The Great Corruption of Subtle Self, Sermon 3

The Great Corruption of Subtle Self · Sermon 3

p. 43SERMON III.

Matth, 16. Verſe 24. If any man will come after me, let him deny himſelf, and take up his croſs and follow me.

IT is become ſinfully natural to all the children of men, to exalt and lift up themſelves in their own eſteem and affection, above all things beſides, to ſet Self upon the Throne in their hearts, and to make all other things ſubſervient to it; yea, not only muſt all other Idols bow down before, and do homage unto this great Idol Self, (they being deſired, and affected, not ſo much for themſelves, as in a ſubſerviencie to it) but alas! the great and glorious God himſelf alſo, is, by them made to ſtand (as it were) at it's footſtool, and it ſet above him, and preferred to him; ſo that we may ſay, they muſt needs be very blind, who ſee not, that amongſt all the deteſtable things that the hearts of men are ſet upon, and which p. 44Gods Soul hates, this is the moſt hateful at deteſtable.

We ſhew you what is the Scope of the Words; our Lord Jeſus obſerving that Peter counſel to him, and the offence which he therin lay'd before him, proceeded from that bitt… root of inordinat reſpect to himſelf, who, fo… ſeeing his own hazard, in his Maſters, do… thereupon tempt him, to reſpect his own ea… and freedom from trouble, more than his duty (I ſay) our Lord obſerving this, and knowin… how great, and common an evil this is in al… men, and how much of it there is, even in, an… amongſt his own followers, after he hath rebuked Peter, he teaches all that will come after him this great Leſſon, That they muſt deny themſelves, and take up their croſs, and follow him: from which we Obſerved, That Self or Selfineſs, is the great thing that obſtructs, lets and impeds believers, in their following of Christ; And that we might ſpeak the more clearly, and diſtinctly to this Doctrine, we took it up in theſe three Branches. 1. That there is ſuch a Corruption as Self, in and among Chriſts own Diſciples. 2ly. That this Corruption comes in, inſinuats it ſelf upon, and goes alongſt with Believers, in their following of Chriſt, and their Dutie. 3ly. That this Corruption is the great thing that obſtructs Believers in their following of Chriſt, and their dutie: we have already ſpoken unto the firſt of theſe.

We now come to ſpeak of the 2d. viz. That this Corruption of Self, or ſelfineſs comes in, inſinuats it ſelf upon, and goes alongſt with Believers, in their following of Chriſt, and of their duty; It is not only the great principle that the p. 45corrupt wicked world walks by, and that Believ…rs themſelves are too much ſweyed, by in their …atural and civil actions (though even in theſe …hey ſhould live to Chriſt, and not to themſelves;) …ut further it is that which too much ſweys them …ven in theſe actions, and duties which concern …hem more properly and immediately, as Chri…ians, and in their following of Chriſt; it was …at which ſweyed Peter here, who, though he …as a man whom Chriſt had choſen, and called …ut of the world, and who had become one of …is Diſciples and Followers, yea, who had, for … conſiderable time followed, and was now fol…owing him, and who, with-all had but juſt now …iven a notable Teſtimony to Chriſt; yet notwithſtanding of all this, he ſo much favours of the fleſh, and this corruption of inordinat re…ect to himſelf doth ſo far inſinuate upon him, …nd doth ſo much ſway him, that he takes upon …im, to diſwade and keep back our Lord Jeſus, …rom the greateſt and moſt concerning work, …o the Glory of God, and Salvation of Sinners, …hat ever was upon earth, even from ſuffering, and, laying down his life, as a Price of Redemption for his elect People; but this truth is not only clear f om this inſtance of Peter, but is plainly ſuppoſed, and implyed in this great Leſſon, that Chriſt teaches his Diſciples, when he ſayes, Let a man deny himſelf, and take up his Croſs, and follow me, inſinuating thereby, that this corruption comes in upon men, and ſtands in their way in following of him.

For further clearing of this Branch of the Doctrine, there are two things which I ſhall ſpeak a little to. 1. To ſome particular inſtances, ſhewing p. 46wherein this Corruption of Self comes in, an inſinuates it ſelf upon men, and even upon Believers. 2dly. I ſhall ſhew you, how it comes t… paſs, and whence it proceeds, that this Corruption doth ſo inſinuat it ſelf upon them, an… gers footing in them, in all that they do.

