A53685:231
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.
Let men pretend what they please, if a spiritual Ability in praying and preaching belong not necessarily unto the office of the Ministry, no man can tell what doth so, or what the office signifies in the Church. For no other Ordinance can be administered without the Word and Prayer, nor any part of Rule it self in a due manner. And to deny these to be Gifts of the Holy Ghost, is to deny the Continuance of his dispensation unto and in the Church, which at once overthrows the whole Truth of the Gospel, and the sole Foundation that the Ministry of it is built upon.
Let men pretend what they please, if a spiritual Ability in praying and preaching belong not necessarily unto the office of the Ministry, no man can tell what doth so, or what the office signifies in the Church. For no other Ordinance can be administred without the Word and Prayer, nor any part of Rule it self in a due manner. And to deny these to be Gifts of the Holy Ghost, is to deny the Continuance of his dispensation unto and in the Church, which at once overthrows the whole Truth of the Gospel, and the sole Foundation that the Ministry of it is built upon.
(2.) The like may be spoken with respect unto Duties to be performed by virtue of our general vocation. Such are the Duties of Parents and Masters of Families. I know not how far any are gone in ways of profaneness, but hope none are carried unto such a length, as to deny it to be the Duty of such Persons to pray with their Families as well as for them. The Families that call not on the name of the Lord are under his Curse. And if this be their ⟨p. 151⟩Duty, the performance of it must be by the Aid of the Spirit of God, by virtue of the general rule we proceed upon.
(2.) The like may be spoken with respect unto Duties to be performed by vertue of our general vocation. Such are the Duties of Parents and Masters of Families. I know not how far any are gone in ways of prophaneness, but hope none are carried unto such a length, as to deny it to be the Duty of such Persons to pray with their Families as well as for them. The Families that call not on the name of the Lord are under his Curse. And if this be their