The Great Corruption of Subtle Self, Sermon 4

The Great Corruption of Subtle Self · Sermon 4

p. 77SERMON IV.

Matthew 16.24. Then ſaid Jeſus unto his diſciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himſelf, and take up his croſs, and follow me.

WHatever be the Spiritual Evils, Maladies and Diſtempers, under which the followers of Chriſt labour, it is a great advantage to diſ…ern and take up aright the Cauſes of them, and the Springs whence they flow, in that caſe, they may be the more eaſily cured; Therfore our bleſſed Lord Jeſus, the great Healer, and infinitly ſkilful Phyſician, who knows beſt how to cure all theſe Spiritual Diſeaſes, and Diſtempers (which often abound amongſt His Followers) having in Peters carriage, a clear evidence and proof, how eaſie it is to withdraw the neck and ſhoulder from his yock, and to decline Duty, and flinch from it, in the hour of Tentation; and being about to make a notably edifying, and profitable uſe of it to all his followers, in the ſucceeding Ages of the Church; he (as it were) ſearcheth into, and maketh clear diſcoveries of the riſe of this evil diſeaſe of back-drawing from Duty in a time of tryal, and ſhews the bitter Root whence it Springs, and then applyes the remedie.

In the Words, he points at the cauſe of mens p. 78back-drawing from Duty, in a trying time eſpecially, viz. Their being too much taken … with, and ſwayed by ſome one Selfie reſpect … another, or by ſome inordinat regard to the… ſelves; this was the very thing, that made Pet… to ſtagger and ſtumble, and our Lord on th… occaſion plainly ſignifies, that this is the ſtron… pull-back of his followers, and the great obſtructer of them, in their ready and reſolute following of him, in all called for Duties, at any ra… of hazard; and therefore he propoſeth it, as the firſt and main thing, that is to be taken a courſ… with, and overcome, even this carnal and corrupt diſpoſition of Spirit, Self-ſeeking, where by men naturally are more ſwayed, than by reſpect to God, and to his Glory; and he laye… it for a ſure ground, that none can make progreſs in following of him, till that obſtruction be ſome what at leaſt removed, and rolled out o… the way, which if it lye ſtill unremoved there will unavoidably be ſtumbling, and not a following of Chriſt, as it becomes Diſciples.

We took up this great obſtruction in theſe three Branches; The firſt whereof is, That there is ſuch a Corruption even in Believers; as to be much affected, ſwayed, and influenced in what they do, by a Selfie principle; to be off, or on at Dutie, according as ſomewhat of Self is concerned, or not, to be more ſwayed by that than by the Duties that are called for from them, or by the right end thereof, or by the Rule which is given them to follow. The 2d. Branch is, That this Corruption of Selfineſs does often wind, ſteal, and inſinuat it Self in upon the moſt Spiritual Duties of the moſt Spiritual and Holy Followers p. 79of Chriſt; and did accordingly ſubtilly …nſinuat it ſelf on Peter, in as ſublimely ſpiritual …nd greatly momentuous a matter, as ever was …eard of in the World, even our Lords execut…ng of his Fathers Command, in the great Work of Redemption, and laying down of his Life for his Elect; and whileſt he is about the perform…ng of what belonged to him, as his part of the Covenant of Redemption: Even then (I ſay) …his Corruption creeps in on Peter, and makes him, under a very ſpecious pretext, by propoſ…ing a moſt unſeaſonable, and prejudicial overture to his Maſter, to become an offence to him, though he that was like us in all things except Sin, was a brazen wall againſt the Tentation, ſo that it could not poſſibly take upon him; yet it ſays this much, that this ſubtill Corruption may ſteal in on the beſt of Chriſtians, ſince it did ſo on Peter, and that immediatly after his giving of a moſt ſolemn and celebrious confeſſion of his Faith in Chriſt, and of him; of theſe two Branches, we have already ſpoken.

