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

Neither is there any more strength in this Plea, but what may be reduced unto this Assertion, that there neither are, nor ever were any Hypocrites in the World undiscoverable unto the Eyes of men. For if such there may be, some of these pretenders may be of their Number, notwithstanding the appearance of their Holiness and Honesty. Besides, if the Holiness of the best of them were examined by Evangelical Light and Rule, perhaps it ⟨p. 200⟩would be so far from being a sufficient countenance unto other things, as that it would not be able to defend its own Reputation. Neither is it want of charity, which makes men doubtful and unbelieving in such cases; but that Godly Jealousy and Christian prudence which require them to take care that they be not deceived or deluded, do not only warrant them to abide on that guard, but make it their necessary Duty also. For it is no new thing that pretences of Raptures, Ecstasies, Revelations and unaccountable extraordinary Enjoyments of God, should be made use of unto corrupt Ends, yea abused to the worst imaginable. The experience of the Church both under the Old Testament and the New, witnesseth hereunto as the Apostle Peter declares, 2 Pet. 2. 1. For among them of old, there were multitudes of false pretenders unto visions, dreams, Revelations and such spiritual Ecstasies, some of whom wore a rough Garment to deceive, which went not alone but accompanied with all such appearing austerities, as might beget an opinion of Sanctity and Integrity in them. And when the Body of the People were grown corrupt and superstitious, this sort of men had credit with ⟨p. 201⟩them above the true Prophets of God; Yet did they for the most part show themselves to be Hypocritical Liars. And we are abundantly warned of such Spirits under the New Testament, as we are foretold that such there would be, by whom many should be deluded. And all such pretenders unto extraordinary intercourse with God, we are commanded to try by the unerring Rule of the word, and desire only Liberty so to do.

Neither is there any more strength in this Plea, but what may be reduced unto this Assertion, that there neither are, nor ever were any Hypocrites in the World undiscoverable unto the Eyes of men. For if such there may be, some of these pretenders may be of their Number, notwithstanding the appearance of their Holiness and Honesty. Besides, if the Holiness of the best of them were examined by Evangelical Light and Rule, perhaps it