A53685:255
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.
As where a Master of a Family hath any one in his Family who is able to discharge that Duty and can attend unto it; yet he will find it his Wisdom not to omit his own performance of it, unless he be contented his Gift, as to the use of his Family, should wither and decay. But all that I plead is, that he who conscientiously, with respect unto all the ends of Prayer, doth abound in the exercise of this Gift, he shall assuredly thrive and grow in it, or at least preserve it in answer unto the measure of the Gift of Christ. For I do not propose these things, as though every man in the diligent use of them, may constantly grow and thrive in that part of the Gift which consists in Utterance and Expression. For there is a measure of the Gift of Christ assigned unto every one ⟨p. 177⟩whose bounds he shall not pass, Eph. 4. 7. But in these paths and ways, the Gift which they have received, will be preserved, kept thrifty and flourishing; and from the least beginnings of a Participation of it, they will be carried on unto their own proper measure, which is sufficient for them.
As where a Master of a Family hath any one in his Family who is able to discharge that Duty and can attend unto it; yet he will find it his Wisdom not to omit his own performance of it, unless he be contented his Gift, as to the use of his Family, should wither and decay. But all that I plead is, that he who conscientiously, with respect unto all the ends of Prayer, doth abound in the exercise of this Gift, he shall assuredly thrive and grow in it, or at least preserve it in answer unto the measure of the Gift of Christ. For I do not propose these things, as though every man in the diligent use of them, may constantly grow and thrive in that part of the Gift which consists in Utterance and Expression. For there is a measure of the Gift of Christ assigned unto every one ⟨p. 177⟩whose bounds he shall not pass, Eph. 4. 7. But in these paths and ways, the Gift which they have received, will be preserved, kept thrifty and flourishing; and from the least beginnings of a Participation of it, they will be carryed on unto their own proper measure, which is sufficient for them.