The Great Corruption of Subtle Self, Sermon 2
SERMON II.
Matthew 16, 24. If any man will come after me, let him deny himſelf, and take up his croſs, and follow me.
IT is not eaſie, but a matter of ſingular difficultie, ſincerely and honeſtly to follow Chriſt; As is clear from the high and hard Duties which Our Lord calls for in theſe Words, as ſimply, and indiſpenſably neceſſary to the following of Him, viz. That a man deny himſelf, and Willingly and Cheerfully take up his Croſs.
In this part of the Verſe (as we formerly ſhew) there are Four things contained. The 1. is the Great Work and Buſineſs that all that comes after Chriſt, or are Chriſts Diſciples are called to; and that is, to follow him. 2ly. There is the great Obſtruction that lyes in the way of this, or that hinders Believers in following of him; and that is a mans own ſelf, or felfiſhneſs. 3ly. There are the great qualifications, or duties which are required in, and from Chriſts Diſciples, in order to their following of him; they muſt deny themſelves, and take up their croſs, and ſo follow him; and theſe are helpful to one another, Self-denial helps to contented and chearfull cloſeing with the Croſs; and that again proves greatly helpful to the following of Chriſt. 4ly. There is the great neceſſity of theſe qualifications, or duties, to all and every one that would follow Chriſt; they are ſo indiſpenſably neceſſary, that there can be no following of him, without them; all that would follow him, muſt needs deny themſelves, and take up their croſs.
For making way to what we principally aim at, ſomewhat hath been ſpoken in ſhort, to the Firſt of theſe, and we ſhall not inſiſt further on it, eſpecially ſeing what reſpects the following of Chriſt may fall in afterward, amongſt the Duties that are required of theſe that come after him.
I ſh…ll therefore come to the Second thing viz. The great Obſtruction that hinders Believers in the following of Chriſt, whether we ſpeak with reſpect to the matter, or manner of this full and comprehenſive Dutie; which is (as we ſaid) a mans Self, or ſelfiſhneſs. Hence,
Obſerve, That a mans own ſelf, or ſelfiſhneſs is the great thing that obſtructs Chriſts followers, and hinders them in the following of him; This is that which makes them ſtumble, and fall in their way, ſo that if it be not in ſome meaſure removed, and rolled out of the way, there can be no following of Chriſt: This is clearly ſuppoſed in theſe Words; for if Self did not obſtruct in the following of Chriſt, he needed not have preſſed this great Dutie of Self-denial, as neceſſary to the following of him: But that we may the better clear this Doctrine, we ſhall take it up in theſe three Branches, which are manifeſtly ſuppoſed, and implyed in the Words, and in the Doctrine. 1. That there is ſuch a corruption as Self in, and among Chriſts own Diſciples, and Followers; for to them he ſpeaks, and on them, he preſſes this duty of ſelf-denyal, ſuppoſing that they, even they had ſuch a corruption in them, as Self, and might be too much ſwayed by it. 2ly. That this Corruption goes alongſt with, and waits upon Believers, in their following of Chriſt; nay, alas! it ſteals in upon them, and twiſts it ſelf in, into their moſt ſpirituall Duties; and therefore Chriſt knowing this, preſſes the ſtudy of Self-denial, in order to their right following of him, in the way of Duty. 3ly. That this Corruption (at leaſt where it bears ſwey) is the great thing that obſtructs, letts, and impeds Believers in their following of Chriſt, and in their Dutie, and therefore when he is giving Direction, how people may get him followed, he firſt propoſes the removal of Self out of the way, as the great thing that obſtructs following of him.
For clearing and confirming of the firſt of theſe, viz. That there is ſuch a Corruption as Self in, and among Chriſts own Diſciples, and Followers; there are three things that we ſhal ſpeak a little to. 1. What is to be underſtood here by a Mans Self, or what it is that we call Selfiſhneſs. 2ly. What makes it out, that this Corruption of Selfiſhneſs is in, and amongſt Believers, or Chriſts followers. 3ly Why the Lord ſuffers Believers to be ſo much kept at under with ſuch a groſs Corruption.