The Third follows now to be ſpoken of, which is, That wherever this Corrupt Self bears ſway and dominiers in men, it utterly marrs, and obſtructs them in following of Chriſt; It is that which lets and impeds their Sanctification, and Obedience in Duties called for from them, in their following Jeſus Chriſt; or ye may take it thus; This Selfie Corruption, or corrupt Selfineſs, whereby men do prefer, and oppoſe themſelves to God, and his will, and to the concerns of Jeſus Chriſt, hinders, and obſtructs, and (as it were) myres them in their following of Chriſt ſo that they never win up to it, while this cleaves p. 80and ſticks to them unmortified; therefore when ou… Lord was giving Directions to his Diſciples, how they may win to follow him; he firſt (as I ſaid propoſeth this as the great impediment, that muſt be taken out of the way, elſe they canno… come after him, nor are meet to follow him; This is ſo very clear, in the whole current of th… Scripture, that when it ſpeaks of this Self, an… of Chriſt, the one of them is oppoſed to the other, as 2 Cor. 5.15. To live to our ſelf, and to live to Chriſt, are oppoſed as inconſiſtent; ſo Philip. 2.21. It's ſaid, that all men ſeek their own things, and not the things that are Jeſus Chriſts; Where ſeeking of our own things, and the things of Chriſt are oppoſed, as incompatible; and Rom. 16.18. Serving of mens ſelves, and their own bellies, is oppoſed unto, as utterly inconſiſtent with ſerving Chriſt; they that are ſuch (ſayeth the Apoſtle) ſerve not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their own bellies: I ſhall further clear and confirm this truth in Three general inſtances, 1. Let us look to the way that Chriſt calls to walk in, and let a man adviſe with fleſh and blood, and follow the counſel that corrupt Self gives; and it will be found to ſpeak quite another thing than what is the mind of Chriſt; therefore, the Apoſtle Paul ſays, Gal. 1.16. That in following of Chriſts call, he conſulted not with fl…ſh and blood; Intimating this much, that if he had conſulted with fleſh and blood, it had been long ere he had obeyed his call, if at all; fleſh and blood has quite another language, as Chriſt ſays to Peter in the verſe preceeding the Text, Thou ſavoureſt not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. The breath of fleſh p. 81has (to ſpeak ſo) another ſmell, another ſcope and end than the breathing of the Spirit of Chriſt hath. 2ly. If we look to the matter of Faith in Chriſt, we will find it very clear, for fleſh and blood, or this Corruption of Selfineſs, is the great obſtruction that keeps men from believing; what, I pray, kept the Jewes, and what keeps all others, while in their natural ſtate, from ſubmitting to the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt? even this, That being ignorant of Gods righteouſneſs, they go about to eſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs, and ſo ſubmit not themſelves unto the righteouſneſs of God; It's mens natural ſelf-eſteem, the good opinion, and conceit of their own righteouſneſs, which they cannot find in their heart to quite and forgo, but ſtick tenaciouſly by it, and glory in it, as that which will not miſs to juſtifie them before God, and procure his acceptance; This, this is the great Rock of Offence whereon the Jews ſtumbled long ago, and whereon multitudes in the viſible Church, do at this day ſtumble, and break their necks, and come never up to a ſincere cloſure by Faith, with the righteouſneſs of Chriſt. 3ly. It will yet be further clear, if we look on ſuffering for Chriſt and for the Truth, which is the more immediat ſcope aimed at by our Lord here; There is a very plauſible, proper and pertinent-like tent…tion that comes in the way of ſuffering, Master, be it far from thee, this ſhall not be unto thee, pity and ſpare thy ſelf, and in ſparing thy ſelf, ſpare us; There is ſuch a prevalent inordinat love to ones Self, that as Satan ſaid of Job, in a calumniating way, Skin for skin, & all that a man hath will be give for his life; So we may ſay, what will not a p. 82man give, do and adventure on to ſpare and preſerve this ſelf? nothing is ſo precious and dear to the man, as that wherein Self is concerned; which was that which the falſe Apoſtles ſo much valued and ſought after, (as Paul ſhews, Gal. 6.1, 2.) and from immoderat love to it declined ſuffering; and is it not obviouſly to be ſeen, in our ordinary practice? we love not to ſail againſt croſſe winds, to be Religious, when they that depart from iniquity, make themſelves a prey; and to hold faſt Chriſts name, and not to deny his Faith, where Satan dwells, and hath a throne, and where ſuch as Antipas Chriſts faithfull Martyrs, are put to death, we have no likeing of.

For yet furder clearing of this matter, I ſhal ſpeak a little to theſe two things. 1. To the corrupting influence that Selfineſs has on Duty. 2ly. To the reaſon of it.

As for the firſt, The corrupting influence that ſelfineſs has on Duty; let us try Dutie from the very riſe, to the cloſe of it, in our following of Chriſt, and we will find that it hath ſuch an influence on it all along, whether we conſider Duty, in reference to our ſelves that perform it, or in reference to God, to whom it is performed: firſt, Conſider Duty, in reference to the performer of it, and behold the corrupting influence of Self. 1. In diſcerning Dutie, Selfieneſs will readily ſhut out light, and ſhuffle by many things to get ſome pretext for walking contrary to what light points out as Duty, if it ſhould even go with Balaam, to ſeek after new light, not holding with the clear light that it hath already gotten; and if it dar not go directly againſt p. 83that light, yet it will un-necſſarily adventure on re-examination of it, ſecretly wiſhing, and …eeking after another light; In this caſe, it's juſt …ith God, when men out of love to Gain, or …erferment, or ſomewhat elſe of that kind, will …ot ſubmit to Duty clearly holden forth to them, …ut will needs ſeek after new Light, To anſwer …hem according to the idol of their own hea…t; Thus it was with that wretched Prophet, and it …ay be ſo with others, leſs or more. 2ly. Look …o it in mens following of Duty, and there it will be found ſo to obſtruct and langle them, as it were, that they cannot run the way of Gods Commandments, till the loins of the mind, the affections, and this eſpecially be girded up, as the Apoſtle exhorts, 1 Pet 1.13. 3ly. This Corruption hath ſuch influence, that it will much blaſt a perſon in Duty, I mean, it will not only unfit, & indiſpoſe him for it, but it will make him dry and dead, in the performance of it; as the Apoſtle inſinuats it to have been with thoſe falſe Teachers, who preached themſelves, they had Words but wanted the Power. 1 Cor. 4.19, 20. And as it may be thus in Preaching, ſo it may be in Prayer, and other Duties of Worſhip; in Chriſtians converſing together for mutual edification, it will readily make their diſcourſe frothy and little profitable, and turn all, as it were, into empty ſound. In the Second Place, as it blaſts and corrupts Duties by it's influence theſe ways, in reference to the performer of them; ſo in reference to God, to whom they are performed ſeveral ways; As 1. it makes the moſt precious Duties in themſelves to be accounted but as ſins before God, ſo Zach. 7.5. The Lord beſpeaks p. 84his profeſt People thus, When ye faſted and mourned, did ye at all faſt to me? Thus it was with the Phariſees, their publick and long prayers, which were gone about to be ſeen of men, and to compaſs ſome one or other ſelfie deſign; that which they looked on as acceptable Duty, the Lord accounts the very ground of a challenge; and indeed it's both a juſt and great ground of challenge, when corrupt Self gets Gods room and place. 2ly. As it changeth, in a manner, the very nature of the Duty, ſo in ſome reſpect, it deſtroys and annihilats it; Thus Ephraim is accounted to be an empty vine without fruit, becauſe he bringeth forth fruit to himſelf. 3ly. It deprives the man of Gods gracious reward; as the giving of a little aims, if it were but a cup of cold water, in the name of a diſciple loſeth not it's reward; ſo when much more is given from a carnal and ſelfie principle, as to be ſeen of men, it hath no reward; yea, when men come, as it were, to the very top of Duty, if it be performed on this account, it hath no reward following, but ſuch as they will ruſe themſelves little of, verily (ſayeth the Lord) they have their reward; and to this purpoſe ſayes the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 9.17. If I do this thing willingly, I have a reward, that is, if I go about my Duty of Preaching the Goſpel ſincerely, I may humbly and confidently expect the reward; but if otherwiſe, I cannot: what ſhall I ſay more of the wofull influence of this corrupt Self? It is a great breaker of the peace; it's a mighty obſtructer of inward peace and joy; This is our rejoycing (ſayeth the Apoſtle 2 Cor. 1.12.) the teſtimony of our conſcience that in ſimplicity, and godly ſincerity, we have p. 85had our converſation in the world; inſinuating plainly thereby, that if he had been without this ſincerity, and had made himſelf his end, he could not have had either joy or peace; This may ſerve to confirm this part of the Doctrine.

