I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

When a man is employed in a way of special Love to his own soul, he hath high thoughts of his Employment, but low thoughts of his own actings under it; therefore said John the Baptist, I indeed baptize you with Water; but there is one comes after me, he shall baptize with the Holy Ghost, and with fire, whose shoo-latchet ⟨p. 298⟩I am unworthy to unloose. But though the Employment of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, was good and honourable, yet they had low thoughts thereof, and high thoughts of their own actings, Numb. 16.3. for said they to Moses, and Aaron, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the Congregation are holy: as if they should say, we are as good as you: Why so? even because they were not employed in Mercy to their own souls, but for others good.

When a man is employed in a way of special Love to his own soul, he hath high thoughts of his Employment, but low thoughts of his own actings under it; therefore said John the Baptist, I indeed baptize you with Water; but there is one comes after me, he shall baptize with the Holy Ghost, and with fire, whose shoo-latchet ⟨p. 298⟩I am unworthy to unloose. But though the Employment of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, was good and honorable, yet they had low thoughts thereof, and high thoughts of their own actings, Numb. 16.3. for said they to Moses, and Aaron, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the Congregation are holy: as if they should say, we are as good as you: Why so? even because they were not employed in Mercie to their own souls, but for others good.

He that is employed, and used in a way of Love and Mercy, is very tender of the Name of God, and doth so act and work as the Name of God may not suffer, or be defiled by him. Thus it was with Ezra, though the Enemy lay in his way to Judea, yet he would not ask a Convoy of the King; for says he, I was ashamed to require of the King a Band of Soldiers,