Another Spirit

If godly men are of another spirit, and this is their commendation; why then should any account it be a dishonor to be singular from the world? Singularity is cast upon God's servants as their disgrace, but certainly it is their glory. They are singular and their ways are singular, it is true, and they avow it, they rejoice in it, and bless God for it. It is impossible but that it should be so for they are of another spirit, a peculiar people, separated from the world, set apart for God. Their separation is a wonderful separation, Exodus 33:16: "So shall we be separated," says Moses, "I and Thy people, from all the people that are on the face of the earth." The word is, in the original, "We shall be wonderfully separated." No marvel then, though their singularity be such as the world, who knows not their principles, wonders at it. Their ways are different from other men, aye; that is true indeed, who can think otherwise? Their principles, their estates, their dignities, and their hopes are raised higher than other men's. Would Saul have been offended if his former acquaintance had complained, "Oh, now, Saul, he minds other things, goes on in other ways, lives after another fashion than we do"? Aye, that is true indeed, for his condition is altered; his estate is raised higher than yours. He has another spirit.

To complain that God's servants are singular from others is as if you should complain that pearls are more glistening than dirt and gravel. Their way, their lives, are singular. Why, how would you have them live? Would you have them live according to the common course of the world? They cannot, for they have not received the spirit of the world, but another spirit.

(Taken from pp. 81-82 in The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit, by Jeremiah Burroughs)