For clearing of the first of theſe, viz. What is to be underſtood here, by a mans Self, or what it is that we call Selfiſhneſſe, we ſhall offer theſe four things to be conſidered. 1. What uſeth to be called a Mans Self; In the General it comprehends what is in Man, whatſoever a man is of himſelf; but more particularly. 1. It is taken for that habitual Corruption of nature that it is in all and every one; which the Apoſtle calls Fleſh, Rom. 8.8 The old man, Epheſ. 4.22. The body of death, Rom. 7.24 And this is commonly called ſinfull or corrupt ſelf. 2ly. It is taken for a mans natural affection, and deſire to his own being and well-being, for his natural deſire to preſerve himſelf, and his deſire towards theſe things that tend thereunto, and to his well-being; for as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Epheſ. 5.29. No man ever yet hated his own fleſh, but nouriſheth it, and cheriſheth it; And we find this affection to our ſelves, made the meaſure of our love to our neighbour; and therefore the Scripture ſays, Thou ſhalt love thy neighbour as thy ſelf; This is called naturall Self. 3ly. It is taken for a mans Parts, Gifts, Moral Induements, Meekneſs, Patience, Fortitude, &c. Or his outward moral actions whereby he commends himſelf to others; Hence a man is ſaid to follow himſelf, when he walks according to his own wiſdom and counſell; and to truſt in himſelf, 2 Cor. 1.9. When he truſts in his own wiſdom, ſtrength, courage, moral blameleſſneſs, or the like; This is called morall ſelf. 4ly. It is taken for theſe Graces of of the Spirit, whereby a man is renewed after the image of God; and in this reſpect, a man is oppoſed to his own corrupt Self, Rom. 7.20. It is no more I that do it, but ſin that dwelleth in m…, and Gal. 2.20. I live, yet not I, but Chriſt liveth in me; And this may be called Spirituall, Sanctified, or Renewed-Self: now all theſe point at ſomething habitu…l in the man; but when we ſay that Self obſtructs in following of Chriſt; we underſtand it not ſimply, with reſpect to any of theſe laſt three, nay, not with reſpect to the firſt, at leaſt as more properly conſidered; for …t is not the having of Grace, and moral Parts, or gifts of Wiſdom and Learning, &c. Nor a mans natural affection, and deſire to his own being, and well-being, that (conſidered in themſelves) obſtruct his following of Chriſt; but the mans undue eſtimation of theſe, and their bearing the great ſway with him in his carriage: and though the corruption of nature does greatly obſtruct the following of Chriſt, and is the bitter root, out from which the Selfiſhneſs we here ſpeak of ſprings; yet it is ſomeway diſtinct from it, I mean, from that habitual, and (to ſpeak ſo) complex body of natural corruption in us, which (as we ſaid) is commonly called ſinfull or corrupt ſelf; but that which we ſpeak of, is a ſpecial propenſion and inclination in all men to miſcarry, by an inordinate reſpect to themſelves, and to theſe things that reſpect themſelves. Conſider, 2ly. That this Selfiſhneſs may be looked on, other more generally, or more particularly. 1. More generally, it may be looked on, as it goes thorow the whole converſation and actions of a man; and as it is in every man the ſame; for all men naturally have the ſame principle of Selfiſhneſs, or of inordinat reſpect to themſelves, ſwaying them in the whole of their converſation and actions. 2ly. More particularly, it may be looked on as it runs in ſuch and ſuch a channel, and eſpecially vents it ſelf in this or that particular way, or towards ſuch or ſuch a particular ſin, or idol; and in this reſpect it differs much amongſt men; the Selfiſhneſs of one man venting more in one way, and towards one thing, and the Selfiſhneſs of another man, venting more another way, and toward ſome other thing; and when we ſpeak of Selfiſhneſs here, it is not of the laſt, but of the firſ… of theſe that we mean; that is of that ſelfiſh propenſion, or inordinat reſpect to a mans Self that ſwayes a man in the whole of his converſation; and is the ſame in all men, whatever more ſpecial and particular wayes it has of venting it ſelf amongſt men: for though the ſins and evils whereunto men are particularly addicted be diverſe, yet the corruption that ſwayes to all theſe is one and the ſame. Conſider, 3ly. That this inordinat reſpect to a mans Self, that ſwayes him in all his actions, and makes him miſcarry in reference to himſelf, may be looked on again two wayes; either firſt, As it is oppoſed to the things of others, as when a man ſees to his own things, and not to the things of another, and this is called particularneſs, or particularity, and is expr…ſly prohibit by the Apoſtle, Philip. 2.4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man alſo on the things of others. 