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…

Well then, let Gods servants rejoice in this, that they know it is not from pride, that it is not from humour, that they run not into excess of riot as others do, but from the ⟨p. 158⟩work of God upon their spirits, and this witness they have for themselves, this they have to encourage themselves in, that if the men of the world did but know their principles from whence they work, as they know them themselves, even they would justify both them and their ways. But further, we must know there is a way of God that is real, that tends to life; what ever way it be, this is certain, it must be different from the common course of the world; and if this be not it, in which Gods people do walk, tell us what is that way, and we will walk in it. The Scripture tells us, the way to life is narrow, and that few walk in it; and the other way is broad that tends to death; we cannot therefore but fear, when we see the mark of a way that leads to death. Christs flock is but a little flock, Luke 12. 32. Fear not little flock: there are two diminutives in the Original, the word translated, flock, signifies a little flock; but ⟨p. 159⟩¹that the exceeding littleness of it might appear, Christ adds another word, so the words are, Fear not little flock. And S. John 1 Epist. 5. 19. saith, the whole world lies in wickedness, but we know that we are of God. What a singularity was this in S. John? how doth he difference a few odd contemptible people from the whole world? We are of God, and yet the whole world lies in wickedness, and the world surely is not grown better since. But that you may see, that the way of the godly is not from singularity, or humour, take these Evidences, and judge according as conscience shall tell you is truth.

Well then, let Gods servants rejoyce in this, that they know it is not from pride, that it is not from humour, that they run not into excesse of riot as others doe, but from the ⟨p. 158⟩worke of God upon their spirits, and this witnesse they have for themselves, this they have to encourage themselves in, that if the men of the world did but know their principles from whence they worke, as they know them themselves, even they would justifie both them and their wayes. But further, wee must know there is a way of God that is reall, that tends to life; what ever way it be, this is certaine, it must be different from the common course of the world; and if this be not it, in which Gods people doe walke, tell us what is that way, and wee will walke in it. The Scripture tells us, the way to life is narrow, and that few walke in it; and the other way is broad that tends to death; we cannot therefore but feare, when we see the marke of a way that leads to death. Christs flocke is but a little flocke,