For the first of theſe, there are many particular inſtances, that may be given of Se…fs coming in upon men, and even upon Believers, in following their Duty, and that either more diſcernably, and palpably, or more ſecretly, and ſubtilly; but we ſhall touch upon theſe few, as namely. 1. In Peoples cloſing with, and making uſe of Chriſt by Faith, that is a Duty upon which all other Duties depend, and here Self comes in to obſtruct this greatly. For, 1. If we look to our Juſtification before God, which is only by Faith, cloſing with, and reſting upon Chriſts Righteouſneſs, and upon nothing in our ſelves, we will find, that Self endeavours to obſtruct this; for we are keeped back from cloſing with, and reſting upon Chriſts Righteouſneſs, for Juſtification, from an inordinat reſpect to, and confidence in our own Righteouſneſs; as is clear from, Rom. 10.3. Where it is ſaid of the zealous Jews, that being ignorant of Gods righteouſneſs, and going about to eſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs, they did not ſubmit to the righteouſneſs of God; It was reſpect to their own Righteouſneſſe, and their ſolicitude, how to eſtabliſh that which keeped them from ſubmitting to Chriſts Righteouſneſs, 2dly. If we look to the Believers uſe-making of Chriſt by Faith, after Juſtification, and here Self ſeeks to come in, ſeeking to ſhare, and partake with Faith; it comes p. 47in and greatly obſtructs their uſe-making of him by Faith, for Light, Life and Strength, to inable for Dutie, and for the ſupply of their wants, and leads them in into themſelves for theſe; yea, it comes in, and greatly obſtructs their uſe makeing of him, for peace and acceptance with God, and in order thereunto, (ſometimes at leaſt) it makes them ſeek to commend themſelves to God, either by ſome good internal qualification, or by their external Duties, and their tender, and holy walk: And therefore in oppoſition to this, we find, that as the Apoſtle counted all his parts, gifts, external priviledges, and blameleſſneſs before his Converſion, to be but loſs, not only uſeleſs, but prejudicial and hurtful in the matter of Juſtification before God; So likewiſe doth he account his moſt ſpiritual duties, after Converſ… on; and ſeeks not by them, to commend himſelf to God, as expecting favour and acceptance with him, upon their account, as is clear, from Philip. 3.7, 8, 9. Where ſpeaking in reference to the time paſt, he ſayes, v. 7. What things were gain to me, theſe I counted loſs for Chriſt; and as to the time preſent, and even with reſpect to his Graces, and ſpiritual Duties, he ſayes, v. 8. Yea, doubtleſs I count all things but loſs, for the excellencie of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus my Lord, that I may be found in him, not having my own righteouſneſs (whether before, or after Converſion) which is according to the Law, &c. Where it is plainly his Scope and Deſign, to ſhew that as he would reſt on none of thoſe, as to the founding of his peace and acceptance before God; ſo he found in ſome reſpect, what he had of theſe, through a remainder of this woful Self, a great obſtruction to him, in his uſe-making of Chriſt… Righteouſneſs for this end, and was thereby in ſo far to count them to be but loſs. 2ly. This may be inſtructed, not only in the matter o… Faith, but in all our actions, and in the whole of our Converſation, and in all thoſe actions, wherein we are called to follow Chriſt dayly, in which Self inſinuats, even upon Believ…rs; which is mainly pointed at in the Words: I ſhall therefore inſtance it, Firſt, More generally, in all that men do orforbear th…s will be found to ſwey them, and, alas! frequently to have too much influence on Believers, ſetting them on to, or deterring them from ſuch and ſuch a thing; It did ſtrongly inſinuat upon Peter, in theſe Four actions of his. 1. In his moſt unſound, and unſeaſonable counſel to Chriſt here. 2ly, in his raſh undertaking, That though all men ſhould be offended in him, yet he ſhould never be offended. 3ly. In his foul Act of denying Chriſt, notwithſtanding of his fair undertaking. 4ly. In his diſſembling mentioned, Gal. 2. For before (ſayeth Paul) that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew, and ſeparated himſelf, fearing them which were of the circumciſion; All theſe his miſcarriages, no doubt, did proceed from this bitter root of Self; It was inordinat reſpect to himſelf, that made him ſuggeſt ſuch an ſinful, and impertinent advice to his Maſter; It was his Self-confidence, that made him undertake ſo raſhly, and it was fear of the loſs of his life, and inordinat Self-love to his own preſervation, that moved him to deny Chriſt, as it was fear of the loſs of Self-eſteem amongſt them of the circumciſion, that p. 49moved him to diſſemble; ſo that whether a man …ndertake the doing of Dutie, or be deterred …om it, this Corruption of Self, ſeeks to inſinuat …n the Perſon, to move and ſwey him this way, …r that. 2ly. This will be yet more clear, if we …ok on Chriſtian Duties more particularly; O! …ow very much does Self inſinuat upon people, …nd bear ſwey with them, in theſe? Conſider it … the dutie of Prayer, and ye will ſee what ſwey …t bears there, it's ſaid by James Chap. 4. v. 3. …e aſk, and ye receive not, becauſe ye ask amiſs, to …o conſum it on your luſts; They had corrupt ſelfie …nds before them, in their asking, the gratifying …f ſome one Luſt or other, by which they were …ept from receiving of that which they asked; …ok to it in Preaching; ah! how often doth …elf bear ſwey with Miniſters in that Duty? the …poſtle tells us, Philip. 1.11. That ſome indeed …each Chriſt, even of envy and ſtrife; out of … ſinful emulation, and ſelf deſire, to be as much …ſpected and eſteemed of, as the Apoſtle him…f was. Look to it in faſting and mourning, … in feaſting and thanksgiving; how much Self …ars ſwey in theſe high duties; ye may ſee what … ſpoken to this purpoſe, Zach. 7.5.6. When … faſted (ſaith the Lord …here) in the fifth and …enth monethmonth, even theſe ſeventy years, did ye at …l faſt unto me, even unto me? and when ye did …t, and when ye did drink, did ye not eat for your …ves, and drink for your ſelves? Ye may look to … in the matter of Repentance, Humiliation and …eeping in which this Corruption of Self will be …und to bear a great ſwey; wicked Ahab humbled …imſelf, being no doubt, moved thereunto, from … Selfie principle; and ye ſ…e, comparing Gen. p. 5027. with Heb. 12. that Eſau cryes and w… for the bleſſing, being alſo, no doubt, mo… thereunto, from this principle of Self; And … lievers themſelves may too much be influen… by Self, in that exerciſe. In ſhort, there is … any particular Chriſtian Duty, for the ma… which Self may not ſwey people in; and wh… in it may not (at times at leaſt) bear too m… ſwey (as I juſt now ſaid) even in Believ… 3ly. You may lock to it in the matter of ſuf… ing, wherein we ſhould be moſt Self-deny… and yet even in that, this Corruption of Selfi… will inſinuat it ſelf upon us, either to diſ… us from ſuffering, and thus it prevailed w… Peter here, who, forſeeing his own hazard in … Maſters, ſtudies to diſwade him (if he coul… from ſuffering; yea, it was this that prevai… with him afterward to deny Chriſt; or ot… ways to engade us in, and to put us upon ſuf… ing for ſome by reſpect, or ſelfie end; yea … may prevail ſo far with a man, as to move h… to give his body to be burned, in a good cauſe… the matter, though he be one that wants cha… ty, or a ſincere principle of love to Chriſt; T… is clearly implyed, in what the Apoſtle ſa… 1 Cor. 13.3. Though I give my body to be burn… and want charity, it profiteth nothing. 4ly. … may notice it in the tract of a mans imaginatio… thoughts, affections, deſires and deſigns, in … which Self comes in, as the great Idol of … heart, and ſweys men; O! what Selfie ima… nations, thoughts, aff…ctions, deſires, and d… ſigns are men filled with? and how much do th… ſe…k to pleaſe themſelves in their own fanci… and imaginations? how do their minds purſ… p. 51vanity? and how much do their thoughts and …eſires run out upon, and after meer vanities? …nd all in order to ſome piece of ſatisfaction to …elf; So that we may ſay with Solomon, Eccleſ. 6.…. Better is the ſight of the eye, than the wandring … the deſire, or the walking of the Soul, as the …ord is, that is, it is better for a man to hold …imſelf ſatisfied with what he preſently injoyeth, …an to wearie himſelf with roaving thoughts a…out, or extravagant and unſatiable deſires after …heſe things which he hath not: and it ſeems, …hat the two Diſciples who were going to Emaus, …hen they ſaid concerning Chriſt, Luke 24.21. …e truſted that it had been he, which ſhould have …deemed Iſrael; wanted not ſome carnal Selfie-…preſentation of him, and of the nature of his …ingdom, in their minds. 5ly. If we look to it, … the moſt heavenly, ſpiritual frame and diſpo…tion of Believers in Duty, ye will find, that …is Corruption intrudes it ſelf upon them, even …n that; we ſee in the fore-going words, that …eter was in a very good Frame, when he gives …ch a notable teſtimony to Chriſt, and yet this wil follows hard upon the back of it, in the car…al and ſelfie advice that he gives him: we ſee …kewiſe, 2 Cor. 12. when Paul is caught up to …e third Heavens, he is in hazard of being exalt…d above meaſure, by this Self. We need not …nſiſt much further in this; if we look to Adam, …nd Eve in their perfect State, we will find, that …he tentation to inordinat Self-love, Self-ſeeking …nd Self-pleaſing did much prevail with them, to …loſe with Satans ſuggeſtions, when he had told …hem, That they ſhould not ſurely die, but ſhould …e as Gods, knowing good and evil; and when they p. 52ſaw the fruit was good to make one wiſe, they d… take and eat of it; I ſhall not debate, let be d… termine, what was the firſt ſinful ſtep in the fall, but it ſeems evident, that Selfineſs, or …: inordinat reſpect to Self, inſinuating it ſelf up… them, had a great hand in it; what wonder th… is it, that this Corruption bears ſo much ſwey … all their Poſterity?

I come now to the 2d thing propoſed, vi… To ſhew how it comes to paſs, or whence it pr… ceeds, that this Corruption inſinuats it ſelf eaſily upon us, and ſwayeth us ſo very much all that we go about, beyond what any other co… ruption readily doth? In order to the cleari… of which, there are three things to be conſide… ed. 1. What is the nature of this ſin of Sel… neſs. 2dly. What is the way that it takes to … gyre, and bear in it ſelf upon us, in all that … do. 3dly. We would conſider the ſtrong inc… nation and propenſion that is in our nature to a… mit of, and to cheriſh this corrupt Self.

As for the firſt, to wit, the nature of this ſ… I ſhall not inſiſt upon it here, further than … make ſome diſcovery of it's deceitfulneſs in the… four, 1. In it's counterfeiting grace. 2ly. In i… ſhewing it ſelf, and appearing like unto Conſo… ence. 3ly, In it's pretending ſome good en… for what it ſollicites to, 4ly. In it's palliatin… and covering it ſelf, under a ſpecious and plauſ… ble pretext of ſome moral, or natural good, … deceiving the perſon whom it inſinuats upon; a… which make it to prevail ſo much with us, in a… that we go about. Firſt, (I ſay) it's deceitfu… neſs appears in counterfeiting of Grace; wh… this Corruption comes in, and inſinuats it ſe… p. 53upon a man, it very often appears like grace, …nd makes the man himſelf think it to be ſo; as …or inſtance, it will ſometimes appear like Zeal …or God, at it did in Jehu, whoſe zeal for a Kingdom, looked like zeal for the Lord God of Iſrael; it did ſo likewiſe in Chriſts own Diſciples, Luke 9.54, 55. Who, thought their zeal was good, like to the zeal of Elias, when they would have had fire coming down from heaven to con…ume theſe Samaritans, that refuſed their Maſter …odging, which yet for all that was not ſo, for …hey were acted by a carnal and ſelfie principle, …nd were of another, and more carnal Spirit than Elias was, and therefore Chriſt tells them, that …hey knew not of what ſpirit they were, inſinuating …hat they were not acted in that deſire, by that Spirit wherewith Elias was acted; and as Self, counterfits Zeal, ſo it counterfits humility alſo, as we may ſee in Saul, who did hide himſelf amongſt the ſtuff, when he was to be made King, … Sam. 10.22. Which appeared very like to humility, and ſelf-denial, and yet no queſtion, it was ſome ſelfie conſideration, that mainly moved him to it; and we may ſee ſomewhat of it even in Moſes himſelf, in his refuſing to obey Gods call, when he was ſending him to Pharaoh, to bring forth the Children of Iſrael out of Egypt, Exod. Chapters 3. and 4. His refuſal may ſeem to have flowed from humility, yet the way which the Lord takes to convince him, and the kend…ling of his anger againſt him, plainly ſay, that it was ſome fear of hazard to himſelf, or of his own life, or risking his repute, that made him refuſe: 2ly. Look to the deceitfulneſs of this ſin …in it's ſhewing it ſelf, and appearing like unto p. 54Conſcience; and thus it is often found, whe… men once ingadged in ſuch or ſuch a way, thin… themſelves bound and oblidged in Conſcience t… follow it; while, in the mean time, it is but Se… coming in under the colour, and appearance o… Conſcience, that ſets them on to follow it, an… makes them reſtleſs in ſeeking to proſecute wh… they are once ingadged in; we may ſee a famou… inſtance of Selfs appearing like Conſcience i… Jonah, Chap. 4. To whom the Lord ſayes, Do… thou well to be angry Jonah? And he anſwers I do well to be angry, even unto death; It is ver… probable, he would not have ſpoken thus, if h… had not thought it was Conſcience, and zeal towards God, that moved and acted him; but ye… his pity on the gourd, when God had withered and taken it away, ſhews, that it was not ſo muc… Conſcience, as an inordinat reſpect to himſel… and to his own credit and reputation, that moved him; ye may ſee it, in the dominion of i… in Herod, Matth. 14.19. When the dancing daughter of Herodias ſought the head of Joh…. the Baptiſt, It is ſaid, that the King was ſorry, ne… vertheleſs, for his oaths ſake, and for them that ſa… at meat with him, he commanded it to be give… her; Sure it was not ſo much, if at all, conſci… ence of his oath, (which being ſinfull in the matter of it, ſhould not have been keeped) a… it was fear, leaſt he ſhould be thought and re… puted a perjured man, by them which ſat at me at with him, that moved him to command Joh… to be beheaded; if it was not alſo lothneſs to diſpleaſe the wanton Damſell, and her inceſtuous Mother. 3ly. The deceitfulneſs of Self appears, in pretending ſome good end, for what it moves p. 55a man unto; it comes not in directly, as driving … any evil deſign, but pretends a good one; as …tan did, in the tempting Eve, and for making …e tentation take the better with her, in the day ſayeth he to her) that ye eat thereof, ye ſhall … as Gods knowing good and evil; and Self inſi…uating upon her, under this ſpecious pretext, …at the fruit was good to make one wiſe, ſhe is prevailed with to take and eat of that forbidden …uit; O! believe it, that Self hath alwayes ſome …ne plauſable-like, and flattering deſign or other to ſpeak ſo) în it's head: we ſee likewiſe, …hat Satan (who attempts and gains much by his …entations to this inordinat reſpect that men have …o themſelves) when he comes to tempt Chriſt, Matth. 4. He does much preſs this in all his ten…ations, that he ſhould ſee well to himſelf, by providing meat for himſelf, and by making himſelf great in the world, and by making his greatneſs known, for Satan knew well how great a b…it this is to all the world, though our bleſſed Lord Jeſus, being free of all original corruption, and of all inordinat reſpect to himſelf, ſo that the Prince of the World had nothing in him of that ſort, to work upon by his tentations, he utterly reſiſted, and perfectly overcame them all, and was not in the leaſt prevailled upon by them. 4ly. The deceitfulneſs of this Corruption appears by it's covering it ſelf under the ſpecious and fair pretenſions of ſome moral or naturall good; Thus we ſee, when Self hath ingadged men in the eager, reſtleſs and covetous purſuit of the world, it will labour to palliat, and honeſt it, with the ſpecious pretext of vertue; and will ſay to them, it is good to be vertuous, and to follow p. 56your calling carefully, and diligently, and to provide for you and yours; it may be, it wil… alſo make uſe of Scripture, and tell them, tha… he who provides not for his own, is worſe than a… infidel; Thus alſo, when it offers to diſwade a man from ſuffering for Chriſt, it will ſhreud it ſelf under the ſpecious pretext of ſome natural good, and will tell him, that it is natural and kindly for a man to be very careful, and warry of his life, and to ſee, by all means to the preſerving of it: Thus it did inſinuat upon Peter here, in the advice which he gave to his Maſter, by which he would have had it taking on him alſo, Maſter, Spare thy ſelf, be more tender of th…y own life.

