A17286:278
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.
4 Where there are true spiritual 1excellencies, there is an impulse of heart, a strong bent of spirit, in following after the Lord; there is such a powerful impression of divine truths upon the soul, as presses it on with strength in Gods ways, so that it cannot easily be hindered, as the Prophet saith, Isaiah 8 11. That the Lord spake to him with a strong hand, that he should not walk in the way of the people; such a spirit hath not only some desires, and some wishes, to that which is good; but goes on bound in the spirit, as S. Paul says of himself; The love of Christ constrains him; there is a power of godliness where it is true. ⟨p. 232⟩When Elijah had cast his Mantle upon Elisha, the spirit of Elisha was pressed to follow him, 1 King. 19. 19, 20. so that when Elisha desired leave of him to go to his father and mother to take his leave of them, and said, that then he would follow him, Elijah answers him, What have I done to thee? Elijah indeed did nothing in outward appearance, to draw him after him; for what was the casting of his Mantle upon him, to work such an effect in him? but together with the casting of his Mantle, there went a spirit into Elijah, that he could not but follow him: Such a powerful work is there in the sanctifying graces of Gods Spirit, as with strength to cause the soul to follow him; there is a law of the mind that hath power and command in it, as before there was a law of sin.
4 Where there are true spirituall 1excellencies, there is an impulse of heart, a strong bent of spirit, in following after the Lord; there is such a powerfull impression of divine truths upon the soule, as presses it on with strength in Gods wayes, so that it cannot easily bee hindered, as the Propher saith, Esay 8 11. That the Lord spake to him with a strong hand, that he should not walke in the way of the people; such a spirit hath not onely some desires, and some wishes, to that which is good; but goes on bound in the spirit, as S. Paul sayes of himselfe; The love of Christ constraines him; there is a power of godlinesse where it is true. ⟨p. 232⟩