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…

6 And yet further, you have need of other spirits, because you have temptations greater and stronger than others; therefore if you have not the more excellent spirits, you are in greater danger than others. The high estate of great outward dignity, is a very dangerous estate, if God gives not an extraordinary spirit. There is a notable story of Pius Quintus, that Pope, who excommunicated Queen Elizabeth; my Author of the story is a Jesuit, Cornelius à Lapide; one highly esteemed amongst the Papists, and therefore the truth of it is to be the less suspected: the story is this; he says, that this Pope Pius Quintus was wont to say of himself, that When I was first in religious Orders (that is, without any further ⟨p. 211⟩Ecclesiastical dignity) I had a very good hope of the salvation of my soul; ¹but being made a Cardinal, I began to be much afraid; but now being Pope, I do even despair. So, says Cornelius, did Clement the eight, that followed after him, think of himself. Thus by this example we see what a dangerous thing it is, to be raised in outward honour, and yet still the spirit to continue base and vile.

6 And yet further, you have need of other spirits, because you have temptations greater and stronger than others; therefore if you have not the more excellent spirits, you are in greater danger than others. The high estate of great outward dignitie, is a very dangerous estate, if God gives not an extraordinary spirit. There is a notable story of Pius Quintus, that Pope, who excommunicated Queene Elizabeth; my Author of the story is a Jesuite, Cornelius à Lapide; one highly esteemed amongst the Papists, and therefore the truth of it is to bee the lesse suspected: the story is this; he sayes, that this Pope Pius Quintus was wont to say of himselfe, that When I was first in religious Orders (that is, without any further ⟨p. 211⟩Ecclesiasticall dignity) I had a very good hope of the salvation of my soule; ¹but being made a Cardinall, I began to be much afraid; but now bein Pope, I do even despaire. So, sayes Cornelius, did Clement the eight, that followed after him, thinke of himselfe. Thus by this example wee see what a dangerous thing it is, to bee raised in outward honour, and yet still the spirit to continue base and vile.