We come now to the 2d thing propoſed for clearing of this Point, to wit, The Reaſons why, or how it comes to paſs, that ſelfineſs hath ſuch a corrupting hand in, and influence upon mens Duties, yea, often in a great meaſure, even upon the Duties of Believers. 1. It proceeds from the nature of this Corruption, which is ſuch that it hath more univerſal influence than other Corruptions, it runs thorow all Duties, and more or leſs ſpoils them, it hath a hand (to ſay ſo) in every ill turn; other Corruptions run, ſome in this, and ſome in that channel, but this runs (as it were) in every channel, it's the great Idol, to which all the demi-gods of leſſer idols bow, and ſubmit themſelves; it, as it were, ſwayeth it's Scepter over them all; Thus when the Apoſtle James is drawing (as it were) a catalogue of evils. Chap. 4. he ſayes, whence come warrs and fightings amongſt you? art they not from your luſts, that warr in your members? It is always ſome one ſelfie end and concern or another, that brings men in tops with the Rule of Dutie: If we look to ſchiſms, diviſions and offences, they will be found to come from this bitter root, Rom. 16.17, 18. Mark them that cauſe diviſions (ſayeth the Apoſtle) for they ſerve not our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their own bellies, and by good words and fair ſpeeches, deceive the hearts of the ſimple; Thus it might be inſtanced in moſt, if not in all the particular miſcarriages of men. 2ly. It proceeds p. 86from the ſingularly great oppoſition of this Corruption to Grace, and the utter inconſiſtency of the one of them with the other, where this Self reigns, it's a non-ſuch enemy, to the following of Chriſt; other Corruptions are but as Branches of this, and make ſudden excurſions by more tranſient acts, but this lyeth cloſs (as it were) in ambuſh continually, it lyeth at the root, for it contends with Chriſt for the Throne and prerogatives of his Crown; It's therefore more directly oppoſit to him, and inconſiſtent with his honour than other Corruptions, 2 Cor. 4. v. 5. 3ly. It's of a very corrupting influence, becauſe of the pleaſant flattering nature of it; there is ſo great ſibneſs and affinity betwixt men and this Corruption, that it's therefore called Self; It has a kind of Dominion and Law over men, that they think they cannot with reaſon, nor without prejudice to themſelves, refuſe to comply with it's dictats; as is clear in that ſad inſtance of our firſt Parents, Adam and Eve, the Aple is holden out by it, as pleaſant to the eye, and good for food, and to make one wiſe, to know good and evil; The Selfie tentation ſayes, it is ſo very deſirable, and ſo good a thing, that it were unreaſonable to refuſe to eat of it, there is ſuch a ſeeming ſuitableneſs and congruity betwixt men and Self, that there is no reſiſting of it except powerful Grace come in for inabling to withſtand and reſiſt it; it has ſuch a dominion, that all men out of Chriſt are living to themſelves, This is their great ſcope, and end in all that they do, an… they think it's very reaſonable, and ſuitable that it ſhould be ſo.

