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…

Luther was so far above the sin of covetousness, as he saith of himself, he found no temptations to that sin, though his spirit was much pestered with temptations in other kinds. The Devil will not set upon such with ordinary temptations, he knows it is in vain; when he comes upon them, it is with temptations of a higher nature, of stronger efficacy; as some mens bodies are of such strong constitutions, as that which will work mightily upon others, will not stir them: So it is with mens spirits, the devil need not trouble himself much about many; the poorest, sleightest temptations are enough ⟨p. 33⟩to draw them to what he would have: yea, and such who account themselves to be of brave, of more than ordinary spirits too, who can stand out strongly against GOD, and his truth, against the strongest arguments; the drawing motives, the powerful persuasions of the Word, they move them not at all; but every poor temptation of the Devil draws them any way; they have no power to resist, but are led as the Ox to the slaughter, and as the fool to the stocks. The godly man is strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, Ephes. 6. 10. Other men are strong in their lusts, and in the power of them against the Lord and his truth.

Luther was so farre above the sin of covetousnesse, as he saith of himself, he found no temptations to that sinne, though his spirit was much pestred with temptations in other kindes. The Devill will not set upon such with ordinary temptations, hee knowes it is in vaine; when he comes upon them, it is with temptations of a higher nature, of stronger efficacy; as some mens bodies are of such strong constitutions, as that which will work mightily upon others, will not stirre them: So it is with mens spirits, the devill need not trouble himself much about many; the poorest, sleightest temptatiōs are enough ⟨p. 33⟩to draw them to what hee would have: yea, and such who account themselves to be of brave, of more than ordinary spirits too, who can stand out strongly against GOD, and his truth, against the strongest arguments; the drawing motives, the powerfull perswasions of the Word, they move them not at all; but every poore temptation of the Devill drawes them any way; they have no power to resist, but are led as the Oxe to the slaughter, and as the foole to the stocks. The godly man is strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might,