But, 2dly. we come to conſider the ſubtile way that it takes to bear in it ſelf upon us, in all that we do. As 1, in this, that it does not appear, as inconſiſtent with, or oppoſit to Grace, or to the Law of God, as moſt other ſins do; but rather, as very well conſiſtent with both; nay, ſometimes it will endeavour to make pretended reſpect to Grace, and to the obſervance of Gods Law, ſubſervient to the attainment of it's own ends, and will ſet a man on to ſtudy, and to ſtir up, and draw forth his Gifts and Graces, …o exerciſe, and to endeavour ſomething of conformity, in his way to Gods Law, out of too much reſpect to ſome carnal and ſelfie end. 2ly. It doth readily change it ſelf into various Shapes and Formes, ſo as it may be moſt taking with, and pleaſant unto men; moſt other Corruptions come in upon us, in one Shape and Form, but this appears in all Shapes; It comes in ſometimes (as I ſaid before) like Grace; ſometimes like Conſcience; ſometimes like innocent natural reſpect, p. 57and love to our ſelves; ſometimes like publick ſpiritedneſs, &c. It's wayes are moveable; and as Satan, when he aſſaulted our Lord, Matth. 4. changed his temptations on him, and took different wayes to prevail with him; ſo doth Self; when a man falls ſhort of one deſign, it will put him on another; when he miſſeth riches, it will put him to ſeek after credit; and if he fail, and come ſhort of both, it will ſet him on to ſeek his own eaſe, quietneſs and pleaſure, in a more privat way. 3ly. It proves reſtleſs, and makes the man whom it ſweys, reſtleſs, and unceſſant in his way; it diſquiets and vexes him, whatever he do, or whitherſoever he go, ſo long as it's deſigns and ends are not attained, and accompliſhed (which they never will be) This Self is never at eaſe, when (to ſpeak ſo) it gets not it ſelf, when it reacheth not the thing it would be at: we ſee an inſtance of this in Jonah; but amoſt remarkable one in Balaam, Numb. 22. One anſwer from the Lord will not ſatisfie him, but again he muſt go and conſult him; having a Selfie deſign, and deſire after Balacks ſilver and gold, which he largely promiſed him, if he would come and curſe Iſrael, it would not ſuffer him to reſt and ſit at home: Since then this Corruption takes ſuch ſubtile wayes to bear in it ſelf upon us; It is no great wonder, that through our unwatchfulneſs and ignorance, or non-conſideration of it's devices, and wiles, it prevail ſo much over us, in all that we go about. But 3ly. If in a word, we add to theſe the conſideration of the aptneſs, pronneſs and ſtrong propenſion of our nature, to reſet, harbour, intertain, and cheriſh this Corruption p. 58of Self, beſide our unwatchfulneſs, in circumſpection, and negligence to obſerve, and guard againſt it; Is it any great wonder, that it gets ſo much way, and prevails ſo much over us in all that we go about?

The Uſes of the Point are Three, the firſt, whereof is, That ſeing this Corruption doth thus ſteal in upon the followers of Chriſt, in all they do; then ſure it ſhould make all fear and tremble becauſe of it; eſpecially, when we come to meddle in theſe things which more immediatly concern God; we would alwayes think of, and keep this in our eye, that we may be in duties of worſhip to God, even the moſt ſpiritual and lively of them, and yet have nothing to boaſt of before him, becauſe in them we act much from Self and to Self, and are very like to Ephraim; the beſt bringing forth fruit in a great meaſure to themſelves; yea, we would conſider, that we may begin well to a duty, and yet before the cloſe of it, this Corruption may ſo twiſt it ſelf with the dutie, as utterly to ſpoil and corrupt all, or in a great meaſure: There is therefore ſo much the more need to walk in fear of it; and ſeing Adam was ſtollen off his feet, by a Tentation to this ſin, when there was no ſin nor corruption in him before, how much greater muſt needs the hazard of all his poſterity be? and how very much are we concerned, and called to walk up and down in much fear and trembling, in much holy jealouſie over our ſelves, leaſt we be altogether, or much influenced, and ſweyed by this corruption, in what we do: if the great hazard that weare in from this corrupt Self, were more thorowly believed, and more ſeriouſly pondered, p. 59we would be more convinced of the neceſſity of walking ſoftly, of living near God, and of making much uſe of Chriſt, for the ſubduing of it, and of all our other Corruptions.

