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

(4.) Meditation on the Mediation and Intercession of Christ, for our Encouragement, is of the same importance and tendency. To this End spiritually is he proposed unto us, as abiding in the discharge of his Priestly Office, Heb. 4. 15, 16. Chap. 10. 19, 20, 21, 22. And this is not only an Encouragement unto, and in our Supplications, but a means to increase and strengthen the Grace and Gift of Prayer it self. For the Mind is thereby made ready to exercise it self about the effectual Interposition of the Lord Christ at the Throne of Grace in our behalf, which hath a principal place and consideration in the Prayers of all Believers. And hereby principally may we try our Faith of what Race and kind it is, whether truly Evangelical or no. Some relate or talk that the Eagle tries the Eyes of her young ones, by turning them to the Sun, which if they cannot look steadily on, she rejects them as spurious. We may truly try our Faith by immediate Intuitions of the Sun of Righteousness. Direct Faith ⟨p. 174⟩to act it self immediately and directly on the Incarnation of Christ and his Mediation, and if it be not of the right kind and race, it will turn its Eye aside unto any thing else. Gods essential Properties, his Precepts and Promises it can bear a fixed consideration of; but it cannot fix it self on the Person and Mediation of Christ with steadiness and satisfaction. There is indeed much profession of Christ in the World, but little Faith in him.

(5.) Frequency in Exercise is the immediate way and means of the Increase of this Gift, and its improvement. All spiritual Gifts are bestowed on men to be employed and exercised: For the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every one to profit withal, 1 Cor. 12. 7. God both requireth that his Talents be traded withal, that his Gifts be employed and exercised, and will also call us to an account of the discharge of the trust committed unto us in them, see