Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

First, I say it will make you to do more then you could ¹do by nature, that is it puts another manner of strength in you by which you are able to do those things which before you were not able to do: As for example, it will work in you a Patience above a natural Patience; This we see in Christ himself when he was crucified, he opened not his mouth: he was like a Lamb; That is he had more then natural patience: also this is true in Paul, Peter, and the rest of the Saints; also it works in us love above a natural love, therefore it was said that Christ was full of love, and had compassion on the multitude. Again it works joy in a man beyond natural joy; this we see in Paul and Silas, when they were in prison, they sang for joy. And the Disciples in Acts 4. Rejoiced that ²they were thought worthy to suffer for Christ. Again it works in a man boldness, above a natural boldness, and therefore it is said in Acts 4. That they preached the word with ³great boldness; That is with a boldness above a natural boldness. And so Luther he was endued with a Spirit of boldness: else he would never have been so bold in the defence of the Truth, if he had not had another spirit in him. Again it works in a man wisdom above a natural ⟨p. 64⟩wisdom, and therefore 1 Sam. 18. it is said of David that ⁴the Spirit of the Lord was with him, therefore Saul was afraid of him; And so Abimelech feared Abraham because he saw a great measure of wisdom and discretion in him: Again it works in a man strength above a natural strength, because to the strength of nature they have another added; Again it will make you see above a natural sight; Therefore it is said they shall not need to teach one another, but they shall be all taught of God: That is, they shall see into the excellency that is in God. Therefore examine your selves whether you have the Spirit or no, by this, for if you have the sanctifying Spirit then you shall be able to keep down lusts, to have power and ability to sanctify the Sabbath, power to pray, power to hear, power to confer, power to meditate, power to love, power to obey all above nature; and a power to forsake life and liberty, riches and honour, pleasure and all things, which no man will do, except he have the Spirit.