What is the spirit of the Prophets?

1 Thess. 5.23. There are three things in a man, body, soul, and spirit; the soul of a man is the breath of God, by which he is made a living creature; by the spirit of a man here is meant, the inclination of the mind, which is called a spirit in divers places, as a spirit of fornication, a spirit of slumber, a spirit of jealousy, every good or evil inclination is called a spirit, Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, Ephes. 4.23. that is, the disposition of your minds. What is the reason some are more just, some are more painful then others? the good or evil spirit comes upon them.

1 Thess. 5.23. There are three things in a man, body, soul, and spirit; the soul of a man is the breath of God, by which he is made a living creature; by the spirit of a man here is meant, the inclination of the mind, which is called a spirit in divers places, as a spirit of fornication, a spirit of slumber, a spirit of jealousie, every good or evill inclination is called a spirit, Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, Ephes. 4.23. that is, the disposition of your mindes. What is the reason some are more just, some are more painfull then others? the good or evill spirit comes upon them.

Why is thy inclination called a spirit?

Try the spirits, what variety of spirits are there?

Try all things, saith the Apostle, and keep that which is good, 1 Thes. 5.21. There be three sorts of spirits, of the World, of the Devil, and of God, every Minister is led by some of these; of every one of these spirits there is a great variety.

1. Sometimes the spirit of God comes upon a man, as it did on the seventy Elders, Numb. 11.25, 26. The Spirit of God is like the spirit of new Wine, which ripens the wits; so when the spirit of God comes upon a man, he doth better understand the Word of God, and the hearts of the people, The spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God, 1 Cor. 2. There are two sorts of deep things of God, some lye hidden in the word of God, some in man.

2. There is a spirit of the world, which doth not shine for the uniting of the hearts of Gods people; but this is a spirit of pride, when a man would be counted a learned man; or when a man seeks his own profit or honour; the Spirit of God seeks to know the things that are given him of God, 1 Cor. 2.12.

2. There is a spirit of the world, which doth not shine for the uniting of the hearts of Gods people; but this is a spirit of pride, when a man would be counted a learned man; or when a man seeks his own profit or honor; the Spirit of God seeks to know the things that are given him of God, 1 Cor. 2.12.

3. There is the spirit of the Devil, which guides a man into error in his doctrine, as Peter said to our Saviour, This shall not be unto thee; this spirit searcheth not the deep things of God, but of the Devil; this spirit seeks to make the hearts of those sad, whom he would not have made sad, 2 Cor. 11.2.13. to 15. to pervert the Scripture, and drive out the care of Gods service, and the power of godliness.

3. There is the spirit of the Devil, which guides a man into errour in his doctrine, as Peter said to our Saviour, This shall not be unto thee; this spirit searcheth not the deep things of God, but of the Devil; this spirit seeks to make the hearts of those sad, whom he would not have made sad, 2 Cor. 11.2.13. to 15. to pervert the Scripture, and drive out the care of Gods service, and the power of godlinesse.

Use 1. This should instruct Ministers, when they come into the presence of God, and enter into the Ministry, to labour to prevail with God, that they may be acquainted with the deep things of God, that they may lead the people of God by the still waters of comfort and consolation, such a man will go out conquering and to conquer, and in prospering to prosper.

Ʋse 1. This should instruct Ministers, when they come into the presence of God, and enter into the Ministry, to labour to prevail with God, that they may be acquainted with the deep things of God, that they may lead the people of God by the still waters of comfort and consolation, such a man will goe out conquering and to conquer, and in prospering to prosper.

2. This should instruct the people of God to search the Scriptures daily, that so they may be the better able to try the spirits of their Ministers; labour they also to try their own hearts.

3. To exhort people to be earnest with God, that they may be endued with his Spirit.

Try the spirits.

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