A17286:181
The excellency of a gracious spirit Delivered in a treatise upon the 14. of…The excellency of a gracious spirit Deliuered in a treatise upon the 14. of…
The excellency of a gracious spirit Delivered in a treatise upon the 14. of Numbers, verse 24. By Jer. Burroughs minister of Gods Word.The excellency of a gracious spirit Deliuered in a treatise upon the 14. of Numbers, verse 24. By Ier. Burroughes minister of Gods Word.
London: printed by Miles for R. Dawlman, 1639
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Fifthly, it causeth to employ their parts faithfully, and so they come to have the blessing of God upon them, for the increase of them, according to his promise, To him that hath, it shall be given. Again, Godliness 1doth not make men cowards, surely, it hinders not spiritual valour; who ever were greater soldiers, more eminent in true valour and fortitude, then Joshua, David, Gideon, Barak, & others, who through faith subdued Kingdoms? Hebr. 11. 32, 33. That is baseness of spirit, and want of valour that makes a man a slave to sin, and the Devil; so a slave, as he hath no heart to any worthy service, to free himself from it; but lies down under it, and carries the fetters and yoke of his bondage about with ⟨p. 137⟩him, whithersoever he goes. That is cowardly baseness that brings conscience into a servile subjection, that cowardly baseness that will suffer the cause of God to be betrayed, rather than venture any thing for it; what greater argument that men want true spirit, than this? Godliness puts a spirit of fortitude into men, that will not suffer them to be thus debased: and where appears the like courage in any, as in these, when they are called to stand for the truth? Though all the Tiles of the houses in the City of Worms, were Devils, yet thither would I go to testify to the truth, saith Luther.
Fifthly, it causeth to imploy their parts faithfully, and so they come to have the blessing of God upon them, for the encrease of them, according to his promise, To him that hath, it shall bee given. Againe, Godlinesse 1doth not make men cowards, surely, it hinders not spirituall valour; who ever were greater souldiers, more eminent in true valour and fortitude, then Ioshua, David, Gideon, Barak, & others, who through faith subdued Kingdomes? Hebr. 11. 32, 33. That is basenesse of spirit, and want of valour that makes a man a slave to sin, and the Devill; so a slave, as he hath no heart to any worthy service, to free himselfe from it; but lies down under it, and carries the fetters and yoake of his bondage about with