The crucifying of the world

Use.

SEE then that you abhor all self-advancing thoughts: And receive no Doctrine that gives the glory of Christ unto your selves. They are miserable that are made irreligious by their pride: But they are more miserable, because more uncurable, that make themselves a Religion by their pride: and frame to themselves both Doctrines and Devotions, whose tendency and use is to keep alive this devilish sin. You do not believe well, nor repent well, nor pray well, nor do any Christian duty well, if you be not more humble in and after it, then you were before. Its a sad case for a man to preach himself and pray himself into hell, and to strengthen the bonds of sin and Satan by his devotions. And yet proud Devotions are as ready a way to this, as you can devise. If you read, or confer, or preach, or pray, with a mind that is lifted up, and glorieth in it self, you do but serve the Devil, with the name of God and his holy Ordinances. And therefore we have seen by sad experience, in a multitude of sects, and horrible delusions of late in this Land, that none run to such dreadful outrages in sin, nor go so far against the Lord, as proud self-conceited professors do. As you love your souls, take heed of being conceited of your own understanding or worth, and of being proud of your supposed holiness or abilities. What fearful ends have we seen of such! If indeed thou art a Christian, thou must become as a little child, and learn of Christ to be meek and lowly, and be a servant to all: And lay thy self still at the feet of Christ, as sensible that all the sin is thine, but the good is his, from whom thou didst receive it. Thou canst destroy thy self, but in him is thy help. Thou hast the skill and ability, to set thy own house on fire; but its he that must quench it or repair it. Thou art wise to do evil, but thou hast no knowledge to do good, but what he giveth thee. Thou hast the art of stabbing thy self, but not of curing thy self. He must do that for thee, or else it must be undone. You can snarl and ravel the state of your own souls, but its he that must untie the knots which thy ⟨p. 242⟩folly and carelessness have tied. Thou canst with Jonah raise the storm and cast thy self over-board; but its he that must provide the Whale to receive thee, and bring thee to the Land.