The seconde tome or volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testament conteynyng the epistles of S. Paul, and other the Apostles : wherunto is added a paraphrase vpon the reuelacion of S. John.

The texte.

Lykewyse also the spirite helpeth our infirmities. For we knowe not what to de∣syre as we ought: but the spirite maketh intercession for vs, with grouynges whiche cannot be erpre••sed. And he that sercheth the heartes, knoweth what is the meanyng of the spirit: for he maketh intercession for the saintes, accordyng to the pleasure of God.

These troubles our spiritual and inwarde mā in dede taketh in good worth, and striueth with bodily infirmities: but the spirit of God stayeth with grace, aydyng the weakenes of our fleshe, with hope encouragyng vs to suffer al thinges, euermore at hand, shewyng vs what we ought to desyre, and what we should refuse. For we of our owne might & inclina∣••ion, wote not what is to be desyred, nor how we ought to desyre: by mea∣nes wherof it oftymes cōmeth to passe, that in steede of holsome thinges, we pray for hurteful, euen as it fortuned vnto my self, whiche beyng not content with myne affliccions bodily, desyred importunely Gods helpe, thrise makyng my prayer vnto him, that satan, by whom at that tyme I was troubled, might nomore tēpte me: wherin because I desyred of God that whiche was not for me expedient to attaine, my tequest toke not ef∣fecte. And therfore in stede of pleasures, receiued I holsome giftes. In dede God heareth the peticions of his children, so yet that they make no carnal prayer, but pray vnto him accordyng vnto the mocion of his bles∣sed spirite, secretely mouyug our heartes. The same spirite also, though we hold our peace, is yet a peticioner and meane to God praiyng for vs, not as men are wont to do, but with sighes vnspeakable.

The spirite of man sometyme with great mournyng desyreth god to pre∣serue hym from bodely trouble and affliccion, or els it desyreth worldlye pleasures and commoditeis, muche esteming such thinges as are in very dede but trifles: but the heauenly spirite graffed and planted in godly mē∣nes heartes, desyreth of god suche perticions, whiche y•• we lacke, are to be desyred of god with syghes vnspeakeable, forasmuche as the same obtey∣ned and had bryng with them the verye trew perfit weale, and blysse. Of men must thou with wordes outwardely pronounced and spoken desyre, that y^u myndest to obtayne, as whiche neither know, what we would haue, except they heare it, nor yet sufficiently vnderstande, what is best for vs to be asked, but god, whiche searcheth euen the moste secret parte o•• mannes harte, & throughly loketh into it, knoweth, though we holde oure peace, what oure spirite desireth, and pitiyng mannes miseries, as often as it maketh intercession for suche, as are godly, prayeth not, as man woulde haue it to do, but as goddes holy wil & pleasure is. And desyreth nothing, but suche as apertayne to euerlastyng saluatiō▪ and suche thynges as en∣crease gods honor & glory. Whosoeuer desyreth such thinges, albeit he per aduēture erre in choyse, & electiō, yet is his intēt & purpose good. Wher∣fore god graunteth not alwaye y^•, whiche is of hym desyred, but y^• rather, which is most profitable to y^• ende, wherunto y^u directedst al thy peticions.

Notes

• For we know not, what to desyre as we ought.
• But y^• spirit maketh intet¦cession. &c.
• And he that search •••• the hertes know∣eth, ••••••at is the meanyng of the spirite▪