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Now, whereas the Apostle saith, Quench not the spirit, it may appear he speaketh to those that had already received the spirit. For, as the fire cannot be said to be quenched, where it is not: so they cannot be said to quench or loose the spirit, which have not as yet received it. Then know, that this precept doeth properly belong to them, that have received the spirit of God, and they especially are to make a special use of it: for the other, it cannot profit them, unless that, as the seed lying in the ground a long time doth afterward bud and become fruitful; so this continue in their minds, till they have tasted (in some good sort) of the spirit of GOD, and then breed in them some carefulness that they do not quench it. Well then, to them that have felt and found the spirit of GOD in them, to them saith Saint Paul in this place. Take heed, that ye quench not the spirit. Of this, if we do somewhat seriously consider; these two questions will offer them selves, and soon arise in our mind. ⟨p. 144⟩First, how we may know whether we have the spirit of God, or no: Secondly, if we have it, whether it may be lost again or no: which if they be well and sufficiently answered, they will doubtless give great force unto this precept. For the first then, if we will know whether we have the spirit or no; we must surely understand, that as he knoweth best that he hath life, which feeleth it in himself: so he best knoweth whether we have the spirit of God, that feeleth the spirit working in him. And if we will further know, by the peculiar working and effects of the spirit, then let us mark these. First of all, if there be nothing in man but the nature of man; if nothing but that may be attained by the art and industry of a man, then surely in that man, is not the spirit of God: for the spirit is from God, it is from above, it is above nature: and therefore the Apostle doth set the spirit of God, against the spirit of the world, when he saith: we have received the spirit, not of the world, but of God, Besides, the spirit of God is eternal, and endureth for ever: but all the doings and devises of men they perish, and in time they have an end. Therefore though a man have wisdom with great knowledge, though in wit and skill he pass and excel the common ⟨p. 145⟩sort of men:

Now, whereas the Apostle saith, Quench not the spirit, it may appeare he speaketh to those that had alredy receiued the spirit. For, as the fire cānot be said to be quē ched, where it is not: so they cannot be sayd to quench or loose the spirit, which haue not as yet receiued it. Then knowe, that this precept doeth properly beelong to them, that haue receiued the spirit of God, and they especially are to make a special vse of it: for the other, it cannot profite them, vnlesse that, as the seede lying in the ground a long time doth afterwarde budde and become fruitfull; so this continue in their mindes, tyll they haue tasted (in some good sorte) of the spirite of GOD, and then breede in them some carefulnesse that they doe not quench it. Well then, to them that haue felt and founde the spirite of GOD in them, to them saith Sainte Paul in this place. Take heede, that yee quench not the spirite. Of this, if wee doe somewhat seriouslye consider; these two questions will offer them selues, and soone arise in our minde.