p. 87The Firſt Uſe of this ſerves for warning, That ſince this is ſo very fruitful a Corruption by it's great influence, and ſince it's ſo prevailing a Corruption, ſo often, and ſo much, that the greateſt falls and miſcarriages of, even Believers, may be drawn from this, as the ſpecial Spring and Fountain of them; we had therefore ſo much the more need to watch againſt it, that it wynd not it ſelf ſo far in upon us, as to bear ſway; for if it prevail, there will be little right in Duty; there will be little peace and tranquillity in the mind and Conſcience; and little thriving in any thing that is good; if it be dark here, how great will the darkneſs be? We would therefore by all means caſt it out, that it ſteal not in to marr not only peace and comfort, but even Light it ſelf: Firſt, then when ye are conſulting what to do in difficult Caſes and Emergents, take heed and be aware of liſtning to Selfie arguments, pleading for, and pretending pity to Self. 2ly. Beware of it when it comes to the Duty, that when it prevails, not to diſwade from the Duty, it go not along with you in it; there is need of watchfulneſs and ſingleneſs in the one, as well as in the other. 3ly. Beware of it when ye have done the Duty; for we may have ſome ſucceſs in Duty, and yet by Selfineſs and Selftickling-reflections on it, when done, we may caſt all down, and get our reward: In a more ſpecial manner, we would be aware of, and guard againſt Selfineſs in theſe caſes. 1. When the Tentation to it is moſt lively, and is readieſt, and liklieſt to prevail and bear ſway: ſometimes there will be fewer motives and incentives to this Corruption, and then the hazard is not ſo great; p. 88but when it comes to the buſſineſs of ſuffering when corrupt nature, and carnal reaſon offer t… ſpeak againſt the Duty, that's like to be waite… with Suffering, and plauſibly to perſwade the le… ting it alone; then beware of Selfineſs; It is … ſtrange word that Chriſt has to his Diſciples Wo unto you when all men ſpeak well of you; Tha… is, it is not only very ordinarly an evidence o… being in a wrong way; but it is alſo a kind of ſnare to men, though they be in the right way, or the thing be right that they are about. A 2d… Caſe is, When the Tentation ſuits our particular humour and inclination, or when that to which we are tempted, agrees well with our more particular affections; it is no great matter for ſome to ſtand out againſt profeſt maligne oppoſition to Godlineſſe, nor for others to ſtand it out againſt Sectarian Errors, becauſe their inclination and affection ſwayes them ſo to do; but to ſtand it out againſt both, is another matter, and to keep our ſelves from our iniquity, (as David profeſſeth he did, Pſal. 18.23. Is a great matter, and a ſpecial practique; It's nothing to ſtand out againſt that which (to ſpeak ſo) is another mans tentation; but it's much to ſtand it out againſt a mans own proper tentation; As for inſtance, hundreths have gone over to the ſide of maligne oppoſers of Godlineſs, theſe years paſt, becauſe their inclination ſwayed them to ſide with that ſort of men; but they have need now to be upon their guard, that have been preſerved from the former evil, that they go not over to the way of Sectaries, eſpecially ſuch whoſe inclination doth any way diſpoſe them, to like of that way. A 3d. Caſe is this, When all things p. 89go well with perſons, and they are fair before the wind, ſitting quiet in much outward peace and caſe, as it was with David; who is then ſooner prevailed with by tentations, as proudly to number the people, and to give way to his luſt, and for hideing of that, to be acceſſory to the killing by the Sword of the Ammonites, faithful and valiant Uriah, (all proceeding from prevailling Self) Than when he was wandering up and down the hills and mountains, and had no place to hide his head in; It's harder in a time of caſe than in a time of trouble and hard exerciſe, to reſiſt any Tentation, and a Tentation to Selfineſs in particular: yea, this will hold even in reſpect of Chriſtians ſpiritual condition, when it is good, and when manifeſtations of God ſome way abound with them, as they did in a great and extraordinary meaſure and manner with holy Paul, 2 Cor. 12. They are then in eminent hazard to be puffed up; and after being in ſuch a condition by not watching againſt this Self, have got ſorer and more dangerous wounds, than when their bands have been ſtraiter. A 4th Caſe is, When the Tentation to Selfineſs is near, and offers us a fit reaſon, and opportunity for gratifying of Self, for ſometime the Tentation to Selfineſs will ſeem to be far away, and may be ſo comparatively, and then the hazard is not ſo great, as when it comes very near, and cloſe up to us, we would at leaſt then ſtoutly reſiſt it; Thus, Act. 14. When the People of Lyſtra came to offer Sacrifice to the Apoſtles, as if they had been gods, tempting them at a high rate to Selfineſs, how was their ſpirit ſtirred? And how did they ſhew their diſlike of, and indignation p. 90at it, by renting of their cloths? So when all the People were in expectation of the Meſſiah, and were wondering what a man John Baptiſt might be, John Chap. 1. Then, in that very nick of time, did he confeſs and not deny, but confeſsed, that he was not the Chriſt; and ſo reſolutly reſiſted the Tentation to Self-ſeeking: I ſay, in the caſe of particular, and preſent Tentations, men are in much greater hazard to be prevailed over by this corrupt Self, than when Tentations to it are at a greater diſtance as Herod, when the people cryed out, at his Oration to them, the voice of God, and not of man, he is ſo taken and tickled, with this ſacrilegious and blaſphemous applauſe, and ſo puft up with proud Self, that the true and jealous God falls on him inſtantly, ſtricks him dead, by contemptible worms; Tentation at a diſtance may more eaſily be reſiſted, but not ſo eaſily when it comes near, and, as it were, whiſpers a man in the ear, (as Peter did our Lord) then it would be inte…tained, as he did Peter with a get thee behind me Satan; we ſhould not ſo much as liſten to the Tentation, nor come in talking, let be in treating terms with it; many by too good an opinion of their own ſtrength, ſo run themſelves (as it were) in the myre, that they come not well, nor eaſily out again, and by the way, take it as one mean for preventing the prevailing of the Tentation, even to guard againſt lanching too far into it; we would hold back, and not enter into the depth of it, but keep near land, near the ſhore.

