Pneumatologia, or A Discourse concerning the Holy Spirit

Moreover what is Discoursed on these things, is suited unto the Edification of them that do believe, and directed unto their furtherance in true Spiritual Obedience and Holiness, or the Obedience of Faith. Hence it may be some will judg that our Discourses on these Subjects are drawn out into a greater length than was needful convenient, by that continual intermixture of Practical Applications which runs along in them all. But if they shall be pleased to consider, that my Design was not to handle thes• things in a way of Controversy, but declaring and confirming the truth concerning them, to accommodate the Doctrines […] •nto Practice; and that I dare not treat of things of this Nature any other way, but such as may promote the Edification of the generality of Believers, they will either be of my mind, or it may be without much difficulty admit of my Excuse. How-ever if these things are neglected or despised by some, yea, be they never so many, there are yet others […] will judg their principal Concernment to lie in such Discourses as may direct and encourage them in the Holy Practice of their Duty. And whereas t•e Way, Manner, and Method of the Holy Spirit in his Operations, as to this Work of translating Sinners from Death unto Life, from a State of Nature unto that of Grace, have been variously handled by some, and severely reflected on with scorn by others, I have endeavoured so to declare and assert what the Scripture manifestly teacheth concerning them, confirming it with the Testimonies of some of the Ancient Writers of the Church, as I no way doubt but it is suited unto the Experience of who have in their own Souls been made Partakers of that Blessed Work of the Holy Ghost. And whilst in the substance of what is delivered, I have the plain Testimonies of the Scripture, the Suffrage of the Ancient Church, and the Experience of them who do sincerely believe to rest upon, I shall not be greatly moved with the Censures and Opposition of those who are otherwise minded.

Moreover what is Discoursed on these things, is suited unto the Edification of them that do believe, and directed unto their furtherance in true Spiritual Obedience and Holiness, or the Obedience of Faith. Hence it may be some will judg that our Discourses on these Subjects are drawn out into a greater length than was needful ••nvenient, by that continual intermixture of Practical Applications which runs along in them all. But if they shall be pleased to consider, that my Design was not to handle thes things in a way of Controversie, but declaring and confirming the truth concerning them, to accommodate the Doctrines nto Practice; and that I dare not treat of things of this Nature any other way, but such as may promote the Edification of the generality of Believers, they will either be of my mind, or it may be without much difficulty admit of my Excuse. How-ever if these things are neglected or despised by some, yea, be they never so many, there are yet others will judg their principal Concernment to lie in such Discourses as may direct and encourage them in the Holy Practice of their Duty. And whereas te Way, Manner, and Method of the Holy Spirit in his Operations, as to this Work of translating Sinners from Death unto Life, from a State of Nature unto that of Grace, have been variously handled by some, and severely reslecled on with scorn by others, I have endeavourered so to declare and assert what the Scripture manifestly teacheth concerning them, confirming it with the Testimonies of some of the Ancient Writers of the Church, as I no way doubt but it is suited unto the Experience of who have in their own Souls been made Partakers of that Blessed Work of the Holy Ghost. And whilst in the substance of what is delivered, I have the plain Testimonies of the Scripture, the Suffrage of the Ancient Church, and the Experience of them who do sincerely believe to rest upon, I shall not be greatly moved with the Censures and Opposition of those who are otherwise minded.