Thus may we in some good and competent measure try and prove, whether we have the spirit of God or no: for where these fruits are to be found, there is also the spirit of God. For further confirmation whereof, we may note the manner of speech, where he saith, Quench not the spirit, We do commonly use to say, the fire is quenched, when the light and heat thereof is taken away: and indeed nothing can properly be said to be quenched, but the fire. Now whereas the Apostle saith, Quench not the spirit, he giveth us to understand, that the spirit is in some respect like unto fire: therefore if we do but a little consider of the nature of fire, we shall a great deal better judge of the spirit And among1 others, these properties we find to be in the fire. First of all it will burn up, & consume things that may be burned and consumed: and therefore lighting upon straw, stubble, sticks, or such like, it bringeth them to ashes, and doth make them as though they had not been at all. Secondly, it doth purge and purify those things that can abide to be purged: and this it doth, first by taking away the superfluity of dross, that hath overcovered2 the thing to be purged. Then by fining the thing it self, and by making it purer & purer. Thirdly, it giveth light even in the most dim and darkest places. And last3 of all, it giveth heat, and withal, doth as it were put life into those things which are capable4 of life: for whilst a man is frozen and starved for cold, he is numbed, and as it were without life: but being brought to the fire, he is heat, he is revived, he is cheered, & then becometh active & nimble. These are the properties of fire, and these do in some manner resemble and shadow out unto us the works and effects of the spirit. For first of all, when the spirit of God seizeth upon a man, and entereth into his soul, then it beginneth5 to burn, to waste and consume in him, those things that will be wasted: after this sort evil affections, noisome lusts, and other stubble which is in man, by the spirit of God are consumed6 and burned. Secondly, it doth purge us from gross sins, and daily more and more7 doth purify us, that we may be a clean and holy vessel and temple for him to rest and dwell in. Thirdly, it is a shining lamp, ever burning & continually giving light unto us, in8 that way which we have to walk.
Thus may we in some good and competent measure trie and proue, whether we haue the spirit of God or no: for where these fruites are to be found, there is also the spirit of God. For further confirmation whereof, we may note the manner of speech, where he saith, Quench not the spirit, We doe commonly vse to say, the fire is quenched, when the light and heate thereof is taken away: and indeed nothing can properly be said to be quenched, but the fire. Now whereas the Apostle saith, Quench not the spirit, he giueth vs to vnderstand, that the spirit is in some respect like vnto fire: therefore if we doe but a little consider of the nature of fire, we shall a great deale better iudge of the spirit And among1 others, these properties we finde to be in the fire. First of all it will burne vp, & consume things that may be burned and consumed: and therefore lighting vpon straw, stubble, stickes, or such like, it bringeth them to ashes, and doth make them as though they had not beene at all. Secondly, it doth purge and purifie those things that can abide to be purged: and this it doth, first by taking away the superfluitie of drosse, that hath ouercouered2 the thing to be purged. Then by fining the thing it selfe, and by making it purer & purer. Thirdly, it giueth light euen in the most dimme and darkest places. And last3 of all, it giueth heate, and withall, doth as it were put life into those things which are capable4 of life: for whilest a man is frozen and starued for cold, he is numbed, and as it were without life: but being brought to the fire, he is heat, he is reuiued, he is cheered, & then becommeth actiue & nimble. These are the properties of fire, and these do in some manner resemble and shadow out vnto vs the workes and effects of the spirit. For first of all, when the spirit of God seazeth vpon a man, and entreth into his soule, then it beginneth5 to burne, to waste and consume in him, those things that will be wasted: after this sort euill affections, noysome lusts, and other stubble which is in man, by the spirit of God are consumed6 and burned. Secondly, it doth purge vs from grosse sins, and daily more and more7 doth purifie vs, that we may be a cleane and holy vessell and temple for him to rest and dwell in. Thirdly, it is a shining lampe, euer burning & continually giuing light vnto vs, in
- 1The properties of fire, whereby the graces and effects of the spirit are resembled.
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- 5Four effects of the spirit.Foure effects of the spirit.
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