It was said of Saul, that the Lord gave him another heart, than formerly he had, he had the spirit of Government, a special ability to the discharge of the place that the Lord had called him unto: So it is with every Christian, he hath another heart, than ever before, and performs his duties from another power, than ever he did before,1 even by the power of Christ. So the Apostle professeth, He did not live, nor pray, nor preach. It was not abilities of nature which he had: not knowledge ⟨p. 121⟩of Art and learning, in which he excelled, by which he prayed: but it was the power and gracious presence of the Holy Spirit of Christ, that acted and carried out all those abilities, yea that spiritual power of grace he had to this work, either of praying or preaching. So 2. Cor. 13.3. If any man require a testimony of Christ speaking in me. And therefore its the reason, which he gives, why the things of God are known by believers, and not known to the greatest of the world. 1. Cor. 2.11. No man knows the things of God, but the Spirit of God and we have not received the spirit of the world, but the spirit of God. Nay he comes yet lower, to the very expression of the words: Which things we speak, not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth. And the Saints often find, and profess it, they are helped and carried beyond all the abilities they have, yea beyond all the power of all the grace they have. That look, as when we see a swaddling Child left in his Cradle in a lower room, come again, we find it laid in the highest loft or Chamber in the house, each man easily concludes: There was another power than that it had of it self, that conveyed it thither. So here: when the poor and ignorant amongst men; come to know and do the things that are spiritual; Eph. 2.10. His workmanship. They are enlightened and enabled, beyond all they had, or ever once apprehended; or could come into their own thoughts, there was a higher power, even the presence and assistance of a God, the Lord Jesus himself to help. Math. 11.25. I thank thee O Father, that thou hast revealed these things to babes: and adds, no man knows the Father, but the Son. Therefore the Prophet begs, that he might not be left to his spirit: Psal. 143.10. Teach me the way to thee, thy Spirit is Good; q. d. My spirit is naught.
It was said of Saul, that the Lord gave him another heart, than formerly he had, he had the spirit of Government, a special ability to the discharge of the place that the Lord had called him unto: So it is with every Christian, he hath another heart, than ever before, and performes his duties from another power, than ever he did before,1 even by the power of Christ. So the Apostle professeth, He did not live, nor pray, nor preach. It was not abilities of nature which he had: not knowledg ⟨p. 121⟩of Art and learning, in which he excelled, by which he prayed: but it was the power and gracious presence of the Holy Spirit of Christ, that acted and carried out al those abilities, yea that spiritual power of grace he had to this work, either of praying or preaching. So 2. Cor. 13.3. If any man require a testimony of Christ speaking in me. And therefore its the reason, which he gives, why the things of God are known by beleevers, and not known to the greatest of the world. 1. Cor. 2.11. No man knowes the things of God, but the Spirit of God and we have not received the spirit of the world, but the spirit of God. Nay he comes yet lower, to the very expression of the words: Which things we speak, not in the words which mans wisdome teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth. And the Saints often find, and profess it, they are helped and carried beyond al the abilities they have, yea beyond al the power of al the grace they have. That look, as when we see a swadling Child left in his Cradle in a lower room, come againe, we find it laid in the highest loft or Chamber in the house, each man easily concludes: There was another power than that it had of it self, that conveyed it thither. So here: when the poor and ignorant amongst men; come to know and do the things that are spiritual; Eph. 2.10. His workmanship. They are inlightned and inabled, beyond al they had, or ever once apprehended; or could come into their own thoughts, there was a higher power, even the presence and assistance of a God, the Lord Jesus himself to help. Math. 11.25. I thank thee O Father, that thou hast revealed these things to babes: and adds, no man knowes the Father, but the Son. Therefore the Prophet begs, that he might not be left to his spirit: Psal. 143.10. Teach me the way to thee, thy Spirit is Good; q. d. My spirit is naught.
- 1Gal. 2.20.
