Others again, profess that of all the Privileges whereof they are made partakers ⟨p. 8⟩in this World, of all the Aids, Assistances or Gifts which they receive from or by the Spirit of God, that which he communicates and helps them withal in their Prayers and Supplications, is the most excellent and inestimable. And herein they have living and dying, in all Troubles, Distresses, Temptations and Persecutions, such assurance and satisfaction in their minds, as that they are not in the least moved with all the scorn and contempt that are cast upon their profession and practice in the exercise of the Gift which they have received; but rather judge, that they contract the guilt of great sin to themselves, by whom this work of the Spirit is reproached. Hence I know not any difference about Religious things, that is managed with greater Animosities in the minds of men, and worse Consequents, than this which is about the work of the Spirit of God in Prayer, which indeed is the hinge on which all other differences about Divine Worship do turn and depend. It may therefore be well worth our while, yea it is our Duty, sedately and diligently to enquire into what the Scripture teacheth us in this matter, wherein we must acquiesce, and whereby all Experiences on the one side or the other must be tried and regulated. ⟨p. 9⟩Two things therefore I do propose unto my self in the ensuing Discourse, concerning both which I shall plainly and briefly endeavour the satisfaction of indifferent and unprejudiced Readers. And these are first, to evince that there is promised, and actually granted an especial work of the Spirit of God in the Prayers or praises of Believers under the New Testament; Secondly, to declare the Nature of that work wherein it doth consist, or the manner of the operation of the Holy Spirit therein. And if in these things no impression can be made on the minds of men possessed with those mighty prejudices which reject their very Proposal, and all consideration of them with contempt;
Others again, profess that of all the Priviledges whereof they are made partakers ⟨p. 8⟩in this World, of all the Aids, Assistances or Gifts which they receive from or by the Spirit of God, that which he communicates and helps them withal in their Prayers and Supplications, is the most excellent and inestimable. And herein they have living and dying, in all Troubles, Distresses, Temptations and Persecutions, such assurance and satisfaction in their minds, as that they are not in the least moved with all the scorn and contempt that are cast upon their profession and practice in the exercise of the Gift which they have received; but rather judge, that they contract the guilt of great sin to themselves, by whom this work of the Spirit is reproached. Hence I know not any difference about Religious things, that is managed with greater Animosities in the minds of men, and worse Consequents, than this which is about the work of the Spirit of God in Prayer, which indeed is the hinge on which all other differences about Divine Worship do turn and depend. It may therefore be well worth our while, yea it is our Duty, sedately and diligently to enquire into what the Scripture teacheth us in this matter, wherein we must acquiesce, and whereby all Experiences on the one side or the other must be tryed and regulated. ⟨p. 9⟩Two things therefore I do propose unto my self in the ensuing Discourse, concerning both which I shall plainly and briefly endeavour the satisfaction of indifferent and unprejudiced Readers. And these are first, to evince that there is promised, and actually granted an especial work of the Spirit of God in the Prayers or praises of Believers under the New Testament; Secondly, to declare the Nature of that work wherein it doth consist, or the manner of the operation of the Holy Spirit therein. And if in these things no impression can be made on the minds of men possessed with those mighty prejudices which reject their very Proposal, and all consideration of them with contempt;
