The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

VIII. Be every way nothing in your own eyes^x; 'tis the humble soul that thrives exceedingly, and alas what have we to be proud^y of? Look we either at our constitution, or conversation; our conception sinful, our birth penal, our life toilsome, and our death we know not what; but all this is nothing to the state of our soul. A Stoic could give this rule, that if any one^z tell you of another's speaking evil of thee, do not excuse thy self, but say, he did not know me, or else he would have spoken worse. A Convert, when he once comes to be sensible of sin, sees more cause to be weary of his life, then proud of his graces. To rise and fall, confess sin and commit it; to see others outrun us, that set out after us; to recover that time for communion with God, which we trifle away in unobserved impertinences; Surely for such persons to be low and vile in their own eyes, deserves not to be called humility, though the contrary be worse then devilish pride. Be persuaded therefore to believe your selves of your selves in the use of Agurs (some suppose Solomons) words of himself, Pro. 30.2. Surely I am more brutish then any man, &c. q. d. I do not make use of my reason, vers. 3. I have not the knowledge of the holy. q. d. my knowledge of holy mysteries is very little; in comparison of my ignorance, nothing. Be as willing that others should speak ill of you, as you are to speak ill of your selves: and be as unwilling that others should commend^a you, as you are to commend your selves,

VIII. Be every way nothing in your own eyes^x; 'tis the humble soul that thrives exceedingly, and alas what have we to be proud^y of? Look we either at our constitution, or conversation; our conception sinfull, our birth poenal, our life toylsome, and our death we know not what; but all this is nothing to the state of our soul. A Stoick could give this rule, that if any one