The 2d. Uſe ſerves to exhort us to learn, not to Judge of our ſelves, by our own actions ſimply, nor of our actions by the ſubſtance, or matter of them, but to judge of them, as they partake of, o… are more or leſs free from this corruption: That is very obſervable which our Lord ſayes to the Phariſees, Luke 16. Ye are they which juſtifie your ſelves before men, but God knoweth your hearts, for that which is highly eſteemed amongſt men, is an abomination in the ſight of God: We may follow pu…lick Ordinances, and go about Duties of Worſhip in ſecret, and in our Families, and may have a kind of liberty, and many good words in our Prayers; and ſomething like tenderneſs in our walk; and yet if we be ſweyed only, or mainly by this corrupt principle, and have our ſelves for our end, all will be but abomination before God, how highly ſo ever they be eſteemed of by ourſelves or others: and therefore try what your performances, and duties are by what there is, or is not of this corrupt principle of Self in them; Look what it is that brings you to Publick Ordinances, and what makes you pray in your Families, or in Secret; whether; it be that ye may not be looked on as meer Atheiſts, but may be eſteemed Religious, or, if it be ſingly to glorifie God: and that ye may be helped in the tryal of this, I ſhall give you ſome Marks, or Evidences, whereby ye may know when Selfineſs, or Self-ſeeking hath dominion over you, in your Duties, firſt, domining p. 60Selfieneſs in ſpiritual Duties, appears by this, when a man is not the better of his Duties, but is as vain, light, frothy, carnal and corrupt after them, as he was before, he fell about them; as for inſtance, when a man is not the better of Prayer, but is as vain, frothy and carnal, and his corruption, as little mortified after it, as before he went about it; as it was with theſe of whom the Apoſtle James ſpeaks, Chap. 4. v. 3. Who asked and received not, becauſe they asked amiſs, to conſum it upon their luſts; They were not the better of their Prayers, they did not mortifie corruption; ye may ſee the like in the Phariſees, who, though they made long prayers, as it is, Mat. 23.14. Yet they were not the better of them, but as our Lord ſpeaks, verſe 27. They were like whited ſepulchres, which indeed appear beautifull outward, but are within full of dead mens bones, and of all uncleanneſs: In ſhort then, when people are much in Duty, and yet they are not ſpiritually bettered by Duty, but their Spirits remain vain, frothy, and carnal, it is an evidence, that Self predomines, or carries the great ſwey in their Duties, but when they are bettered, and ſuch an evil frame (as we juſt now ſpoke of) in ſome meaſure got helped, and the Soul made more ſtayed, humble, and ſpiritual, it evidenceth a denyed way of following Duty; ſingleneſs in Duty, ordinarly humbles and leaves the Soul in ſome better frame than it found it. 2ly. A regnant Selfie way of following Duty, is never waited upon with ſolid ſpiritual peace; a man that is mainly ſweyed, and ruled by this Corrupt principle in Duty, may have a ſtrong conceit, that his way is good, and as he gets applauſe, p. 61may grow to a great height of carnal ſecurity; but as he hath no peace with God, ſo neither hath he any ſolid ſpiritual Peace in his own Conſcience, in the performance of Duties; for when Selfineſs predomines, or prevails, it obſtructs the ſweet influence which otherways duties might have upon the Souls Spiritual Peace; whilſt Ephraim brought forth fruit to himſelf; he was but an empty vine, that neither brought forth acceptable, and pleaſant fruit to God, nor ſuch as could have any influence on his own ſolid ſpiritual peace, but the ſingle, and Self-denyed way of following Duties, much quiets the Soul, and hes ſweet influence on the ſolid ſpiritual peace thereof: Thus we ſee, Phili. 4.6, 7. That the peace of God which keeps or guards the heart and mind through Chriſt Jeſus, is the ſweet fruit, if not being in a carnal and Selfie way careful for any thing, and of making our requeſts ſingly known to God, by Prayer, and Supplication, with thanks giving. A 3d. evidence of it is, when a man, not only hath no ſolid ſpiritual peace, in following Duties; but on the contrary, hath much anxiety and perplexity, through fear, leaſt he attain not, or miſs his ſelfie end; he is perplexed and vexed with the thoughts of ſuch and ſuch events, which may follow upon what he does, toſſed, in a manner tormented in himſelf, with thinking what if this, that, and the other thing follow upon what I do? whereas the man that walks ſingly in the diſcharge of his Duty, remains ſetled, compoſed, and much freed from theſe perplexing fears of events; as we may ſee in Paul, Acts. 2.13. Who, when it was told him, that he ſhould be bound at Jeruſalem, and he p. 62thereupon is beſought with tears, not to go thither, is not perplexed, nor troubled in the leaſt, but ſtayedly, and compoſedly ſayes, What mean ye to weep, and break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but alſo to die at Jeruſalem for the name of the Lord Jeſus; Nothing comes wrong to the Self-denyed man; but every thing that comes in betwixt the Selfie man, and his end, perplexes him, and …u…s him on the Rack; as we ſee in a meaſure in Baruch, Jerem. 45.3, 4. Who cryes out, Wo's me, for the Lord hath added grief to my ſorrow, I fainted in my ſighing, and found no reſt; He is greatly perplexed, and the Lord points at the riſe of it, when he ſayes to him, verſe 5. Seekeſt thou great things for thy ſelf, ſeek them not: Believe it; our ſinful anxiety, perplexity, and diſquietneſs will alwayes be found, if well ſearched after, to have ſomething of Selfineſs at the root of it. A 4th. Evidence Is, That a man who walks by a principle of Self, and ſeeks himſelf only, or mainly, in what he doth, is up or down, as he finds or miſſes himſelf; if his duty go with him, though he have no acceſs to God in it, he will be well ſatisfied; as for inſtance, if he Pray well, in the opinion of others, and win at the following of other Duties, ſo as to be eſteemed of, as a wiſe virgin, that not only hes a Lamp, but oyl in it, he is content, and that even though he have not Oyl in his Lamp; But where ſingleneſs is, a man is never ſatisfied in the performance of Duties, though he get applauſe, and eſteem from others, unleſs he obtain …he main end of Duties, viz. The honour of God, and ſome nearneſs to, and fellowſhip with him in Chriſt: There will be ſomewhat p. 63of all theſe even in Believers where this Corruption much prevails, though it have not dominion, by which it's prevailing power may be known.