2ly. As it is oppoſed to God, and the things of God (in which ſenſe we principally ſpeak of it here;) For, whereas a man ſhould keep himſelf, and all that concerns himſelf in ſubordination to God, this inordinat reſpect to himſelf, makes him put himſelf, or ſomething in or belonging to himſelf, out of the right place, or out of that place of ſubordination to God, that he ſhould keep himſelf in; and makes him put himſelf in Gods place and room: So that from all this it may be clear, that by the Selfiſhneſs we here ſpeak of, we are not ſimply to underſtand that habitual corruption of nature, or this, and that particular Luſt, that this or that man may be more peculiarly …dicted to, nor a mans natural affection, and …eſire to himſelf; nor yet a mans parts, and …oral endewments; nor a mans Graces; but …at inordinat reſpect to a mans ſelf; which is, as we ſaid) the ſame in all men naturally, …d which ſwayes a man in the whole of his con…rſation, and makes a man put himſelf, or ſome…ing in himſelf, in Gods place and room: and …us it is taken in the Scriptures, where Living … our ſelf, 2 Cor. 5.15. Seeking our ſelves, Jere…iah 45.5. and pleaſing our ſelves, Rom. 15.1. …re ſpoken of mans ſelf, eſpecially, as theſe are …ppoſed unto living, to ſeeking of and pleaſing …od; it is not this, or that act, but to be ſway…d from this principle of inordinat reſpect to …ur ſelves, all which intimat an inordinat reſpect … this or that act, or to any thing we do, or …eddle with; ſo as in all that we do, to live to …ur Selves, or to have our Selves before us, in …e whole tract of our way, as the great and laſt …d that we aim at, and as the great and chief …inciple, that we are ſwayed by,
That Self is thus to be underſtood in theſe …ords, is clear; for 1. The ſin that Chriſt re…ukes Peter for, was not ſo much his love, either … his own, or his Maſters precious Life, ſimply, … it was his labouring to have Chriſt more ſway…d by reſpect to his life, than to his Duty. 2ly. …t is clear, that when Chriſt ſayes, except a …an deny himſelf, He means, except a man be …ead to every thing in himſelf, or that belongs …o Self, when, and as it comes in competition …ith him, he cannot be his diſciple; Therefore, …e find it commended in Levi, that he preferred God and his Duty to Him, to all relatio… Deut. 33. v. 9. He ſaid unto his Father and his Mother, I have not ſeen him, neither did he … knowledge his Brethren, nor knew his own Ch… dren; and Heb. 11.24, 25, 26. Moſes gets honourable teſtimony, for his preferring of Chri… and his dutie to him, and to his People, to the Honours, Pleaſures, and Riches of Phara… Court; and Paul ſayes, 2 Cor. 5.16. He kne… no man after the fleſh, 3ly. Chriſt explains … own meaning in the following words to the Tex… while he ſayes, He that ſaves his life ſhal loſe i… he condemns not a natural affection to, nor… moderat care for the preſervation of a mans li… but that inordinat reſpect to it, and care for … that obſtructs duty and ſervice to him, an… makes a man put his life out of the right place… and therefore, by a mans Self, or Selfiſhne… here, we underſtand (I ſay) that corruptio… whereby a man has ſuch an inordinat eſtimat… on of, or reſpect to himſelf, or any thing in, o… belonging to himſelf, as puts him, or it in th… place, or room of God, or, as puts the man Self uppermoſt, and makes all things ſubordina… to it. Conſider, 4ly. For further clearing wha… Self is, theſe Six things, wherein the Scriptur… holds forth this ſin, and wherein it vents o… ſhewes it ſelf. 1. It vents it ſelf, or kythes i… making a mans Self the chief end of his actions ſo that he lives to himſelf, and for himſelf, an… not to God, nor for God; and Self terminats al… his deſigns and endeavours; Thus it vented in Ephraim, who, Hoſ. 10. v. 1. is ſaid, to be a… empty vine, becauſe, He brought forth fruit to himſelf; that is ſelfiſhneſs, when all a mans ſtudy and care is to bring forth ſomething to himſelf; …nd herein Baruch was guilty alſo, as that chal…nge proves, Jerem. 45.5. Seekeſt thou great …ings for thy ſelf? ſeek them not; And compar…g 1 Cor. 2.2. Where the Apoſtle ſayes, I de…rmined to know nothing among you, ſave Chriſt, …nd him crucified, with 2 Cor. 4. v. 5. Where he yes, we preach not our ſelves, but Chriſt Jeſus the …ord; We find it clear, that a man who has any …hing in his eye, before and above Chriſt in his …ctions, is ſeeking himſelf, and not Chriſt, and …o makes himſelf his end; which is called Self-…eking. 2ly. Selfineſs vents it ſelf in becoming …he great principle and motive, that ingadges a man to do ſuch and ſuch a Dutie, or to abſtain …rom ſuch and ſuch a ſin; men, no doubt, may …o many commanded duties, and abſtain from …any ſins that are forbidden, meerly from a …rinciple of Self, and as being acted and moved …hereunto by Self: The Phariſees gave almes. …ut it was to be ſeen of men, and to have glory of …en, Matth. 