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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1737 Excerpt:...need not have Recourse to the first Ages of Christianity, to trace out the Origin of those who are now called Myjlicks: Neither is it requisite that we should prove, that the Expressions, the Notions, Contemplations, Principles, Enthusialm, &c. of those who are so called, were known to the primitive Christians, and that many ecclesiastical Authors, even some Saints, have gone, both in their Conduct and Writings, beyond the Bounds of what is required of Men,as their essential Duty. Particular Men may, by a special Privilege from God, have been raised to a higher Degree of Holiness, which would appear merely fantastical if ordinary Men should claim it; and Saints, in their exalted Station, may use extraordinary and supernatural Expressions; which, if apply'd to a whole Sect, upon all Occasions, as a Rule by which Consciences are to be governed, contrary to the constant Practice of all civil Societies, even of Christian Communions, would at last turn to the Prejudice and utter Ruin of both. Ancient and modern My/licks, which, by their own natural Temper, or from Self-Conviction, have been carried beyond the usual Limits, ought to be excused and pitied: But, without judging too severely of the ancient Myjlicks, who are far less dangerous by the Distance of Time, who can find Fault with us for blaming those of a later Date who have made it a general Practice to speak in such a Language, as no-body else, nor they themselves can understand? Our modern Quietiflis and Pietists seem to be of Opinion, that their so much boasted Contemplations, ought, like a strong Fever, to deprive Men of all common Sense, and rational Way of thinking or speaking b. It must be owned, that a great Fervour of Devotion is often accompany'd with a heavenly Fire and Sallies, which rais...