A69535:314
The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by…
The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by His Sacred Majesty as commissioners for the review and alteration of the Book of common prayer, &c. : being an exact account of their whole proceedings : the most perfect copy.
London printed : s.n., 1661
THE PAPERS That passed between the COMMISSIONERS Appointed by His M… › Section
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.
[The gift or rather spirit of Prayer consists in the inward graces of the spirit, not in ex tempore expressions, which any man of natural 1parts, having a voluble tongue, and audacity, may attain to without any special gift.]
[The gift or rather spirit of Prayer consists in the inward graces of the spirit, not in ex tempore expressions, which any man of natural 1parts, having a voluable tongue, and audacity, may attain to without any special gift.]
- 1S. 2.
Repl. All inward Graces of the spirit, are not properly called the spirit of Prayer, nor is the spirit of Prayer that gift of Prayer which we speak of; Nor did we call it by the name of a special gift,) nor did we deny that ordinary men of natural parts and voluble tongues may attain it; But yet we humbly conceive that as there is a gift of Preaching, so also of Prayer, which God bestows in the use of means, diversified much according to mens natural parts, & their diligence, as other acquired abilities are, but also much depending on that grace that is indeed special, which maketh men ⟨p. 72⟩love and relish the holy subjects of such spiritual studies, and the holy exercise of those Graces that are the soul of Prayer, and consequently making men follow on such exercises with delight and diligence, and therefore with success; And also God is free in giving, or denying his blessing to mans endeavours. If you think there be no Gift of Preaching, you will too dishonourably level the Ministry: If Reading be all the Gift of Prayer or Preaching, there needs no great understanding or learning to it. Nor should Cobblers and Tinkers be so unfit men for Ministers as they are thought; Nor would the reason be very apparent, why a Woman might not speak by Preaching, or praying in the Church.