§. 130. Of discerning when we pray in the Spirit.
[Vse 1] HEreby may we iudge whether the Spirit of God be in vs, and moue vs to pray or no. If our prayer come
The vvhole-armor of God: or A Christians spiritual furniture, to keepe him safe from all the assaults of Satan First preached, and now the second time published and enlarged for the good of all such as well vse it:whereunto is also added a treatise of the sinne against the Holy Ghost. By VVilliam Gouge B.D. and preacher of Gods Word in Blacke Fryers London. ...
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- The vvhole-armor of God: or A Christians spiritual furniture, to keepe him safe from all the assaults of Satan First preached, and now the second time published and enlarged for the good of all such as well vse it:whereunto is also added a treatise of the sinne against the Holy Ghost. By VVilliam Gouge B.D. and preacher of Gods Word in Blacke Fryers London. ...
- Author
- Gouge, William, 1578-1653.
- Publication
- At London :: Printed by Iohn Beale,
- 1619.
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- Subject terms
- Spiritual life -- Modern period, 1500-.
- Sin, Unpardonable -- Early works to 1800.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A01979.0001.001
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"The vvhole-armor of God: or A Christians spiritual furniture, to keepe him safe from all the assaults of Satan First preached, and now the second time published and enlarged for the good of all such as well vse it:whereunto is also added a treatise of the sinne against the Holy Ghost. By VVilliam Gouge B.D. and preacher of Gods Word in Blacke Fryers London. ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A01979.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 18, 2025.
Pages
Page 487
but from the teeth, though it be neuer so well framed in regard of the forme of words, and though our gesture be neuer so seemely, sauouring of much reuerence and hu∣mility, yet all is nothing: the Spirit of God hath no part in this worke, if thy spirit pray not. Herein lieth a maine difference betwixt the manner of perswading God and man. Man may be moued with faire speeches, inticing words, eloquent phrases, (a 1.1 as the people of Tyrus and Si∣don with Herods eloquent Oration) but all the eloquence in the World is no more to God then the lowing of an Oxe, or the howling of a dogge, if it come not from the spirit. Hearty and vpright prayer is the best rhetoricke to moue God withall.
[Vse 2] What matter of humiliation is ministred vnto most, euen of them that are accounted the best? how often doe such as heare others pray, fall downe on their knees, and so seeme to pray, and yet know not what hath beene prayed? Their thoughts haue beene vpon other matters. Some manifest as much in that, when the prayer is en∣ded, they testifie no assent thereunto by saying, Amen. Yea, how often doe they who vtter the prayer (Ministers in the Church, other persons in other places) tumble ouer words with their mouthes, when their hearts are wan∣dring, so as little assent of spirit, if any at all hath been gi∣uen to their owne words? Can such sacrifices be accepta∣ble to God? let vs be humbled for that which is past; and be more watchfull ouer our hearts for the time to come.
Notes
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a 1.1
Act. 12. 21, 22