A discourse of the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer with a brief…

Wherefore the foundation of the whole ensuing Discourse is laid in the consideration and exposition of some of those Texts of Scripture wherein these things are expressly revealed and proposed unto us; for to insist on them all, were endless. This we principally labour in, as that whereby not only must the controversy be finally determined; but the Persons that manage it be eternally judged. What is added concerning the Experience of them that do believe the Truth herein, claims no more of Argument unto them that have it not, than it hath Evidence of proceeding from, and being ⟨image 5⟩suited unto those Divine Testimonies. But whereas the things that belong unto it, are of great moment unto them who do enjoy it, as containing the principal Acts, Ways and Means of our Intercourse and Communion with God by Christ Jesus, they are here somewhat at large on all occasions insisted on for the Edification of those whose concernment lieth only in the practice of the Duty it self. Unless therefore it can be proved, that the Testimonies of the Scripture produced and insisted on, do not contain that sense and Understanding which the words do determinately express (for that only is pleaded,) or that some have not an Experience of the Truth and Power of that sense of them, enabling them to live unto God in this Duty according to it, all other Contests about this matter are vain and useless.

Wherefore the foundation of the whole ensuing Discourse is laid in the consideration and exposition of some of those Texts of Scripture wherein these things are expresly revealed and proposed unto us; for to insist on them all, were endless. This we principally labour in, as that whereby not only must the controversy be finally determined; but the Persons that manage it be eternally judged. What is added concerning the Experience of them that do believe the Truth herein, claims no more of Argument unto them that have it not, than it hath Evidence of proceeding from, and being ⟨image 5⟩suited unto those Divine Testimonies. But whereas the things that belong unto it, are of great moment unto them who do enjoy it, as containing the principal Acts, Ways and Means of our Entercourse and Communion with God by Christ Jesus, they are here somewhat at large on all occasions insisted on for the Edification of those whose concernment lyeth only in the practice of the Duty it self. Unless therefore it can be proved, that the Testimonies of the Scripture produced and insisted on, do not contain that sense and Understanding which the words do determinately express (for that only is pleaded,) or that some have not an Experience of the Truth and Power of that sense of them, enabling them to live unto God in this Duty according to it, all other Contests about this matter are vain and useless.