6.2. To give alms, is a command…d Dutie, but their motive being Self, Chriſt …ayes of them, They have their reward: and how …rdinary is it for men that have no higher prin…iple than Self, to abſtain from ſuch or ſuch ſins, …ecauſe of the prejudice that thereby they may …ring to themſelves? yea, it ſeems that Jonah …imſelf, tho a truly, if not an eminently Godly …an, was too much ſwayed, moved, and acted …y ſelf, both in his refuſing at firſt to go to Nine…eh, and in his after diſcontent, when God …pon the repentance of that People, ſpared …hem, and did …ot the evil which he ſaid he …ould do unto them, he was ſinfully, and ſelf…ſ… ly afraid, leaſt he ſhould be counted a falſe Prophet; and therefore he ſays, Chap. 4. v. 2. Was not this my ſaying, when I was yet in my own countrey? therefore I fled into Tarſhiſh; This in Scripture is called Self-pleaſing, in oppoſition to which, it is ſaid, Rom. 15. v. 3. That Chriſt pleaſed not himſelf, &c. 3ly. This corruption of Self comes in, and vents it ſelf, when men make ſomething in themſelves, the object of their truſt and confidence, or that wherein thy truſt, and whereupon they ſtay, and lean themſelves; as when men, in undertaking any thing, lean to their own wiſdom and underſtanding; or in going about any dutie, lean to their own ſtrength; which we find Paul diſclaiming, while he ſayes, 2 Cor. 3.5. Not that we are ſufficient of our ſelves to think any thing as of our ſelves; or when men build their peace with God, and hopes of happineſs on any thing in themſelves, on their duties, or their own righteouſneſs; as the Phariſees did, who truſted in themſelves, that they were righteous, Luke 18. v. 9. And theſe ſpoken of, Rom. 10. v. 3. Who being ignorant of Gods righteouſneſs, went about to eſtabliſh their own, and would not ſubmit to the righteouſneſs of God; this is called Self-confidence: and indeed before people can be taken off this, and be made to truſt in the Living God, they muſt be made to deſpair in themſelves, as 2 Cor. 1.9. clears. 4ly. This corruption of Self ſhews it ſelf in this, when a man makes himſelf, or ſomething in himſelf, as his own wiſdom, will or affections, the great rule and ground of his Actions; when in this or that Action, he takes counſel from himſelf, and ſuffers Self to govern, guide and ſway him, in what he does; This is that which Peter was guilty of here, in the counſel that he gives to Chriſt, as Chriſt's anſwer clears; who tells him That he ſavoured not the thinge that be of God, but the things that be of men; And this theſe wicked people ſpoken of Jer. 44.17. Who rejected the Word of the Lord, were gu…lty of, in ſaying, We will certainly do whatſoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth; ſuch are called Self-willed, Tit. 1.7. and 2 Pet. 2.10. Preſumptuous are they, (ſayeth he) ſelf-willed; They will not be guided; nor ruled by the counſel, or will of God, but will needs follow their own carnal wiſdom, inclinations and affections, for attaining their ends. 5ly. This corrup…ion of Self, ſhews it ſelf, in too high eſtimation of a Mans Self, or of any thing that is in himſ…lf: and this is, either when a man has nothing in himſelf, to found that eſteem of himſelf upon, When (as the Apoſtle ſpeaks. Gal. 6.3. he thinks himſelf to be ſomething, when he is nothing; or, it is when there may be ſomething to found it upon, ſome excellent parts, moral vertues, ſpiritual gifts, or graces; yet he is more lifted up, and taken up with theſe, than he ſhould be; This is contrary to that direction of the Apoſtle, Rom. 12.3. For every man not to think of himſelf more highly than he ought to think, but to think ſoberly, according as God hath dealt to every man, the meaſure of Faith; The Apoſtle knew that everie man was much given to think too well of himſelf, and of his own Parts, Gifts, and Graces; and therfore he layes on this charge, That no man think of himſelf above what is meet; this is called Self-eſtimation, or Self-conceit; Yea; it may be rather called, and truly is, Self-deceit, as the Apoſtle clears, Gal. 6.3. where he ſayes, If man think himſelf ſomething, when he is nothin… he deceiveth himſelf, 6ly. This corruption of Sel… vents and ſhews it ſelf in this, when it is ſomething in a mans ſelf, whereupon his ſatisfactio… or diſatisfaction mainly depends, when he he… no other ground of content, or diſcontent, bu… ſomething in himſelf, when it goes well wit… himſelf, he is ſatisfied; but when any thing miſ-carries, as to himſelf, or thwarts, or goes croſ… to him, he is diſſatisfied, he is up or down and thinks it right or wrong with him, as he … forborn, or touched, in that which concern… himſelf: Thus it was with Jonah, Chap 4. and with Baruch, Jer. 45. v. 3.5. When he ſayes Wo is me now, for the Lord hath added grief to my ſorrow, &c. It ſeems to have been ſome apprehended prejudice, or haz…rd to Self, that ſo much affected him; and the Phariſees in gettin… the reward of eſteem and applauſe, when they gave almes, and made long prayers, were ſatisfied with that; This is called Self-love, 2 Tim 3.2. For it is that which m…inly affects men, as it goes up or down, well or ill with them, as to their own particular condition; ſo that, if they themſelves be well, if they be in proſperity, in eſteem and credit, they care not who be in adverſity, or under contempt and diſgrace; and if it be evil with themſelves, they regard not …ow it be with others.