The 3d. Uſe ſerves for warning, ſeing there is ſuch a Corruption, that cleaves to Chriſts followers, and that deceitfully and ſubtilly bears in it ſelf upon them in all that they do… then 1. Labour to diſcern it, and to be watchful over it. 2ly. Labour carefully to guard againſt it. First, I ſay, labour to diſcern, and to be watchful over this Corruption; and more eſpecially, when it works moſt deceitfully, and ſubtilly, and inſinuats it ſelf under ſpecious and fair pretenſions, when it looks like Grace, or a principle of Conſcience, when it ſhreuds it ſelf under the pretext of ſome honeſt deſign, or of ſome moral, or natural good: O! do not judge of things as they appear at the firſt; but ſearch to the bottom of them, and conſider well whence they riſe, and whither they tend: There are ſome things that look very fair and ſpecious like at this time, which, if we examine them narrowly, will we apprehend, be found to ſpring from this bitter, and corrupt Root; the men that have invaded us, and overturned theſe Kingdoms, give it out, that they are for great and good things; But look well that there be not much Self-ſeeking, lurking, and lodging under ſuch ſpecious, fair and plauſable pretenſions; There are four things highly pretended to by them (ſome of which we touched a little before) 1. They talk much of, and pretend the intereſt of Chriſt, and that they ſeek to have him great, and his Kingdom to flooriſh in theſe Lands; and indeed, none p. 64can deny theſe to be very good, and deſirable things; but yet notwithſtanding, when his intereſt is ſought, and followed in a carnal way, and when m…n ſeek their own intereſt, cry up themſelves, and endeavour to make themſelves great, under this ſpecious pretext of reſpect to Chriſts intereſt, and to the making of him great, This certainly is not good: what greater honour could we readily have wiſhed to be put upon Chriſt, then ſeeking to make him a King, as the People of the Jewes ſpoken of, John 6.15. did; and yet behold what he ſays to them, verſe 26. Ye ſeek me, not becauſe you ſaw the miracles, but becauſe ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled; intimating thereby, that it was reſpect to themſelves, and to an eaſie way of living, that mainly made them …ut reſpect on him, and court him to be their King; but they quite miſtook the true nature of Chriſts Kingdom: and therefore, when the reſpect that men profeſs to have to Chriſt, is ſuch as alters the nature of his Kingdom, and turns that which is a Spiritual Kingdom into a Carnal, and Worldly one, we would be aware of it. 2ly. The intereſt of the people of God, and of Chriſts Followers, is much pretended, and cryed up; and indeed that alſo is a good and deſirable thing; But as Chriſts Kingdom is not Temporal and Worldly, no more is the great intereſt of his People; This was it, that Korah, Dathan, and Abiram pretended to be for, while they were in the meantime crying down all Government, Civil and Eccleſiaſtical, for they ſay unto Moſes and Aaron, Numb. 16.3. Ye take too much upon you, ſeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is p. 65among them wherefore then lift ye up your ſelves above the congregation of the Lord? Where we plainly ſee, that they made high pretenſions of ſeeking after the intereſt and wellfare of the Congregation of the Lord, or of the Lords People; and yet notwithſtanding theſe high and ſelf-denyed like pretenſions; The ſcope of the place, and theſe Words, ye take too much upon you; evidently make it appear, that their deſign was, to bring themſelves into the Government; and therefore the Lord commands them to take Cen…ers, and to put fire therein, and to put Incenſe thereon, before the Lord; that it might be known, to whom the right of Governing did belong, by divine deſtination; ſo when men pretending reſpect to the intereſt of the People of God, overturn Governments, will needs themſelves become their Patrons, and Protectors, (when yet his People are not calling them to be ſo) bring in Confuſion for Order, we would be on our guard; for the true and great intereſt of Gods People, as ſuch, conſiſts in ſomewhat elſe 3ly. There are great pretenſions made to, and cryings up of juſt Liberty and Freedom, which is likewiſe a good and deſirable thing, as it's very ſad, when men are deprived of it; yet a great deal of Selfineſs may hide it ſelf under ſuch pretenſions; Conſider what the Apoſtle ſayeth to this purpoſe. 1 Pet. 2.16. As free, and not uſing your liberty for a cloke of maliciouſneſs, but as the ſervants of God; The Sco…e of which Word is, to ſhew us, that Chriſtian Liberty lyes not in mens ſeeking to be maſters of themſelves, and to be free from Subjection to others, and to have all others brought in ſubjection to them; for p. 66he expreſly commands us, v. 13. To ſubmit our ſelves to every ordinance of man for the Lords ſake, whether it be to the King as ſupream, or unto governours, as unto them that are ſent by him, for the puniſhment of evil doers, and for the praiſe of them that do well; and v. 18. He commands ſervants to be ſubject to their own maſters, with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but alſo to the froward; and when they do well, and ſuffer for it, he requires them, to take it patiently, for even hereunto are ye called (ſayes he) becauſe Chriſt alſo ſuffered for us, leaving us an example, that we ſhould follow his steps; To be free with this freedom, is the beſt freedom and liberty, even Liberty indeed; to the ſame purpoſe, ſayeth the Apoſtle Paul, 1 Tim. 6.1, 2. Let as many ſervants as are under the yoke, count their own Maſters worthy of all honour, that the name of God, and his doctrine be not blaſphemed; and they that have believing masters, let them not deſpiſe them, becauſe they are brethren &c. He ſtricks againſt two groſs particular errors, and faults that were then amongſt Servants; one, that they thought that they ſhould not ſerve their Pagan Maſters, becauſe they were ungodly; the other, that they thought they ſhould not ſerve their believing Maſters, becauſe they were Brethren; both which faults he would have them amending; and adds, If any man teach otherwiſe, he is proud, knowing nothing, dotting about queſtions, and ſtrifes of words, and the root of all this is, their ſuppoſing that gain is godlineſs, from ſuch (ſayes the Apoſtle) withdraw thy ſelf; For this is a ſelfie way; but Gods way is con…rary, to wit, not to count gain Godlineſs, and to purſue it under p. 67a fair pretext of acting for God, and his People, but to count Godlineſs great gain, for it hath the promiſes of this life, and of that which is to come. 4ly. There are great pretenſions to more light, and to a more ſpiritual way of Worſhip, to more pure and ſpiritual Ordinances, and to a more purely conſtituted Church, all the members whereof muſt needs be Saints, and regenerat perſons, ſo far as men can judge; Theſe are indeed very ſpecious Pretences; but it is to be feared, there is much Self ſeeking at the bottom of them, if men were humbly excluding themſelves, they would, in that caſe, look more like thoſe that deny themſelves; but when they ſeclude others, to include themſelves; it ſeems that ſelfineſs, and ſelf-conceit bears too great ſwey, and looks ſomewhat like theſe, who ſay, Iſai. 65.5. Stand by thy ſelf, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou; and yet God ſayes of ſuch, that they were a ſmoak in his noſe, a fire that burneth all the day: Neither is it any new thing for People to ſeek themſelves, under the pretence of waiting for, and venting of new Light; for there was ſomewhat of this even in the Apoſtles days; as could time permit, we could eaſily make appear, from Rom. 14. and 15. Chapters, from 1 Cor. 8, 9. and 10. Chapters, and from the Epiſtles written to Timothy; nay, we find, that Peoples ſeeking to vent their Light, though true Light, when it hath not been to edification, is reproved as a fault, and accounted a pleaſing of themſelves, while it is ſaid, Rom. 15. v. 1.2. We ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to pleaſe our ſelves; and let every one of us pleaſe his neighbour, for his good to edification: p. 68The Apoſtle makes it a pleaſing of themſelves, to urge the ou…moſt extent of their Ligh…, in ſome leſſer things, as in the uſe of their Chriſtian Liberty, to the wronging, or ſtumbling of the weak Jews: and ſeing theſe men with whom we have to do, pretend highly to new Ligh…, we are concerned narrowly, and impartially to ſearch and try theſe things, that come out under that name and notion; and ſhould not raſhly and precipitantly embrace them; There is a paſſage, at which we may tremble, while we ſpeak of it, and ye at the hearing of it, 2 Tim. 3 v. 1, 2 3, 4, 5. This know alſo, (ſayes the Apoſtle) that in the laſt days, perilous times ſhall come, for men ſhall be lovers of their own ſelves, covetous, proud, blaſphemers, &c. Which ſhew, that all theſe very groſſeſt evils, do readily follow mens being lovers of themſelves; but withall, it is added, having the form of godlineſs, but denying the power of it, from ſuch turn away; intimating that ſelfineſs, would never be able to get abominable ſins covered, were it not for a form of Godlineſs, but yet ſuch being lovers of their own ſelves, are truly guilty of denying the power, and true principles of Godlineſs, we are fallen into theſe laſt dayes, and perilous times, and therefore ye would take heed, leaſt love to your own ſelves, or ſelfineſs, though joyned with a form of Godlineſs lead you unto the ſins mentioned here.

