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.

The prayer for the ayd of Gods Spirite.

FOrasmuch (deare Father) as euery man liuing is of him selfe before thee as a beaste, neither knowing thee, nor the thinges concerning their owne duties, vnto thee, I, as one of the most peruerse, filthy and corrupt, doe here humble my selfe before thee, begging at thy hands, that which thou hast pro∣mised to giue vnto as many as ask it of thee, thine holy spirit, that sa∣cred comforter, which reuealeth thee and thy will to the simple and ignorant, which also stirreth vp the minds and inward affections of thy children to call vpon thee, it

prepareth the hartes, and openeth the mouthes of thy children, to ce∣lebrate thy name. Bestow it ther∣fore, good father, bestow it vpon me thy poore creature, and vpon all thy children. And graunt that although all of vs are of corrupt affections, and of polluted lippes, yet we may bee besprinkled with that heauenly Isope, that wee therby may haue our harts clean∣sed from the corrupt affections of the world, and the eyes of our vn∣derstandings opened, that we may see the good things that we should aske, that our feet which are fette∣red with the cares of vaine things may be set at libertie, that we may walk the right way vnto the king∣dome of heauen, that the hands of our soules, may apprehend and take hold of the riches and righte∣ousnes of thy son Christ Jesus: And that by the aide of the saine spirite, we may cast of all impedi∣ments, lets and incumbrāces that detaine vs from comming vnto thee. Sanctifie mee within and without, wash me and I shall be whiter then snowe. Let thy truth

and thy spirit meet together in my soule, that my praier may enter into thy presence. And that thine eares may incline vnto my humble petitions: so shall I declare thy louing kindnesse in the morning, and thy truth in the night.

Thou knowest whereof we be made, thou forgettest not that we are but dust, & vnprofitable peo∣ple: not fitte, apt, or able of our selues to pray vnto thee, or praise thy name.

Wherefore good Father, en∣lighten vs and teach our hartes rightlie to cōceiue: & our tongues, freelie to speake, what may be to thy glory and our comfort: allure vs to seeke thee, and graunt that our harts may reioyce in thee, and that we may liue and die in thee. Amen.

Let vs now seeke the Lord, let vs seeke his strength, yea let vs seeke his face conti∣nually. Psal. 105: 4.

O Lord increase our faith.