But now we come to the 2d. Thing, viz. That this Corruption of Selfineſs is even in, and amongſt Believers, and the honeſt followers of Chriſt: I ſhall confirm it from theſe grounds. 1. From the remainder of corrupt nature that is …et in Chriſts followers, or Believers, for even …hey themſelves have much of unrenewed nature … them; and in as far as they are unrenewed, …hey cannot but ſeek themſelves in ſome reſpect, …nd in ſome meaſure, as well as others, and …ave much of this Corruption in them; the Apoſtle 2 Cor. 5.15. ſayes, They that live, ſhould …ot henceforth live unto themſelves, but unto him that died for them; Suppoſing that before, to wit, while they were ſpiritually dead, there was a living to themſelves wholly; and that now after they were made to l…ve Spiritually, yet in as far as they were unrenewed, there was alſo a living to themſelves. 2ly. The many warnings, and directions given to Believers, to guard againſt this ſin, plainly ſay, and prove, that there is ſuch a Corruption in, and amongſt them; ye ſee here, that Chriſt ſpeaking even to his own Diſciples, calls them to ſtudy Self-denyal, and Rom. 12.3. The Apoſtle preſſes, That no man think of himſelf above that which is meet. 3ly. The many reproofs given to Godly men for falling in this ſin, proves that there is ſomething of it, in, and amongſt them: It's the great thing the Lord reproves in Jonah, who was ſelfily (to ſpeak ſo) diſpleaſed and angry, both at the Lords ſpareing of Nineveh, and at the withering of the Gourd, Chap 4. So that the Lord ſayes to him, Does thou well to be angry Jonah? We ſee alſo the Lord reproves this ſin in Baruch, Jerem. 45.5. Seekeſt thou great things for thy ſelf? ſeek them not: And the ſad check that Chriſt giveth Peter here, when he ſayes to him, Get thee behind me, Satan, is a very clear proof of, as it is a ſore reproof for this ſi… that vented in the carnal counſel which he too… upon him to give our Lord. 4ly. The bitte… fruits of Selfineſs that are amongſt Believers, ar… ſad proofs, and confirmations of this truth, tha… there is much of this Corruption even in them Look to the ways wherein Self vents, and ſhews it ſelf, whether in making our ſelves our end, o… in our being moved, and acted by ſelf, as our greateſt principle and motive; how many inſtances, from the Old and New Teſtament might be brought of Godly perſons, that have failed in theſe? nay, we need no further proof than that which is within our ſelves, to bear witneſs to this; O! how much do men, in Preaching, Praying, and Living, act from, and to Self, Preach to themſelves, Pray to themſelves, and Live to themſelves?
For the 3d. thing which we propoſed to be ſpoken to, on this branch of the Doctrine, viz. Why does the Lord ſuffer Believers to be ſo much kept at under, with ſuch a groſs corruption, as Self, or Selfineſs? In anſwer to this queſtion, there are theſe few reaſons, or ends which we ſhall offer, The 1. whereof is, that he may make and keep humble his own Followers; that the continual ſight of this Corruption, and the ſtirrings of it, may put, and keep them in mind of the remainder of corrupt nature, that is yet in them, and may prevent dotting upon any Gifts, or Graces in themſelves; for this end then, viz. to diſcover what venom lurks in their nature, to prevent pride, and keep humble, there is ſomething of this vile corruption left, and ſuffered to ſtir them, ye ſee, 2 Cor. 12. A meſſenger of Satan is ſent to buffet Paul, leaſt he ſhould be puffed up, or exalted above meaſure, thorow the aboundance of revelations; Intimating thereby, that there was a hazard of being puffed up; and to prevent that, a meſſenger of Satan was ſent to buffet him; I will not ſay that this corruption of Self was the Scourge, that was ſent to humble him, but it is clear, that the quickneſſe, and livelineſſe of this corruption of Self, was the cauſe why this meſſenger of Satan was ſent to buffet him, in order to the keeping of him humble, and Self-denyed. A 2d. Reaſon, or end is, That the Lord thereby, may quicken his own People, to more lively exerciſe of their Grace, when they know that there is ſuch an enemy in their boſom, as no natural thing, or nothing in nature can ingadge and ſway them to fight againſt; For, what is there, I pray, in any man naturally to engadge him, or to help him to fight againſt Self? nay, nothing can do this, but ſupernatural ſpecial Grace; and even that will not do it to any good purpoſe, if it be not keept in lively exerciſe; and therefore (I ſay) that the Lord may quicken, and ſtir up Believers to the lively exerciſe of Grace, he ſuffers this Corruption to be in them, and to ſtir, and now and then to move more ſtrongly in them, that thereby he may neceſſitat them thereto; and no doubt, by fighting ſeriouſly againſt this Corruption, Believers not only evidence the truth of their Grace, but the livelieneſs of it, and much ſincere reſpect to God; as we ſee in Abrahams caſe, to whom the Lord ſays, Now I know that thou feareſt God, in that thou haſt not withheld thy ſon, thine on…y ſon from me; It was not ſimply the offering of his Son, but his only Son, the Son of his Love, that evidenced the greatneſs of his reſpect and love to God. A 3d. Reaſon, or End is, That God thereby may further, and promote the mortification of this Corruption, and make his People fall out with themſelves the more; he does not only ſuffer it to be in them but he will ſuffer it ſometimes to ſtir ſtrongly in them, to vex and trouble them, and to keep them at under, that they may be the more ſtirred up againſt it, and made the more to ſtudy the mortification of it; though it be in them, yet if it lay quiet, and did never ſtir, and move ſtrongly to the obſtructing of them in their following of Chriſt, it might get leave to live in them, without ſuch vigorous oppoſition; but when it moves ſtrongly, and ſtands up in the Believers face, and comes in upon him in all duties, ſeeking to corrupt them; It cannot but provock him the more againſt it, and ſtir him up more ſeriouſly to endeavour the mortification of it: and therefore we find, that our Lord Jeſus would have Believers taking occaſion from the ſtirring of their corruption to fall on it, and to ſeek to have the v…ry life of it taken away, when he ſayes, Matth. 18.8. If thy right hand, or thy right foot offend thee, cut them off; or, if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee; And we ſee, that the more Paul is buffeted, he is the more in Prayer. 2 Cor. 12. And that by the out-breaking of ſin among the Corinthians, they are ſtirred up to a greater indignation, and revenge againſt it, than before. 2 Cor. 7.11. A 4th Reaſon is, That God may teach his People to know how little they are oblidged to themſelves, and how much they …re oblidged to him, for any good they get done; and O! but it be needful for them, to learn this leſſon well, ſeing we are naturally ſtrongly inclined to truſt in, and lean to our ſelves; and that this inclination is not ſoon ſubdued in us; yea, Chriſt, and his Grace (to ſpeak ſo) get it not fully ſubdued here: however Believers, by the being, and ſtrong ſtirring of Self in them, to the obſtructing them in their following of Chriſt, may ſee how much they are oblidged to God, and to the power of his Grace, when they are helped to do any thing that is ſpiritually good, and to follow their dutie aright; and may there from be excited to make more uſe of Chriſt, and to truſt him more for making his Grace ſufficient for them, as it's ſa…d to Paul, 2 Cor 12. v. 9.10. My grace is ſufficient for thee, for my ſtrength is made perfect in weakneſs; whereupon he ſays, most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, for when I am weak, then am I ſtrong; when he was denyed to, and out of conceit with himſelf; and all Self-ſufficiencie; then by looking to Chriſt, and truſting him, he was made ſtrong.
We ſhall now come to the Uſes of the Doctrine, The firſt whereof is, for information, to let us ſee that it is the natural inclination of us all, to be more ſwayed with reſpect to our ſelves, than with reſpect to God; for if this be true of the followers of Chriſt, how much more muſt it hold true of all others, who are not really his followers, of ſuch Whoſe God is their belly, whoſe glory, is their ſhame, and who mind earthly things; as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Philip. 3.19 In ſpeaking to th… Uſe, I ſhall a little touch at theſe two things, What are the main things that inordinat reſpe… to a mans Self incline, and leads him to; 2ly Ho… this corruption may be diſcerned, and taken up.
For the firſt of theſe, I ſhall not ſpeak of all mans predominant Luſts, or Idols, that inord… nat reſpect to himſelf inclines and leads him to but of ſome of the main things that it ſwayes him unto; and 1. It leads, or ſwayes a man to ſeek, to be ſomething in the World (this is a main Idol…) as to be ri…h, or to be learned, or to be great, and honourable in the world; This we ſee in Baruch, Jerem. 45.5. who ſought great things for himſelf. 2ly. As it le…ds and ſwayes a man to ſeek to be ſomething in the world, ſo it leads, and ſwayes hi… to ſeek to be eſteemed ſomething; which is another great Idol, that Self inclines to; and this we find to be the great thing that Paul condemns in the Preachers at Corinth… th… they vented their Eloquence, and Gift, to the end that they might be much eſteemed of, and might be called great men, or great Preachers; and this is that which Chriſt condemned in the Phariſees, that they juſtified themſelves before men, and ſought the eſteem, applauſe and teſtimony of men, while as they did not approve their hearts to G…d; and indeed there is not any one thing that inordinat reſpect to Self, doth readily ſwey men more to than this. 3ly. Though a man cannot reach either of theſe, to be ſomething, or to be eſteemed ſomething in the world; yet then Self will ſwey a man at laſt, to think ſomething of himſelf, when he cannot get eſteem from others, or when the eſteem others has had of him is loſt; yet, even then this Corruption can make that a ground whereupon to put a man to think ſomething of himſelf; when one Idol is broken, it makes him ſet up another; yea, it may be to think the more of himſelf, becauſe others think little of him: yea, his eſteem of himſelf may flow, not ſo much from what is external, as from what is internal and ſpiritual, and lyes betwixt God and him, and ſo it becomes the more dangerous; we find that even Paul was in ſome hazard of an undue eſteem of himſelf, upon the account of what was between God and him. 2. Cor 12. 4ly. Inordinat reſpect to ſelf, leads a man to ſtudy to promote, and uphold all theſe; that is, his being ſomething, his being eſteemed ſomething, and his own eſtimation of himſelf as ſomething, even when he is at a loſs in that amongſt others; and this comes in as a mids, or mean unto theſe, as the end; It makes a man leave nothing undone, that may contribute any thing unto theſe; and will ſuffer him to do nothing that may be oppoſite, or croſs to theſe: ye ſee, 1 Cor. 13.3. how far Self will go, in ſeeking to maintain an eſteem amongſt others, or a mans eſteem of himſelf; it will even put him to give his body to be burn'd; and we ſee what the Apoſtle ſays, Gal. 6.12. Of falſe Teachers, that loved their own outward eaſe, peace, pleaſure, and eſtimation ſo well, that for preventing the breach, and interruption thereof, by perſecution, and that they might be in eſteem, (eſpecially with the Jewes) They urged, and preſſed circumciſion; As many (ſayes he) as deſire to make a fair ſhew in the fleſh, they conſtrain you to be circumciſed, only leaſt they ſhould ſuffer perſecution for the croſs of Chriſt: So then the moſt part of a mans actions, in ſo far as he is Selfie, are directed to one, or all of theſe ends; either to be ſomething, or to be eſteemed ſomething, or to keep up an eſtimation of himſelf, when the other two fail.
