A17286:191
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.
No dishonour to be singular Seven notes to discover that godly mens differing from other men proceeds not from proud humorous singularity, but from the choiceness and excellency of their spirits.
No dishonor to be singular Seven notes to discover that godly mens differing from other men proceeds not from proud humourous singularity, but from the choicenesse and excellencie of their spirits.
IF godly men be men of another spirit, and this be their commendation; why then should any account it to be a dishonour to be singular from the world? Singularity is cast upon Gods servants as their disgrace, but certainly it is their glory; they are singular, and their ways are singular, it is true, and they avouch it, they rejoice in it, and bless God for it; it is impossible but that it should be so, for they are of another spirit, a peculiar people, separated from the world, set apart for God, their separation is a wonderful separation, Exod. 33. 16. So shall we be separated, says Moses, I and ⟨p. 152⟩thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth; the word is in the Original, We shall be wonderfully separated; No marvel then, though their singularity be such, as the world, who knows not their principles, wonder at it. Their ways are different from other men; I, that is true indeed, who can think otherwise? Their principles, their estates, their dignities, their hopes are raised higher then other mens. Would Saul have been offended, if his former acquaintance had complained; Oh, now, Saul, he minds other things, goes on in other ways, lives after another fashion then we do; I, that is true indeed, for his condition is altered, his estate is raised higher then yours, he hath an other spirit: To complain of Gods servants, that they are singular from others, is all one, as if you should complain of Pearls, that they are more glistering than dirt and gravel. Their way, their lives are singular; Why? how would you have them ⟨p. 153⟩