A53685:181
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.
Some may apprehend that these things belong but little, and that very remotely unto the Duty of Prayer, and the Assistance we receive by the Spirit therein. But the truth is, those who are so minded, on Consideration, know neither what it is to pray, nor what doth belong thereunto. There is nothing more essential unto this Duty, than that in the performance of it, we address our selves unto God under the Notion of a Father, that is, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in him our Father also. Without this we cannot have that Holy Delight in this Duty which is ⟨p. 102⟩required in us, and the want whereof ordinarily ruins our design in it. And this we can have no spiritual satisfactory sense of, but what we receive by and from the Spirit of God.
Some may apprehend that these things belong but little, and that very remotely unto the Duty of Prayer, and the Assistance we receive by the Spirit therein. But the truth is, those who are so minded, on Consideration, know neither what it is to pray, nor what doth belong thereunto. There is nothing more essential unto this Duty, than that in the performance of it, we addresse our selves unto God under the Notion of a Father, that is, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in him our Father also. Without this we cannot have that Holy Delight in this Duty which is ⟨p. 102⟩required in us, and the want whereof ordinarily ruines our design in it. And this we can have no spiritual satisfactory sense of, but what we receive by and from the Spirit of God.
Thirdly, There belongeth thereunto, that Boldness which we have in our Access into the Holy Place, or unto the Throne of Grace. Having therefore boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus, let us draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith, Heb. 10. 19, 22. Where there is on men a Spirit of Fear unto Bondage, they can never have any Delight in their Approaches unto God. And this is removed by the Spirit of Grace and Supplication,