Before any further proceeding, let me ſpeak a few words in application to this time; there are in our preſent Tentations, ſomethings viſible p. 91and palpable, that call aloud on us, not to come near, but to keep at due diſtance; as if we conſider in the firſt place, the principle that acteth thoſe men who have brought theſe Lands under ſubjection to them, and would now have us making our ſelves acceſſory to the ſame guilt with them; it were good that we took notice of the Apoſtles words, Rom. 16.18. Theſe men ſerve not our Lord Jeſus Christ, but their own bellies, and by fair words, and good ſpeeches, deceive the hearts of the ſimple; a Tentation may come to us under very good words, and fair ſpeeches, and yet if we look well to the deſign, and drift of it, we will find it to be Selfie; the principle ſo much talked of, and magnified is called Self-preſervation, but it may more fitly be called, preſerving of themſelves, in their power and greatneſs. 2ly. If we conſider the means that they make uſe of, and the ways and methods which they follow, we will find that the proſpect is, to be great, to be the head, and not the tail, and to be ſole Maſters; and indeed it were a wronging of our light to deny, that …elfineſs is prevalent here; That it is this which puts them to take ſuch and ſuch meaſures, and not others, and to give ſuch and ſuch orders is too, too p…lpable; and if they walk on this ground, ye are concerned to be aware. 3ly. If we look to the great motive, that pouſſeth on the Tentation, we will find it to be Selfineſs; on the one ſide, there is utter ruine and undoing, and this hath great weight with Self; on the other ſide, there is great gain and advantage, much peace, eaſe and freedom from trouble, and theſe are very takeing with Self; I grant theſe things conſidered abſtractly, p. 92and in themſelves, are not evil, yet a… Selfie motives and would therefore be the bett… weighed. 4ly If we conſider the effect that theſe have upon the multitude, it will be ſoun… to ſpeak out much Selfineſs; what is it that mak… all Scotland, Shyres and Burghs ſo willing an… ready to ſend out their Commiſſioners, but th… weight that a Selfie Tentation hath with them that if they do it not, it will be worſe with them So then, when regard to Self predominantly influenceth all, we are called to look well how w… ingadge & how we go on; for it will not ordinarly be found that Chriſts mind & Self agree well together, nor that ever Chriſts mind, & natural hear… ſo univerſally accorded; It was never ſo ſeen in Scotland before, at leaſt we never ſaw it ſo before, when People were called to appear for the good and advantage of Religion, and of the Kingdom; Therefore ye had need ſo much the more to fear, when ye ſee the principle to be Selfie, the means and motives to be Selfie, and when ye ſee them taken ſo well with, & to have ſuch an effect upon the Multitude, poſe and put your own hearts to it; if upon the one hand, ye were delivered from hazard; and if upon the other hand, there were not ſuch temporal advantages, whether it be not very probable ye would not be ſo ſoon clear to meddle in this matter; & when men are called to Act, they, no doubt, are concerned to be ſo equally poiſed, that the Ballance may not be caſt only upon ſuch a ground as that; and to be ſo Single, as they may have peace in their own Conſciences toward God.

But it may be Asked here, how can this Tentation be known, when any thing offers it ſelf p. 93to us, under a fair and ſpecious pretext, and yet is nothing elſe but Self? For Anſwer, I ſay, it may be known, and I ſhal from Peters way here, give ſome few marks, whereby it may be known; Firſt, then it walketh, and is more ſwayed by events, than divine Rules of Duty; therefore, when our Lord is called in duty, to go to Jeruſalem, and gives an account of what is to befall him there, Peter ſayes, Far be it from thee, Lord, this ſhall not be unto thee; Whereas Singleneſs looks by, and over events to Duty, as it did in Paul, Act. 21. who would needs go to Jeruſalem, notwithſtanding all the moſt importunat, mournful and heart-breaking diſſwaſions of his Chriſtian Friends, from going thither, becauſe of what Agabus foretold he was to meet with, declaring himſelf ready, not only to be bound but to die there for the name of the Lord Jeſus; I will not ſay, but the conſideration of Events may have it's own weight in mens conſultations, eſpecially about their temporal affairs, but it's dangerous, and unſafe to take them for grounds of clearing the Conſcience about Duty. 2ly. This Tentation to Selfineſs doth ordinarly lay more weight upon what deals with, and moves the Affections, than on what clears and convinceth the Judgement and Conſcience, by ſound reaſon; If thou do this or that, it will be waited with ſuch and ſuch hazard and prejudice, and if thou wilt forbear, thou ſhalt have ſuch and ſuch advantage by the forbearance; Peter is much here in pathetick diſswading, but offers no reaſon; ſo it's ſaid of theſe falſe Teachers, Rom. 16. v. 18. That they deceived with good words, and fair ſpeeches, There was more plauſible inſinuations p. 94on the affections, than any ſtrength of ſolid reaſon, and argument. 3ly. This Tentation loves better to round in the ear, and in ſecret, than to ſhew it ſelf in the light, and more publickly; Thus Peter here takes our Lord aſide, and rounds his advice in his ear, being unwilling to bring it under publick conſideration, and canvaſſing, (forgetting that he had dealt with one who was not capable of being taken in the leaſt, with the moſt ſecret ſubtile and plauſible Tentation:) Hence oftentimes men will not only bring over themſelves, but others alſo to comply with a Tentation, by that which they dar not bring forth to the Light, and to open view; motives working on the affections, may ſometimes do in ſecret, but when a thing comes to light, and above board, then there muſt be reaſons brought forth, which being wanting, this Tentation deals by motives, (as I ſaid) in ſecret; There are but few cogent reaſons brought to induce us to acknowledge theſe men that will rule over us, but many motives: if we do it not, this & that, and the other piece of ſuffering will follow upon our refuſing, and is it not beſt, we be all one? and the like, no ſatisfying evidence given that the thing is night. 4ly. This Tentation is ordinarly violent, it cannot indure to be contradicted, or oppoſed; it enters into men with a mighty for …en…an… ſpea…, ſo that the cleareſt word from Scripture will not ſo convince, as to divert from complying with it, nay, they will not be taken off till God himſelf powerfully convince and rebuke, as we may ſee in Ba…aam (and Peter himſelf muſt be rebuked with a ſharp get thee behind me Satan,) and this comes to p. 95paſs from the influence that this ſubtile Self hath, on prejudging of mens light, as it's ſaid of a gift, …hat it blinds the eyes of the wiſe, and perverts the underſtanding of the prudent; It makes a man ſo partial, as he will ſtep over clear and convincing Reaſons, and yet not obſerve himſelf doing ſo, neither will he ſuffer to be contradicted; Therefore let this warn you, to look well how ye behave in theſe times, and that ye weigh things ſingly, and impartially, as in the ſight of God; There will be but little advantage found in all the motives that are brought for life, and the conveniencies and accommodations of it, when the truth of what our Lord ſayes ſhall fully appear, He that ſaves his life, ſhall loſe it; keep then O! Keep at a diſtance from every thing, that may indanger the life of your Souls, or wound your Peace.

