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

but through a little observation of what they did, spake, and pretended unto, with an Examination of all by the unerring Rule, they quickly came into contempt. All I intend at present is, that whatever be in this pretence, it is altogether useless unto Edification, and therefore ought the declaration of it, to be of no regard in the Church of God. If the Apostle would not allow the use of Words, though miraculously suggested unto them that used them, without an immediate interpretation of their signification, what would he have said ⟨p. 197⟩of such words and things as are capable of no interpretation, so as that any man living should understand them? For those by whom at present they are so extolled and commended unto us, do themselves discourse at Random, as blind men talk of Colours, for they pretend not to have any Experience of these things themselves. And it is somewhat an uncouth way of procedure to enhance the value of the Communion of their Church, and to invite others unto it, by declaring that there are some amongst them who enjoyed such spiritual Ecstasies, as could neither by themselves, nor any others be understood. For nothing can be so, wherein or whereabout there is no exercise of Reason or Understanding. Wherefore the old Question cui bono, will discharge this pretence from being of any value or esteem in Religion with considerate men.

Again, As the whole of this kind of Prayer is useless as to the Benefit and Edification of the Church or any member of it; so it is impossible there should ever be any certainty about the Raptures wherein it is pretended to consist, but they must everlastingly be the subject of contention and dispute. For who shall assure me that the ⟨p. 198⟩Persons pretending unto these Duties or Enjoyments are not mere pretenders? Any man that lives, if he have a mind unto it, may say such things, or use such expressions concerning himself. If a man indeed shall pretend and declare that he doth, or enjoyeth such things as are expressed in the Word of God as the Duty or privilege of any, and thereon are acknowledged by all to be things in themselves true and real, and likewise attainable by Believers, he is ordinarily, so far as I know, to be believed in his Profession, unless he can be convicted of falsehood by any thing inconsistent with such Duties or Enjoyments. Nor do I know of any great Evil in our credulity herein, should we happen to be deceived in or by the Person so professing, seeing he speaks of no more than all acknowledge it their Duty to endeavour after. But when any one shall pretend unto spiritual actings or Enjoyments which are neither prescribed nor promised in the Scripture, nor are investigable in the Light of Reason, no man is upon this mere profession obliged to give credit thereunto; Nor can any man tell what evil effect or Consequences his so doing may produce. For when men are once taken off from that sure Ground of