of the Spirit, and so despise it; others think that either by them it is not attainable, or that if it be attained, it will not answer their labour in it, and diligence about it, which it doth require; and therefore take up with another way and means, which they know to be more easy, and hope to be as useful. By many the whole Duty is despised, and consequently all Assistance in the performance of it is so also. None of those do I speak unto at present. But (2.) We ⟨p. 162⟩are guilty of this neglect when we do not constantly and diligently on all Occasions make use of it for the End for which it is given us; yea abound in the exercise of it. Have you an Ability to pray always freely given you by the Holy Ghost, why do you not pray always, in private, in Families, according to all occasions and opportunities administred? Of what concernment unto the Glory of God, and in our Life unto him, Prayer is, will be owned by all. It is that only single Duty wherein every Grace is acted, every Sin opposed, every good thing obtained, and the whole of our Obedience in every instance of it, is concerned. What difficulties lye in the way of its due performance, what discouragements rise up against it, how unable we are of our selves in a due manner to discharge it, what Aversation there is in corrupted nature unto it, what Distractions and Weariness are apt to befall us under it, are generally known also unto them who are any way exercised in these things. Yet doth the Blessedness of our present and future Condition much depend thereon. To relieve us against all these things, to help our Infirmities, to give us Freedom, Liberty and Confidence in our Approaches to the ⟨p. 163⟩Throne of Grace, to enable us as Children to cry Abba Father, with Delight and Complacency, is this Gift of the Spirit of Grace and Supplication given unto us by Jesus Christ. Who can express how great a folly and Sin it is, not to be found in the constant exercise of it?
- *[Greek or Hebrew]; Chrys. Hom. 67. de Prec. 1.〈non-Latin alphabet〉; Chrys. Hom. 67. de Prec. 1.