For the 2d. thing, viz How this Corruption may be diſcerned, or taken up? ye may conſider theſe things for helping to it. 1. If men be doing the Duties they ſhould do without reſpect to theſe ends, or without expectation of coming to be ſomething in the world, or of credit and eſtimation, by following of them, yea, with an expectation of the contrary, even of the Croſs of Chriſt in following them; This is an evidence that Self carries not the ſwey; for when it bears the ſwey, Duties are followed with reſpect to theſe Selfie ends, and are deſerted and forſaken, when theſe ends are not attainable by them: Our Lord ſays, John 6.26. To ſome that followed him, Ye ſeek me not becauſe ye ſaw the miracles, but becauſe ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled; As if he had ſaid, if ye had not gotten ſome temporal good by following of me, ye would not have followed me; and therefore when he preaches of Bread of another nature, than that which nouriſheth the Body, they forſook him: we may alſo ſee ſomewhat of it in Jonah, who fearing to loſe his credit, fled to Tarſhiſh, whereas, if there had been ground to have expected reput and credit, he had readily been as forward as any to go to Ninieveh on Gods call. 2ly. When things that concern Gods honour equally; or that are in themſelves equally good, are not ſo equally pleaſing, & acceptable to us …ecauſe of ſome circumſtances accompanying …hem, wherein Self may be concerned; that ſays, that Self bears much ſwey in us; as for inſtance, when God does good, and brings glory to himſelf, in effectuating ſome good works, by ſuch and ſuch an inſtrument; if there follow upon this, ſecret envy, and emulation in us, and no thankfulneſs to God, becauſe it is not done by us, or becauſe we have no hand in it, then certainly Se…f bears ſwey in us, as it did in Joſhuah, who was angry at Eldad and Medad, their Propheſieing in the Camp, he would have had none equ…lled with, let be preferred to his Maſter Moſes, becauſe that tended, as he thought, to derogat from his own reſpect and reput; ſingle regard to Gods being glor…fied in this, or that work, will make us rejoyce, whenſoever, and by whomſoever it is done. A 3d way to diſcern when Self ſweyes, is by the carnal anxiety, perplexity, grief, and diſquietneſs, (which are the effects and fruits of it) that men have, when they miſs their ſelfy end: we have had, it's very probable, ſome expectation of peace, and of the thriving and proſpering of Gods Work; and that it would have brought Miniſters and Profeſſors in eſtimation; try what fruit and effect follows our diſappointment; if it be carnal anxiety, and diſquietneſs, it ſays, Self hes born much ſway with us; as we ſee it did with Baruch, by this very effect and fruit of it. Jer. 45.3.5. He cryes, Wo is me, for the Lord hath added grief to my ſorrow, I fainted in my ſighing, and found no reſt; It might have been thought, that this was ſome holy grief, and affectedneſs of Soul, for the miſeries of Jeruſalem; But the Lords anſwer, Seeks thou great things for thy ſelf, ſhews, that the ground of his ſorrow was more Selfie, and that his diſqu…etnsſs, was but a Selfie diſquietneſs in a great meaſure, at leaſt; becauſe he was like to be diſappointed of the great things he expected: We had need to conſider well, what the nature of our grief is, and on what grounds we are diſquieted in ſad times; whether it be mainly, for ſomething that concerns our ſelves, or for that which concerns the work, and people of God. 4ly. It may be diſcerned when ſelf bears ſwey, by a willingneſs, and earneſtneſs to have any thing that may ſerve theſe ends, we ſpoke of, followed forth; as when perſons would have their good ſpoken of, & commended: & any evil that may mar their to much coveted eſteem covered; In oppoſition to which the Apoſtle ſays, 2 Cor. 12.6. I forbear least any man ſhould think of me above that which he ſeeth me to be; Being a ſelf-denyed man, as he, keept in (as it were) and covered the good which he had; ſo the ſelfie man cares not how many know the good that is in him, nay, he is deſirous, that many may know of it. 5ly. It may be diſcerned, when Self ſwayes; if men would obſerve their thoughts, contryvances, projects and deſigns, it will readily be found, that there are many of them imaginary and vain; examine but the current of them, and it will be found, that they are taken up with that which is pleaſant, or profitable to Self: and alas! the great ſcope of the moſt of People, in all their deſigns, and endeavours, yea, in all they do, or ſay, is Self; And as Solomon ſays, Eccleſ. 6.7. All the labour of a man is for his mouth; So we may ſay, that our back, or belly, our credit, or name, our eaſe, or pleaſure, or one thing or other, concerning Self, takes us up, and that all our labour is ſpent in ſerving of it; this is the Fruit, the bitter Fruit of that Corruption that dwelleth in us.
