the Holy Ghost, conviction of the excellency and glory of the things
that are of the Spirit of God, and so inflameth the heart with more
fervent desires in this duty of prayer; for there is a supernatural
excellency in the things that are of the Spirit: "For if the
ministration of death (to which the Pharisee adhered), written and
engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel
could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his
countenance, which glory was to be done away; how shall not the
ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? For if the
ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the
ministration of righteousness exceed in glory: for even that which
was made glorious hath no glory in this respect, by reason of the
glory that excelleth;" 2 Cor. iii. 7-10. And the Spirit of God
sheweth, at least, some things of that excellent glory of them to the
understanding that it enlighteneth; Eph. i. 17-19.

3. The spiritually enlightened understanding hath also thereby
received knowledge, that these excellent supernatural things of the
Spirit are given by covenant in Christ to those that love God, and
are beloved of him. "Now we have received," says Paul, "not the
spirit of the world (that the Pharisee had), but the Spirit which is
of God, that we make know the things that are freely given to us of
God;" 1 Cor. ii. 12. And this knowledge, that the things of the
Spirit of God are freely given to us of God, puts yet a greater edge,
more vigour, and yet further confidence, into the heart to ask for
what is mine by gift, by a free gift of God in his Son. But all
these things the poor Pharisee was an utter stranger to; he knew not
the Spirit, nor the things of the Spirit, and therefore must neglect
faith, judgment, and the love of God, Matt. xxiii. 23; Luke xi. 42,
and follow himself only, as to his sense, feeling, reason, and carnal