CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

2. As it is a secret sin hardly perceived, so it's a deep radicated one; It's our very nature and essence almost: You see by these many disputes that Paul had against those who would join the works of the Law with the Lord Christ, that it is not only inbred in us to put confidence in them, but even to plead for it and to justify this doctrine, and this was not only amongst the unbelieving Jews, but even such as did acknowledge Christ also; The danger therefore is, that when we can cast away other sins, yet this will cleave the faster to ⟨p. 220⟩us; The more we abstain from iniquities, the more trust we are apt to put in our selves; This our Saviour urged when he said, unless a man become like a little child he cannot enter into the Kingdom of heaven, Mat. 18.4. And when he spake a Parable to this purpose, that when we had done all, we should say, we were unprofitable Servants; Oh then take heed of this sweet poison within thee; Do not say within thy heart Such and such sins I have left, I am none of the profane ones of the world, I have a constant care about all holy duties, for if thy heart be hereby confident in these things, it is Idolatry; Though it be more subtle, yet he that falls down before a stock or stone and worshipeth Idols is no greater an Idolater then thou art, for thou makest thy self a Saviour, and sayest of thy duties as they did of the golden Calf; These are the Gods that brought thee out of Egypt.

2. As it is a secret sinne hardly perceived, so it's a deep radicated one; It's our very nature and essence almost: You see by these many disputes that Paul had against those who would joyn the works of the Law with the Lord Christ, that it is not only imbred in us to put confidence in them, but even to pleade for it and to justifie this doctrine, and this was not only amongst the unbelieving Jews, but even such as did acknowledge Christ also; The danger therefore is, that when we can cast away other sinnes, yet this will cleave the faster to ⟨p. 220⟩us; The more we abstain from iniquities, the more trust we are apt to put in our selves; This our Saviour urged when he said, unlesse a man become like a little childe he cannot enter into the Kingdome of heaven,