A17286:263
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.
8 And would it not be a grievous thing to you, to see poor, inferior, mean men and women to be lifted up to glory, & your selves cast out, an eternal curse? have not many of them most excellent precious spirits? do they not do God far more service than you? do they not bring more honour to his Name, than ever you did? Think then with your selves, Why should God put those who are of such choice precious spirits, into such a low condition, and raise me to such an high? Is it not because he intends to give me my portion in this life, but reserves better mercies for them afterwards? It would be very grievous ⟨p. 214⟩indeed if it should prove so.
8 And would it not be a grievous thing to you, to see poore, inferiour, meane men and women to be lifted up to glory, & your selves cast out, an eternall curse? have not many of them most excellent pretious spirits? doe they not doe God farre more service than you? doe they not bring more honor to his Name, than ever you did? Think then with your selves, Why should God put those who are of such choice pretious spirits, into such a low condition, and raise me to such an high? Is it not because he intends to give me my portion in this life, but reserves better mercies for them afterwards? It would bee very grievous ⟨p. 214⟩indeed if it should prove so.
9 The hopes we have of the continuance of our peace in the happy enjoyment of those precious liberties of the Gospel, that in so great mercy have been continued unto us, depends much upon the work of Gods grace upon your souls: If God takes off your spirits from common vanities, the pleasures of the flesh, from the poor low things of the world, from your own private ends, and causes the fear of his great Name to fall upon them, and raiseth them to the love of, and delight in the great things of godliness, to be given up wholly to him, to lift up his great Name; we shall then look upon you as the joyful hopes of our souls, that God still doth & will delight in the blessing, peace & prosperity of his people: But if we see darkness upon your spirits, then a dismal night of darkness is upon us. As when we see it wax dark in the valleys, we say, it is towards night; if it begins to be dark upon the hills, it