The 2d. Part of the Uſe ſerves (as we hinted) to warn you to guard againſt this Corruption of Selfineſs, or of Self-ſeeking; and here I ſhall give you ſome Directions, which, if they were ſuitably followed, might thorow Gods bleſſing, prevent Self bearing ſo great a ſwey in us, p. 69eſpecially, in ſpiritual Duties. The Firſt wherof is, That ye would learn to ſet Chriſt in his own place, in the heart; for, if he have not his own place and room there, Self muſt needs bear ſwey in us: but when Chriſt gets his own place Selfineſs is thereby keeped out; therefore 2 Cor. 4 v. 5. Paul proves, that he preached not himſelf, becauſe he preached Chriſt Jeſus the Lord; whoever they be, that labour not to ſet up Chriſt in their hearts, and to eſteem highly of, and to be much in Love with him above all things; will have a worſe Gueſt comîng in to take up his room; and indeed, it is not much to be wondered at, that Self reign, and prevail amongſt People, and that they be mainly, or very much ſweyed by it, in the whole of their way, when Chriſt is either not at all, or but very little in account and eſteem with them. 2ly. Labour to eye God always, to have a conſtant depending on him, to have his awe and dread much upon your hearts, and to be much with him; O! ſtudy to live up unto that ſweet advice which Solomon gives, Prov. 3 v. 6. Truſt in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own underſtanding; and if it ſhould be ſaid, what ſhal we do, if we lean not to our own underſtanding? he anſwers, In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he ſhall direct thy paths; do as the Pſalmiſt did, Pſal. 16.6, even ſet the Lord always before you, and then he being at your right hand, ye ſhall not be moved. 3ly. Be much in prayer to God, as the Apoſtle was, when a meſsenger of Satan was ſent to buffet him. 2 Cor. 12 8. for this thing (ſayes he) I beſought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me; So do ye, wreſtle p. 70much with God by prayer againſt it, but ſtudy in prayer to make much uſe of Chriſt, for getting victory over it, in his ſtrength, who wa… manifeſted for this purpoſe, that he might deſtroy the works of the devil, and this work of his this Corruption of Self amongſt others; little praying, and little uſe making of Chriſt in prayer, makes Self predomine, and bear ſo much ſwey in us, as it doth. 4ly. We would be more frequently looking to our own infirmities, that either to the good that is in our ſelves, or to the infirmities of others: Thus we find Paul dwelling in the thoughts of his own inſufficiency, weakneſs, and infirmitie, while he ſays, 2 Cor. 3.5. Not that we are ſufficient of our ſelves, to think any thing, as of our ſelves, but our ſufficiency is of God; he alwayes puts a difference between what he was by Grace, and what he was in himſelf, and looks upon himſelf as himſelf, as being able for nothing: looking too much upon the good we have, or ſeem to have, and too much upon the infirmities of others, makes us proud, and puffs us up, but looking to our own infirmities, more than to our own good, or the infirmities of others, keeps down the riſings of Pride, and looks Self out of countenance, and lets us ſee that there is much in our ſelves to humble us, and nothing at all to be vain, or proud of, and that we want a great deal more than we have. 5ly. See that ye father right (to ſpeak ſo) any good that ye have, as the Apoſtle fathers all upon, and aſcribes all his good to the free Grace of God, while he ſayes, 1 Cor. 15.10. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace which was beſtowed upon me, was p. 71not in vain, but I laboured more aboundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God, with me; We find it alſo much preſſed upon us, that we would remember, that we have nothing, but what we have received; The due and kindly remembrance, and conſideration whereof, would prevent our growing proud conceited, and vain of what we have. 6ly. Reſiſt the firſt beginnings, and riſings of Selfineſs in the heart; and as Solomon exhorts, Prov. 4.23. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the iſſues of life; if once we give looſe reigns within to this, or to any other Corruption, it will ſhortly prevail over us, and break out; as for inſtance, let men once greedily receive, and admit of honour, when it is given them, and they will greatly aſtect, and ſeek after it, er'e all be done; Conſider what our Lord ſayes to this purpoſe, John 5.44. How can ye believe, that receive honour one of another, and ſeek not the honour that cometh from God only? When men are Selfie, in ſeeking to be high and happy in the World, and do not place their honour and happineſs where God hath placed it, they muſt needs be carried away with this Corruption of Selfineſs: believe it, they cannot be Chriſts Diſciples, who endeavour, not through Grace to ſuppreſs the riſings of this Corruption in themſelves, and to reſiſt tentations to it; as ye may ſee John the Baptiſt did, by comparing Luke 13 v. 15.16. with John 1… 20. and 3.28. Its ſaid in Luke, That all men muſed in their hearts of John, whether he were the Chriſt or not? but he puts them out of all doubt concerning this, while we are told, John 1.20. That he confeſsed, and denyed not, but confeſſed, p. 72that he was not the Chriſt; and accordingly ſpeaking to his Diſciples, John 3.28. He ſayes, Ye your ſelves bear witneſs, that I ſaid, I am not the Chriſt, but that I am ſent before him; Here was a great occaſion, and tentation offered for Self-ſe…king, but he confeſſed, and denyed not, but confeſsed, that he was not the Chriſt; He was very much concerned, careful and ſolicitous to prevent the firſt beginnings, and to oppoſe the firſt riſings of Self, and of all Tentations to it: We ſee the like in Paul and Barnabas, who could not endure to have this tentation offered them, and therefore, it's ſaid of them. Acts 14. v. 14. 15. That when the Prieſt of Jupiter would have done ſacrifice to them, with the people, they rent their clothes, and cryed out, that they were men of like paſſions with themſelves. 