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…

Secondly, the choiceness of a mans spirit raiseth it to converse with high ¹things, and so carries it above the rubs, the snares and hindrances that are below; and being above these, it goes on freely and fully in its course, and is not in that danger of miscarrying, as other poor spirits are, who converse so much with the things upon the earth: as Birds that fly high, are not catched by the Fowler, they are not taken by his Lime-twigs, by his Net or Pit fall so as others are, who are much below upon the ground. Broverb. 15. 24. The way of Life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath; It is the ⟨p. 407⟩keeping in his way above, that delivers him from the dangers & snares that are laid for him below. Thunders and Lightnings, tempests and storms, make no alteration in the highest Region; so the threats and oppositions against the ways of godliness, and all the troubles that the world causeth, make no alterations in heavenly hearts, that keep above. When the tree grows low, it is subject to be bitten by the Beasts, but when it is grown up on high, it is out of danger: The lower the heart is, the nearer the earth, the more danger; but when it is got up on high, the danger is past; and now, what should hinder it from the growing up to the full measure of it in Christ.

Secondly, the choicenesse of a mans spirit raiseth it to converse with high ¹things, and so carries it above the rubs, the snares and hindrances that are below; and being above these, it goes on freely and fully in its course, and is not in that danger of miscarrying, as other poore spirits are, who converse so much with the things upon the earth: as Birds that flie high, are not catched by the Fowler, they are not taken by his Lime-twigs, by his Net or Pit fall so as others are, who are much below upon the ground. Broverb. 15. 24. The way of Life is above to the wise, that hee may depart from hell beneath; It is the ⟨p. 407⟩keeping in his way above, that delivers him from the dangers & snares that are laid for him below. Thunders and Lightnings, tempests and stormes, make no alteration in the highest Region; so the threats and oppositions against the wayes of godlinesse, and all the troubles that the world causeth, make no alterations in heavenly hearts, that keepe above. When the tree growes low, it is subject to bee bitten by the Beasts, but when it is growne up on high, it is out of danger: The lower the heart is, the nearer the earth, the more danger; but when it is got up on high, the danger is past; and now, what should hinder it from the growing up to the full measure of it in Christ.