A progresse of pietie. Or the harbour of heauenly harts ease to recreate the afflicted soules of all such as are shut vp in anye inward or outward affliction. By Iohn Norden.

A motion to Praier, that God by his holy Spirite will teach vs how to praie.

LEt vs consider how willing and readye our good God is to harken vnto the de∣sires of all such as hunger and thirst for the riches of his grace,* 1.1 without which such is our pouertie, That we know not what to aske as we ought:* 1.2 But the spirite helpeth our infirmities, and maketh request for vs with sighes which can not be expressed. And although that flesh and bloud bee so corrupt,* 1.3 that it alwaies groue∣leth on the puddle of worldly cares and the better part, namely the in∣ner man, in the meane time is for∣gotten, and standeth indangered to fall into manie euils, yet hauing the earnest of this spirit,* 1.4 we may boldely come vnto our GOD, who hath promised to sende the same: if we aske it at his handes, ••e will giue it in such aboundance

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

and full measure that by the ver∣tue thereof we shall be able to pray according to the wil of God.* 1.5 This is the cōforter which Christ pro∣mised to sende vnto vs,* 1.6 euen the holy Ghost,* 1.7 which should teach vs all things. And without it wee know nothing.* 1.8 And alas what were it for vs to fall downe before God in most reuerent outwarde maner, pouring foorth a huge heap of words from the lippes, not ha∣uing this inward director: Sure∣ly it were but to spend time to no purpose:* 1.9 It is the Spirit that cri∣eth in our hartes, Abba father. The spirit of a man knoweth only the things that are of man:* 1.10 but the Spirite of God knoweth and de∣sireth the things that are of God, And the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God:* 1.11 for they are folishnesse vnto him. But he that hath the spirit of God,* 1.12 he discerneth all things. Let vs therefore pray in the holy Ghost,* 1.13 let vs pray alwaies with all maner prayer and supplications in the Spirite.* 1.14

And let vs pray continually for

the ayde of this sacred guide, the holy Spirit of God, which will both mooue vs vnto, and direct vs in all things that are requisite to the due performance of this godly exercise.

Notes

• * 1.1

  God is wil∣ling and ready to giue his spi∣rit to them that pray for it.
• * 1.2

  We knowe not what to aske without the spirite Rom. 8. 25, 27.
• * 1.3

  Flesh and bloud ig∣norant of things ne∣cessarie to be prayed for.
• * 1.4

  2. Cor, 1. 22. & 5. 5.
• * 1.5

  Rom. 8. 17
• * 1.6

  The Spirite of God the promised comforter
• * 1.7

  Ioh. 14. 26.
• * 1.8

  Wordes with out the spirit of God are vaine.
• * 1.9

  The effect of the spi∣rit.
• * 1.10

  The spirit of man vn∣derstādeth onely out∣ward things.
• * 1.11

  1 cor 2. 11. vers. 14. 15.
• * 1.12

  The spirit of God dis∣cerneth all things.
• * 1.13

  Iud•• ••0
• * 1.14

  Ephe. 6. 1.