The 2d Uſe ſerves to exhort you to beware of intertaining and harbouring this Corruption, as well as of letting it in; for it's of ſuch a nature, that where it once gets entry, it ſtill preſſeth, and in more groſs wayes to be further in; and it keeps life and vigour, as long as any Corruption; and therefore, If we think our ſelves concerned to keep it out, we ſhould do much more, to caſt it out.

But there are a few Queſtions, that occurr here to be ſpoken to. The Firſt whereof is, whether or not this Corruption can conſiſt with Grace? Anſ. Ye muſt diſtinguiſh this, as other Corruptions; there is a ſort of Selfineſs that hath dominion, is un-interrupted, and carrieth full ſway; & there is a Selfineſs that hath not dominion, but is in part ſubdued, interrupted, oppoſed, p. 96wreſtled with, and proteſted againſ… The firſt ſort we find to have been in the Ph… riſees, who were poiſoned and ſwelled with … at that height, that it quite ſpoiled all their Dutie… the other ſort doth now and then ſet up it's he… in Peter, in the Sons of Zebedee, and the oth… Diſciples, but it is born down, and iſſueth in … ſad challenge: So then for a direct and ſhort a… ſwer to the queſtion, we ſay that Selfineſs in it Reign and Dominion cannot conſiſt with Grace being ſo conſidered, it is directly oppoſed t… Chriſt, and allowed to take his room; and … an evidence, and diſtinguiſhing Character of … graceleſs man, from a ſound Believer, whoſe deſire, deſign and endeavour it is, being conſtrained thereto, by the love of Chriſt, not to live henceforth to himſelf, but to him that died for him; but the Selfineſs that is in part ſubdued, interrupted, oppoſed, wreſtled with, and proteſted againſt may conſiſt with Grace, as is clear in Peter, and others of the Saints, and even ſingularly Self-denyed Paul was in hazard to be puft up with the aboundance of Revelations, though Grace bare it down.

The 2d Queſtion is, Whether a Believer may attain that length, as to be freed from Selfineſs, in any Duty that he performs? I Anſwer, That a Believer cannot in any Duty, be abſolutely free from all S…lfineſs; for being but in part renewed, he is propor…ionably but in part Self-denyed; yet beſide that, it cannot have dominion over him as no other Corruption can, he may, th…ough Grace, come to have a great hand over it, ſo that it ſhall not much prevail, yea, by his proteſting againſt it, by his vigorous oppoſing p. 97of it, and wreſtling with it, and by his …ſlyking of it, and lamenting over it, he may …n, and doth oftentimes, to a conſiderable vic…ry over it, and to a good meaſure of ſingle…eſs in his Duty, but never deliberatly, and al…wedly propoſeth it to himſelf, as the great …ope he aims at, as the natural man doth.

