3. But in the seeming Christian selfishness is still the predominant principle: he loveth God but for himself; and he never had any higher end than self: All his Religion, his opinions, his practice is animated by self-love, and governed by it, even by the Love of carnal self: self-esteem, self-conceitedness, self-love, self-willedness, self-seeking and self-saving, are the constitution of his heart and life. He will be of that opinion, and way and party in Religion, which selfishness directeth him to choose: He will go no farther in Religion, than self-interest and safety will allow him to go. He can change his friend, and turn his love into hatred, and his praises into reproach, when ever self-interest shall require it. He can make himself believe, and labour to make others believe, that the wisest and holiest servants of God, are erroneous, humorous, hypocrites, and unsufferable, if they do but stand cross to his opinions and interest. For he judgeth of them, and loveth or hateth them, principally as they conform to his will and interest, or as they are against it: As the godly measure all persons and things, by the will and interest of God, so do all ungodly men esteem them as they stand in reference to themselves. When their factious interest required it, the Jews, and specially the Pharisees, could make themselves and others believe, that the Son of God himself was a breaker of the Law, and an enemy to Caesar, and a blasphemer, and unworthy to live on the earth: And that Paul was a pestilent fellow, and a mover ⟨p. 42⟩of sedition among the people, and a ringleader of a sect, and a profaner of the Temple, Act. 24.5, 6. and which of the Prophets and Apostles did they not persecute? Because Christs doctrine doth cross the interest of selfish men, therefore the world doth so generally rise up against it with indignation; even as a Country will rise against an invading enemy: For he cometh to take away that which is dearest to them: As it is said of Luther, that he meddled with the Popes crown, and the Friars bellies: and therefore no wonder if they swarmed all about his ears. Selfishness is so general and deeply rooted, that (except with a few self-denying Saints) self-love and self-interest ruleth the world: And if you would know how to please a graceless man, serve but his carnal interest, and you have done it:
3. But in the seeming Christian selfishness is still the predominant principle: he loveth God but for himself; and he never had any higher end than self: All his Religion, his opinions, his practice is animated by self-love, and governed by it, even by the Love of carnal self: self-esteem, self-conceitedness, self-love, self-willedness, self-seeking and self-saving, are the constitution of his heart and life. He will be of that opinion, and way and party in Religion, which selfishness directeth him to choose: He will go no farther in Religion, than self-interest and safety will allow him to go. He can change his friend, and turn his love into hatred, and his praises into reproach, when ever self-interest shall require it. He can make himself believe, and labour to make others believe, that the wisest and holiest servants of God, are erroneous, homorous, hypocrites, and unsufferable, if they do but stand cross to his opinions and interest. For he judgeth of them, and loveth or hateth them, principally as they conform to his will and interest, or as they are against it: As the godly measure all persons and things, by the will and interest of God, so do all ungodly men esteem them as they stand in reference to themselves. When their factious interest required it, the Jews, and specially the Pharisees, could make themselves and others believe, that the Son of God himself was a breaker of the Law, and an enemy to Caesar, and a blasphemer, and unworthy to live on the earth: And that Paul was a pestilent fellow, and a mover ⟨p. 42⟩of sedition among the people, and a ringleader of a sect, and a prophaner of the Temple, Act. 24.5, 6. and which of the Prophets and Apostles did they not persecute? Because Christs doctrine doth cross the interest of selfish men, therefore the world doth so generally rise up against it with indignation; even as a Country will rise against an invading enemy: For he cometh to take away that which is dearest to them: As it is said of Luther, that he medled with the Popes crown, and the Fryars bellies: and therefore no wonder if they swarmed all about his ears. Selfishness is so generall and deeply rooted, that (except with a few self-denying Saints) self-love and self-interest ruleth the world: And if you would know how to please a graceless man, serve but his carnal interest, and you have done it:
