A53685:122
A discourse of the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer with a brief…
A discourse of the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer with a brief enquiry into the nature and use of mental prayer and forms / by John Owen ...
London: printed for Nathanael Ponder, 1682
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
We may therefore dismiss the Holy Spirit and his Assistance as unto this Concernment of Prayer; for the due matter of it may be so set down and fixed on Ink and Paper, that the meanest capacity cannot miss of his Duty therein. This therefore is that which is to be tried in our ensuing discourse; Namely, what whereas it is plainly affirmed that we know not of our selves what we should pray for as we ought, (which I judge to be universally true, as unto all Persons, as well those who prescribe Prayers, as those unto whom they are prescribed) and that the Holy Spirit helps and relieveth us herein, whether we may or ought to relinquish and neglect his Assistance, and so to rely only on such supplies as are invented or used unto that end, for which he is promised; that is plainly, whether the Word of God be to be trusted unto in this matter or not.
We may therefore dismiss the Holy Spirit and his Assistance as unto this Concernment of Prayer; for the due matter of it may be so set down and fixed on Ink and Paper, that the meanest capacity cannot miss of his Duty therein. This therefore is that which is to be tryed in our ensuing discourse; Namely, what whereas it is plainly affirmed that we know not of our selves what we should pray for as we ought, (which I judge to be universally true, as unto all Persons, as well those who prescribe Prayers, as those unto whom they are prescribed) and that the Holy Spirit helps and relieveth us herein, whether we may or ought to relinquish and neglect his Assistance, and so to rely only on such supplies as are invented or used unto that end, for which he is promised; that is plainly, whether the Word of God be to be trusted unto in this matter or not.
It is true, that whatever we ought to pray for, is declared in the Scripture; yea and summarily comprised in the Lords Prayer. But it is one thing to have what we ⟨p. 52⟩ought to pray for, in the Book; another thing to have it in our Mind, and Hearts, without which it will never be unto us, the due matter of Prayer. It is out of the abundance of the Heart that the Mouth must speak in this matter,