A 3d. Question is, May not a natural man, a …ypocrite diſcern Selfineſs, be challenged for it, …d ſome way wreſtle againſt it? and if ſo, what …fference is there betwixt Selfineſs in the Hy…ocrite, and the Believer? I ſay, for Anſwer, …hat the furtheſt length that the natural man …meth, in the diſcerning of Selfineſs, he falls …ort of, and ſo differs from the Believer in theſe …ree things. 1. The Hypocrite, or natural man …ay diſcern that Selfineſs which is more groſs, ſo … he may take up the motive whereby he is main…, if not only ſwayed to Duty; he may diſcern …mſelf to do, or forbear ſuch a thing, which he …ould not do, or forbear, if Self were not concern…; As Pilat might have diſcerned, and belike …d diſcern, that it was Selfie reſpect to Ceſar, …at made him deliver Chriſt to be crucified, and …alaam very probably diſcerned, that it was …ve to the Gold, that made him ſo very deſir…us to go with the Meſſengers of Balak; and Saul, when he perſecuted David, knew that …avid was more righteous than he, and that the …eaſon of his perſecution was the buſſineſs of …he Kingdom; but the natural man, or hypo…rite hath not a diſcerning of Selfineſs in the …oot, as well as in the Branches of it; which …he Believer hath, when in any meaſure in caſe, …nd at himſelf; The natural man diſcerns not th… p. 98Self-inclination of his nature, judging himſel… be, becauſe of it, ſold under the ſame, and gro… ing under it, as being the very ſlave to it; T… the Believer attains through Grace, ſuitably his gracious ſtate; but never the hypocrite, … if at any time, the hypocrite wreſtle againſt S… it is not againſt it as his end, he may well ſtraitned, and difficulted, in his choice of mi… to come by his end; as Balaam was, whether go, or ſtay, forward, or backward; but … Believers wreſtling is againſt it, as his end … The Hypocrite comes ſhort in this, that any … cerning that he hath of Self, is nor univerſal, … may diſcern it in ſome few of it's Branches, … in ſome few of his actions, but not in all, no… moſt, for he hath nothing to diſcern Self w… but Self, and a ſelfie-eye is not fit to diſcer… Selfie Root; and therefore there is always ſo… thing, yea, much that he ſeeth not; he is … challenged for all the Branches of it, for … as well as another, which he would be, … he had a ſavingly inlightned Mind and Con… ence to diſcern and challenge for all, … moſt readily he is not challenged when S… is more ſubtile, and (to ſay ſo) ſpiritual, … contradicts not Duty, but more inſenſibly ſte… in on him, as it was in that caſe of the pro… Self-ſeeking Phariſee, Luke 18. Who ſaid, a… all had been right, and nothing wrong, God, thank thee, &c. 3ly. A natural man comes ſh… as to the diſcerning of Selfineſs in the matters … Faith; he may poſſibly diſcern it, when he p… himſelf in the room of God, or his Self-en… when it is more groſs, but when it comes to re… ing p. 99on ſomething in Self for Salvation, or to ſtick…ng to ſomewhat in Duties, and in the moſt ſpi…tual Duties, he doth not diſcern this; and the …eaſon is, becauſe that which manifeſts this is …piritual Light, and it is the Spirits Work to con…nce of not believing on Chriſt; and a natural …an being under the Covenant of Works, and …he obligation thereunto, as ſuch being his rule, …nd he not being inlightned according to the co…enant of Grace, there is nothing in the cove…ant of Works, that clearly diſcovers to him this …orruption in the matter of Faith: Anſwerable … theſe three, in as far as the natural man hath …ght, he may be challenged, and ſome way …rive againſt Selfineſs, but no further; he may …reſtle againſt a particular Idol, but not againſt …l Idols; and when he wreſtles againſt that ſame …dol, it is but one part of Self-wreſtling againſt …nother part of Self; and when he ſtrives or …reſtles faintly, as it may be, or rather, when …elf-love wreſtles againſt Selfineſs in ſuch and …uch a Duty, it is but Self wreſtling againſt Self; …s we may ſee in Balaam, who, when he ſees the …ngel, and is feared for his life, he will go back …gain, but not from any diſcerned and hated …elfineſs, but from a new fear of Self-hazard; …nd accordingly, when he had no hope to pre… all thereby, he leaves off his divination, and yet …bides not at this reſolution; but his heart keep…ng the Corruption ſtill living, he gives wicked …dvice to Balack for bringing the People of God …nto a ſ…are and unde… his wrath thereby; So then …he greateſ… o… all …ge that a Hypocrite can have …or Selfineſs, … bu… i… ſome particul…r Act, and …is wreſtl…ng i…, but (as I ſaid) by one piece p. 100of Self againſt another, or by one Idol or … againſt another; that which makes the wreſtl… is ſomething competing with that which would fain be at; it is not how to get him born down, but rather how to get himſelf … or keept up; as in other caſes might be clear… whether a Hypocritical Balaam go backward forward, whether he curſe or bleſs, he … ſeeks himſelf; he turns himſelf to bleſs, wh… he is reſtrained from curſing, he ſeeks not a… divination, when he ſees that God will not ſu… it to ſucceed, yet ſtill rotten at the heart, this reigning Corruption of Self, turn himſel… he will, and alter his caſe as it may, it muſt ways contribute to that, as his great end.