7ly. All that would guard againſt this evil of ſelfineſs, and carry aright in Du…y, would be much in Self-reflection before the undertaking of Duties; in the diſcharge of Duties, and after the performance of Duties; it's lamentable, that moſt of us never reflect upon, nor conſider, from what principle, or motive we are put on to Duty, but if the work be good, for the matter we look after no more; and that many never reflect upon themſelves, in the diſcharge of Duty, that they may …ee what bears moſt ſwey with them in it; nor yet after the Duty is done that they may know either what their carriage hath been in the Duty, or what the eff…ct of it is to them; whereas, if we were ſearching our ſelves, and reflecting upon our ſelves, all theſe ways, and conſidering, whether it be love to our ſelves, or reſpect to the honour of God, that puts us on to Duty, p. 73and which of the two bears greateſt ſway with us in the Duty; and whether we be more lifted up, or more humbled, when the Duty is over, it would be found a notable help, for holding …out, and chaſing away this Corruption: as Self-examination is profitable in other caſes, for bring…ng to light the hidden things of darkneſs, ſo it is greatly uſeful in this caſe. 8ly. Beware of any thing that may foſter or ſeed this ſelfie principle in you; and in proſecution of this Direction beſide theſe things which we have ſpoken to already, that uſe to be tentations to this Corruption, there are theſe Four things, that we would have you to guard againſt, as tending to feed and foſter this corruption, or corrupt ſelfie principle. 1. Guard againſt deſigning to be ſome body in the World, and to make a great figure at ſuch a time as this eſpecially; I grant, men may endeavour to make the beſt they can of an evil World, and may of two evils of trouble chooſe the leſſer; but here there would be keeping within theſe bounds and limits fixed by the Lord, and walking according to his preſcribed Rules; and when it is otherwiſe, certainly men are not right: It hath been, and ſtill is a tentation, and ſnare to many in theſe times, their making uſe of occurring revolutions and changes, meerly or mainly for Selfie ends; I would beſeech you, by all means to guard againſt this now, even againſt that which was good Baruchs tentation, to affect to be great, or to ſeek great things for your ſelves; but learn to be content with what ye have and to reſt ſatisfied with the condition tha… God hath …ut you in. 2ly. Beware of exceſ…e, and prepoſt…ou… deſires, to eſhew all p. 74trouble, and what may bring you under ſufferin… in your Perſons, Eſtates or Goods, for this hat… in it much of an inordinat Selfie reſpect to you… own intereſt; the Diſciples of Chriſt are ca… led to be always ready to forſake all theſe thing… for his ſake, and to deny themſelves, and to tak… up their croſs and follow him; and ſuch as den… not themſelves, will never be in a holy read… neſs to take up the Croſs; I deny not, but that it'… Duty for men, to ſee to their own preſervation ſo it be done ſoberly, and by lawful means; ye… I think God is angry with the People of Scotland, for too peremptory laying down this as … ground, & for ſticking too tenaciouſly by it, tha… they may, and muſt take every way, and uſ… whatſoever mean, without examining the warrantableneſs of it, to eſcape ſuffering, as if i… no caſe they were called to ſuffer; It's true, w… ſhould not draw on ſuffering upon our ſelves, nor run raſhly upon ſuffering, when we are no… called to it; but when Chriſt brings the Croſ… to our door, and calls us to ſuffer, we ſhoul… willingly undergo it; and if this were once ſolidly reſolved on, it would lay and calm many unneceſſary, and diſquieting debates amongſt us … but many firſt lay down this for a concluſion that they ſhould not, that they muſt not ſuffer, and accordingly ſolve all their doubts, and debate all matters ſo, as they may not ſuffer; this certainly doth manifeſtly and mightily, tend to the feeding and foſtering of Self, and will doubtleſs prejudge ſolid ſpiritual Peace; and would therefore be watchfully guarded againſt. 3ly. Beware of unneceſſary ingadging your ſelves in the contentious debates, and queſtions of this p. 75time, the particular nature whereof, I will not …ow ſpeak to; I ſhal only ſay, as they tend but …ittle to edification, ſo very probably they tend much to the foſtering and cheriſhing of corrupt …elf; and Self getting men once ingadged, it will make them very greedily to maintain, and ſtand …y what they are ingadged in, if not alſo ſtrive …o lay the more and more weight upon it. …ly. Guard againſt adventuring haſtily, and raſh…y to vent what new opinions ye take up at ſuch … time, and againſt ſeeking Selfily, or from affecting …ovelty to propagat them; for Selfineſs will here …lauſibly inſinuat it ſelf, and ſuggeſt, that it's …ot fit to ſmother ſuch new light & opinions; and herefore, when debates about new things ariſe, …eedleſs debates, Which (as the Apoſtle ſayes) …oes but gender contentions and ſtrifes about words, …nd when ye think that ye have win to be clear …bout them, beware of being too forward, and …ver buſie, inventing your opinion of them, or …eeking to proſelyte, and gain others to your …pinion and way, but as the exhortation is, Rom. 15.2. Let us not pleaſe our ſelves, but let …very one of us pleaſe his neighbour, for his good, …o edification, even as Chriſt pleaſed not himſelf; And before ye vent any ſuch opinion to others, …onſider well, if it be profitable and edifying to …hem, and ſeaſonable for ſuch a time; or whether …t may not be better, though the thing were certainly a truth in it ſelf, to have the faith of it to your ſelves …efore God, (as the Apoſtle will Rom. 14.…) than by unſeaſonable venting of it …nd rigid p…eſſing of it on other tender Chriſti…ns, who are not ſo clear about it, to diſturb …heir ſpiritual repoſe; this would certainly p. 76be found, to be a ſober & ſuitable Chriſtian way, not to be ſwayed only, by what is our own ligh… and opinion about ſuch a thing, but alſo to regard, what may edifie one another, For th… Kingdom of God conſiſts not in meat and drink (or in queſtions about unneceſſary things) b… in righteouſneſs, peace, and joy in the holy Ghoſt and yet theſe debates that were in the Apoſtle dayes, were as material as any of ours are now as being about ſome parts of the ceremonial Law of Gods own inſtitution, not then utterly antiquated; which yet turned into vain janglings when they diverted them from their main wor… of building up themſelves in the moſt holy Faith and edificing of one another in Love; Chriſtians may be Ignorant of ſeveral things, that they take up too much of their time about, and be nothing the leſs acceptable with God, and no leſ… uſeful and profitable amongſt his People, and therefore we would look well that we foſter not Self at this time, in theſe things, but ſtudy to deny our ſelves, and take up our croſs and follow Chriſt, and to know theſe things that concern the kingdom of God mainly, and then let inferiour, lower, and leſs neceſſary things come in, in their own time, and place convenient.