A Treatise of Self-Denial, Chapter 2 · Section 1
SECT. I. Shewing what is meant by Self.
SElf here, is ones own perſon in contra-diſtinction to whatſoever belongs unto the perſon, that which a man is, in oppoſition to that which he hath. This muſt bee denied, yet not ſimply under any conſideration, but foreign in ſome certain reſpect onelyonly, namely, as it ſtands in oppoſition unto Chriſt, and refuſeth to come after him. In all other reſpects, a man not only may, but ought to pleaſe himſelf, ſave in this onelyonly, that hee would bee pleaſed contrary to the will of God. So that if there were nothing of contrariety or enmity in him to the will of God, but in all things hee were ſubject thereunto, there would bee no need of Self-denial.
The ſoul therefore in the practice of this duty of Self-denial, muſt bee conſideredkMoors Platon. Poems Interpretat. Gen. We muſt conceive in a godly man, a double ſelf, one which muſt be denied the other which muſt deny. Sibs Souls Conflict. cap. 9. as a thing complex or concrete, neceſſarily including the corruption of that evill life, or ſpirit, which is the ſouls ſelf for a time. This by the Apoſtle is calledlforeign hic eſt ſubjectam pro adjuncto, pro foreign, …etus illa in homine vivendi …atio, quae & tatura dicitur. Grotius in loc. foreign, the old man, Rom. 6.6. and the fleſh, Gal. 5.17. in regard of the remainders whereof in himſelf, he ſayes hee was carnal, Rom. 7.14. This is true of every one, but with this difference, ſome are altogether carnal, as thoſe that are not born again, Joh. 3.6. The Apoſtle ſpeaking of theſe, expreſſeth them by this Periphraſis, foreign, they that are after the fleſh, Rom. 8.5. and afterwards, foreign, they that are in the fleſh, v. 8. Others are but in part carnal, as thoſe that are born of the Spirit, who in that reſpect are ſaid to bee Spirit, Joh. 3.6. and yet in regard of a remainder of corruption, are ſaid to bee alſo carnal, 1 Cor. 3.4. Now as ſuch, whether regenerate or unregenerate a man is bound to deny himſelf, though it bee the regenerate man only that will do it.
Thoſe that treat of this ſubject, doe uſually make mention of divers other Selfs, and accordingly make ſo many ſeveral ſorts of Self-denial. Some diſtinguiſh it into circumſcribed Self, which is a mans perſon, Divided-ſelf which is his wife; Multiplied-ſelf, which is his poſterity; Civil-ſelf in reſpect of his Civil relations, and worldly enjoyments; Sinfulſelf in reſpect of his corruptions, and Moral-ſelf in reſpect of his good works.
Others make a tripartite diviſion of it, into Natural, Sinful, and Renewed-ſelf. Natural-ſelf they conſider,
1 In regard of being and ſubſtance, importing our life, together with all the powers, and faculties of nature, as underſtanding, will, and affections, the ſenſes and members of the body.
2 In regard of well-being, or the comforts of this life, which are either,
1 External relations;
Or 2 Special gifts, and endowments, as Learning, Wiſdome, Power, and all other abilities of minde and body.
3 Common ends, which all men labour for, as riches, honours, and pleaſures. Renewed-ſelf they make to bee a mans duties, holineſs, and obedience, his righteouſneſs, and the graces of the Spirit: But thus one may make all the things in the world ones ſelf.
That which is to bee denied in all theſe, is but one and the ſame thing, and that is the Old man, which would have ſomething to do in all of them, contrary to the will of God, which muſt not bee ſuffered. The Old man would have us ſave our lives, when God would have us loſe them; hee would have us keep our eſtates, when God would have us part with them; hee would have us ſeek to bee juſtified by our good works, hee would have us imploy our underſtandings and other abilities of minde and body for other ends, than God hath appointed, and when it is thus, hee muſt bee denied. Therefore its more proper to ſay, that Self muſt bee denied in, or about riches, and honours, and good duties; that that riches, and honours, and good duties muſt bee denied, as I ſhall ſhew afterwards.