I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also,…

Secondly, To speak a word by way of Encouragement (to the poor tempted and cast-down soul) to pray to God through Christ. Though all Prayer that is accepted of God in reference to eternal life must be in the Spirit, for that only maketh intercession for us according to the Will of God, Rom. 8. 27. Yet, because many poor souls may have the holy Spirit working on them, and stirring of them to groan unto the Lord for mercy, though through unbelief they do not, nor for the present cannot believe that they are the People of God, such as he delights in; yet forasmuch as the truth of Grace may be in them, therefore I shall, to encourage them, lay down further these few particulars.

Secondly, To speak a word by way of Encouragement (to the poor tempted and cast-down soul) to pray to God through Christ. Though all Prayer that is accepted of God in reference to eternal life must be in the Spirit, for that onely maketh intercession for us according to the Will of God, Rom. 8. 27. Yet, because many poor souls may have the holy Spirit working on them, and stirring of them to groan unto the Lord for mercy, though through unbelief they do not, nor for the present cannot believe that they are the People of God, such as he delights in; yet forasmuch as the truth of Grace may be in them, therefore I shall, to encourage them, lay down further these few particulars.

1. That Scripture in Luke 11. 8. is very encouraging to any poor soul that ⟨p. 100⟩doth hunger after Christ Jesus. In the 5th, 6th, and 7th verses, he speaketh a parable of a man that went to his friend to borrow three loaves, who, because he was in bed, denied him, yet for his importunity-sake he did arise and give him; clearly signifying, that though poor souls through the weakness of their faith cannot see that they are the friends of God, yet they should never leave asking, seeking, and knocking at God's door for mercy,