The 2d. Uſe ſerves to humble all fleſh, that there is ſuch a corrupt principle in us: And firſt, If there be ſuch ſelfiſhneſs, and oppoſition to God, even amongſt Chriſts followers, then what ever their parts, and gifts be, what ever their graces, and nearneſs to God be, it becomes all of them to be humble, when they think on this ſinful inclination, that is in them, to ſet up themſelves in Gods place, and to get up, as it were, into his Chair; and that ye may ſtand in awe, and be humbled, when ye think on this Corruption; conſider what things it has in it; as 1. An horrible guiltineſs, which might fill us with fear, and terror, and put us to tremble; there is no guilt like it in other Corruptions, this is the very height of guiltineſſe, being Idolatrie, a mans putting himſelf where God ſhould be; and accordingly, all the heavy threatnings, and plagues of God, becauſe of Idolatrie, belong to it. 2ly That this is not a ſimple act of Idolatry, as the making, and the worſhipping of the Calf in the Wilderneſs was, but it is an habitual continued tract of Idolatrie; It is our very nature, to be Idolatrous this way; and we are as much; and as often Idolatrous, as we are only, or mainly for our ſelves, and ſwayed by Self; yea, it goes alongſt the whole courſe of our life; and if one Idolatrous Act ſhould humble us, much more ſhould a tract of Idolatry, and an idolatrous way, humble us. 3ly. That thi… is not only a ſin, and a great ſin in it ſelf, bu… the Seed alſo, and Root of other Sins, for it as far as our actions are ſinful, they ſpring from the fleſh, and particularly from this Root of ſelfineſs, as the Apoſtle ſhews, 2 Tim. 3.2. When once men become lovers of themſelves; they are ready to become covetous, boasters, proud, blaſphemous, diſobedient to parents, unthankfull, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, falſe accuſers, incontinent, fierce, deſpiſers of theſe that are good, traitors, headie, high-minded, lovers of pleaſures more than lovers of God; All the Legions and Armies of Sins, follow this Sin. 4ly. It is the ſin that moſt of all blaſts our Duties, and provocks God to wrath and jealouſie, whatever Ephraim did, was blaſted by it, Hoſea. 10.1. He was but an empty vine, bringing forth fruit to himſelf; and James ſays, Chap. 4.3. Ye ask and receive not, becauſe ye ask amiſs, to conſume it upon your lusts; Ye would have ſome Parts, or Gifts, that ye may be eſteemed; or would be born thorow in ſuch and ſuch a tryal, that ye may not be aſhamed before men; but ſuch ſelfie ends blaſt all, and keep us from receiving, when we ask; and beſides, (I ſay) his ſin provocks God to wrath and jealouſie above any ſin, as that which eminently robes him of his Glory more than any other ſin doth; This provocks him to blaſt, break in pieces, and to pour our his fury like fire on People. 2ly. If this ſhould be ground of humiliation to Chriſts followers; then it ſhould be ſo to others alſo; Mark tells us, Chap. 8.34. That Chriſt preached this Doctrine of Self-denial, not only to his Diſciples, but to the Multitude alſo; as knowing well that they were under the …ower of this corruption, of inordinat Self-re…pect; which expoſed them to the hazard of …eing burnt in the fire of Gods jealouſie: Therefore it concerns you all, to lay this ſin to heart, and to be humble; O! ſtand in awe to come in competition with God, do we (as the Apoſtle ſays) provock him to jealouſie? are we ſtronger than he? ſure we are not: therefore take warning to walk ſoftly, and humbly before him.