VI. Get a spirit of self-denial. God is then pleased best when self is displeased most: When we can be content to be emptied, content to be abased, that God may be honoured; and with the Holy Baptist, are wiling to be eclipsed by Christ; willing to decrease that he may increase: counting our selves no losers whilst his interest is a gainer: John. 3. 29, 30. rejoicing that we are made low for Christs advancement: This is well-pleasing unto God: How greatly was he pleased with Solomon's self-denying choice, and gives him his asking, throwing in riches, and honours into the bargain? 1 Kings 3. 10, 11, 12. Strange was Abraham's self-denial. What! to sacrifice with his own hand, the whole hope of his Family! the Heir of Promise! the Child of his Years! a Son! an only Son! when his life was bound up in the lads life! Was ever mortal thus put to it? But Abraham shall not be a loser. God gives him a testimony from Heaven: blesses him, blesses his Seed: blesses all Nations in him, Gen. 22. 15, 16, 17, 18. Wonderful was Moses his self-denial; but more wonderful was his acceptation and reward, ⟨p. 27⟩Heb. 11. 24. none like Moses, Deut. 34. 10. God preferred him in another manner then Pharaoh could. He must speak with him face to face as a man with his friend: His word shall be as it were a Law with God: Speak for whom he will, they shall be spared though they seemed to be devoted to destruction. But speak against him who durst, he shall be sure to bear his iniquity, Numb. 12. 8. Forget self: Renounce thine own wisdom; thine own worthiness; thine own will; Bite in thy passions: Curb thine appetite: Bridle thy tongue: This do and thou shalt be greatly accepted: and shalt find that Gods favour will infinitely reward thee, for all the murmuring oppositions and discontents of thy flesh, which will be ready to be impatient to have the reins held so hard.
VI. Get a spirit of self-denyal. God is then pleased best when self is displeased most: When we can be content to be emptied, content to be abased, that God may be honoured; and with the Holy Baptist, are wiling to be eclipsed by Christ; willing to decrease that he may increase: counting our selves no losers whilst his interest is a gainer: Iohn. 3. 29, 30. rejoycing that we are made low for Christs advancement: This is well-pleasing unto God: How greatly was he pleased with Solomon's self-denying choice, and gives him his asking, throwing in riches, and honours into the bargain? 1 Kings 3. 10, 11, 12. Strange was Abraham's self-denyal. What! to sacrifice with his own hand, the whole hope of his Family! the Heir of Promise! the Child of his Years! a Son! an only Son! when his life was bound up in the lads life! Was ever mortal thus put to it? But Abraham shall not be a loser. God gives him a testimony from Heaven: blesses him, blesses his Seed: blesses all Nations in him, Gen. 22. 15, 16, 17, 18. Wonderful was Moses his self-denyal; but more wonderful was his acceptation and reward, ⟨p. 27⟩Heb. 11. 24. none like Moses, Deut. 34. 10. God preferred him in another manner then Pharaoh could. He must speak with him face to face as a man with his friend: His word shall be as it were a Law with God: Speak for whom he will, they shal be spared though they seemed to be devoted to destruction. But speak against him who durst, he shall be sure to bear his iniquity, Numb. 12. 8. Forget self: Renounce thine own wisdom; thine own worthiness; thine own will; Bite in thy passions: Curb thine appetite: Bridle thy tongue: This do and thou shalt be greatly accepted: and shalt find that Gods favour will infinitely reward thee, for all the murmuring oppositions and discontents of thy flesh, which will be ready to be impatient to have the reins held so hard.
