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

Among these is that of an Ability for Prayer; and to deny them to have it, supposing them true Believers, is expressly to contradict the Apostle, affirming that because we are Sons, God sends forth the Spirit of his Son into our Hearts, whereby we cry Abba Father. But this Ability, as I have showed, is no way to be improved, but in and by a ⟨p. 225⟩constant exercise. Now whether the use of the Forms enquired into, which certainly taketh men off from the Exercise of what Ability they have, do not tend directly to keep them still low and mean in their Abilities, is not hard to determine.

Among these is that of an Ability for Prayer; and to deny them to have it, supposing them true Believers, is expresly to contradict the Apostle, affirming that because we are Sons, God sends forth the Spirit of his Son into our Hearts, whereby we cry Abba Father. But this Ability, as I have shewed, is no way to be improved, but in and by a ⟨p. 225⟩constant exercise. Now whether the use of the Forms enquired into, which certainly taketh men off from the Exercise of what Ability they have, do not tend directly to keep them still low and mean in their Abilities, is not hard to determine.

But suppose these spoken of, are not yet real Believers, but only such as profess the Gospel, not yet sincerely converted unto God, whose Duty also it is to pray on all occasions: These have no such principle or Ability to improve, and therefore this Advantage is not by them to be neglected. I answer; that the matter of all spiritual Gifts is spiritual Light; according therefore to their measure in the Light of the knowledge of the Gospel, such is their measure in spiritual Gifts also. If they have no spiritual Light, no insight into the knowledge of the Gospel, Prayers framed and composed according unto it will be of little use unto them. If they have any such Light, it ought to be improved by Exercise in this Duty which is of such indispensable necessity unto their Souls.