The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Seventhly, We have the more need to exalt Christ, because there is proneness in every man to trust in his own works; To rest upon his own righteousness; To advance and set up nature. Now, so much as these are exalted, so much is Christ debased. We see our own natures in the Jews, though it was in those glorious times, wherein Christ, and the Apostles manifested themselves, yet men did still seek to be justified by the works they had done: Their endeavour was to establish their own righteousness, though that, like Dagon before the Ark, did fall to the ground before Christ; and truly, such were greater enemies to Christ, more then profane Publicans and sinners. So that the Scripture preaching of Christ, will drive men out of their civil righteousness, out of their formality, and confidence in themselves, which is the strongest hold that the Ministry hath to batter. We may sooner dissolve those gross acts of wickedness, then remove this mountain of self-righteousness. Yet, if Christs Righteousness, his worth be all, why wilt thou be a Christ to thy self?

Seventhly, We have the more need to exalt Christ, because there is pro•enesse in every man to trust in his own works; To rest upon his own righteousness; To advance and set up nature. Now, so much as these are exalted, so much is Christ debased. We see our own natures in the Jews, though it was in those glorious times, wherein Christ, and the Apostles manifested themselves, yet men did still seek to be justified by the works they had done: Their endeavour was to establish their own righteousnesse, though that, like Dagon before the Ark, did fall to the ground before Christ; and truly, such were greater enemies to Christ, more then prophane Publicans and sinners. So that the Scripture preaching of Christ, will drive men out of their civil righteousness, out of their formality, and confidence in themselves, which is the strongest hold that the Ministry hath to batter. We may sooner dissolve those grosse acts of wickednesse, then remove this mountain of self-righteousnesse. Yet, if Christs Righteousnesse, his worth be all, why wilt thou be a Christ to thy self?

Use of Instruction. What matter of woe and lamentation it is, to see so few build upon this foundation? Some put their trust in riches, in chariots and horses; some in the works they do; and thus Christ, whom God designed to be all over glorious, is not glorified by us. Examine your selves in this one thing among others, Is Christ the bottom and foundation of all thy love, joy, and delight? Art thou affected with him in a spiritual manner, as the Church is? Is he the chiefest of ten thousands? Do men of the world come and ask thee, What is thy beloved more then others? What is there in Christ, more then any thing else? Canst thou say, as Aristotle to him who asked why such colours refresh sight, It was a blind mans question? So, this is a natural mans, an earthly mans question. It's a sign thou never didst taste of his goodness, of his power: It's a sign thou hast not eaten of his Honey-combs, or wert fed on his spiritual dainties, that doest make such questions. Never lay claim to Christ, if Father, Mother, Riches, Honours, and thy own life be dearer to thee then Christ is.