There is a 4th Queſtion of affinity with … former; how does this reigning Self in a Hy… crite differ from ſubdued Self, in ſome meaſu… in the Believer? and how may this difference known? I anſwer, first, Selfineſs in the Hy… crite is the great thing that bears him up, … puts him forward in his Dutie, (and as it wer… prompts him to it; and when this wind of te… tion blows, he goes actively about his duty, … ſails fair before the wind; but when that wh… ceaſeth, he is quite becalmed, and faggs; … Selfineſs greatly unfits the Believer for Duty The Hypocrite always prays beſt, when there … many to hear him; but when Selfineſs preva… over the Believer, frothineſs and levity of ſpi… greatly impeds him, in ſpiritual performance… Thus Selfineſs, in a ſort helps the Hypocri… but hurts the Believer; and therefore, as it … good token, to find Selfineſs an impediment, a… obſtruction in the way of Duty, ſo it is an e… p. 101token, when a man finds himſelf, and that to his …isfaction, helped by it. 2ly A man in whom …lfineſs reigns is ſatisfied, when he hath obtain… his end, which is himſelf; as when he hath …erfomed any Duty, and gets applauſe from …en, he is well pleaſed and ſatisfied; but where …elfineſs is in part ſubdued in a Believer, … in any meaſure it prevail in the Duty, …hen he looks back on the Duty, he readily …es ſo much carnalneſs and ſelfineſs in it, that it …ill prove a greater burden, and more weighty …xerciſe to keep him low, ſober and humble, …an all the applauſe and ſucceſs of the external …erformance can contribute to the blowing of him …p; and therefore it is an ill token, when men …re very well pleaſed and ſatisfied with their do…ng of Duty; and a good token, when men are …ot well pleaſed, nor ſatisfied either with themſelves, or with their own performances, but ſe…ouſly humbled under diſcovered Selfineſs, Car…alneſs and ſhort-coming therein. 3ly. Selfineſs …n the natural man, or Hypocrite, is the thing that …e would faineſt be a…; to get the good conceit & opinion of himſelf upholden, is his great deſire and deſign; but Selfineſs in the Believer, is that which he would faineſt be freed from; there is nothing that ſtands ſo much in the Believers way …s this Corruption of Self doth, and there is nothing that he covets more to be rid of. 4ly. Where Selfineſs reigns, and has the Throne, men are impatient, (as I ſaid a little before,) to be thuarted and contradicted; and if they fall to be contradicted, they become either quite faint and diſcouraged, or more carnal and proud: where Selfineſs is in part ſubdued, Chriſtians p. 102are glad, when at themſelves, when they … with any thing that may humble them, and h… down that Corruption; not darring to be … content to meet with reproach, when it is wi… out their own Sin, or when a fault is told the for laying of their pride; Hence Paul, 2 Cor. ſayes, That he will moſt gladly rejoyce in his … firmities, in troubles, perſecutions and reproa… es; When he ſaw he could not well bear relations without ſomewhat to keep him low; a… (if I may ſo ſay) it is a kind of lightning Souls, in any good meaſure mortified to this Id… whileſt they are wreſtling againſt it, when … thing in providence falls in, and (as it were ſhames Selfineſs, and helps them to beat it dow… it is made very welcome, as a thing which th… ſtood in need of; as David welcomed Abiga… who came ſeaſonably to divert him from proſ… cuting his raſh, paſſionat and Selfy reſolution … gainſt churliſh Nabal, and all the men of h… houſe. There is a 5th Queſtion, which is thi… whether when Perſons are ſo much haunte… with, and ſo frequently aſſaulted by Selfineſs, whe… it ſo hangs on them, and beſets them ſo eaſily i… every thing that they go about, that they cannot get it ſhaken off, whether (I ſay) in this caſ… they ſhould nor leave Duty, and let it alone? To which I Anſwer ſhortly, That the thing which ſhould direct us in the point of Duty … neither Corruption within, nor Tentation without, but the Rule preſcribing, and the command laying on the Duty; therefore they would be ſo far from giving way to this Tentation, for leaving off their Duty, that on the contrary, they would ſo much the more ſeriouſly and diligently p. 103ſet about it: But it will be Objected, that …rſons ſo doing, will ſin. I Anſwer, Firſt, Per…ns may indeed ſin, but it is accidentally, and to ſay ſo) in a circumſtance, but they ſin di…ctly, and in a manner madly againſt the com…nd, when they quite caſt off Duty, becauſe of …hering Selfineſs. 2ly. In quiting Duty on this …ound, they fall into the ſame ſin, they ſay they …ould eſchew, and alſo into another with it; for …hat, I pray, is it, that keeps a perſon back …om Prayer (for inſtance) becauſe of his fear … Selfineſs, when he is called to it, but Selfineſs …ontradicting the Command. 3ly. Though Per…ons ſin neceſſarily (by a neceſſity they them…elves have contracted) in doing their Duty, …hrough a mixture of this Corrupt Self, yet not …o, as when they altogether give over Duty; for when Duty is in obedience to Gods Command gone about, Self gets not ſuch way, nor doth it ſo much prevail, as when it is quite neglected; by neglecting of Duty, we bring our ſelves under the certain guilt of direct and down-right Rebellion againſt a divine Command, to eſchew an accidental ſin, which alſo God might graciouſly, in a great meaſure prevent: I thought to have ſpoken a word here to you that know, or at leaſt acknowledge no other rule, councellour or end, but fleſh and blood, but carnal and corrupt Self; I ſhall only deſire you, for the Lords ſake, to conſider, how ſad your caſe muſt needs be, when all your meerly civil, and formal way in Religion ſhall be found to have referred to your ſelf, only as your end, and when God ſhall ſay to you, when ye prayed, heard the Word, and read it, when ye did eat and drink, ye did not p. 104any of all theſe things to me; and yet this is the caſe, not only of the more groſly prophane, but alſo of all meerly legal and formal Perſon… pretending to Godlineſs, as if becauſe of theſ… external performances, God had by ſpecial Grac… differenced them from others, while in the mea… time, they ſtill go about to eſtabliſh their ow… righteouſneſſe, and quite neglect to make uſe o… Chriſts: If this Corruption of Selfineſs be ſuch an obſtruction to Believers, what muſt it be to you, who live to your ſelves, as if ye had bee… born to your ſelves, nay, as if ye had given a being to your ſelves, who were never divorced, nor delivered from the dominion of Self? The Lord himſelf open your eyes, that ye may ſee the deplorableneſs of your ſtate and condition.