A17286:213
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.
Cap. IX.
Communion and converse with men of such excellent spirits, is a most blessed thing.
IF the godly be of such excellent spirits, then converse and communion with them is a most blessed thing; no greater heaven upon ⟨p. 174⟩earth than this; for here you may see the beauty and lustre of Gods graces shining, the brightness of which darkens all the beauty and glory of the world to a spiritual eye. Seneca saw so much excellency, that Morality put upon a man, that he says, that the very look of a good man 1delights one: The very sight of such servants of God, who walk close with God, who are careful to keep their spirits clear and shining; truly, it is very delightful, it hath much quickening in it; the uprightness, holiness, spiritual enlightenings, that their souls have, will guide them to advise for God in safe and good ways. The advise of godly men, in things concerning God, is much to be prized. It was a good speech of Shechaniah to Ezra, Chap. 10. 3. Now therefore let us make a Covenant with our God, &c. according to the counsel of the Lord, and of those that fear the Commandment of our GOD. It was good to follow their counsel. The spirits of these are savoury in their discourse, ⟨p. 175⟩in their duties, in all their carriage; their example exceeding powerful and profitable. The blessing of Abigail upon David, was, The Lord bind up his soul in the bundle of life. Enjoyment of communion with Gods people, is the binding up of our souls in the bundle of life, for every one of them hath life in him. Doctor Taylor the Martyr, rejoiced that ever he came into prison, because he came there to have acquaintance with that Angel of God John Bradford, as he calls him. If the society of one sweet heavenly spirited man, be enough to make a prison cheerful, what a blessing then is the enjoyment of communion with many? All my delight (saith David) is in the Saints, in them that excel in the earth. It is the blessing of the Gospel, to come to the spirits of just men made perfect,