The monster of sinful self-seeking, anatomized together with a description of the heavenly and…The monster of sinful self-seeking, anatomizd together with a description of the heavenly and…

Quest. But how shall I know whether I am but a pretender to the things of Jesus Christ? whether I am one who makes use of Religion to serve mine own interest? Whether I am like Demetrius the Silver-smith, who minded his gain more then his Goddess?

Quest. But how shall I know whether I am but a pretender to the things of Iesus Christ? whether I am one who makes use of Religion to serve mine owne interest? Whether I am like Demetrius the Silver-smith, who minded his gaine more then his Goddesse?

Answ. If we would deal faithfully with our own Souls, we could not but easily know this. To help you in it, take these rules:

Answ. If we would deale faithfully with our owne Soules, we could not but easily know this. To help you in it, take these rules:

1. If thou art as zealous for the advancement of Religion and Reformation, when it doth not concern thy int rest, as when it doth; this is a certain sign thou seekest the things of Christ in sincerity: Thus it was with Moses, in the Rebellion of Corah and his company, there was a conjunction of interests; the conspiracy was against God and Mo•es, but the Idolatry of the Golden calf, was only against the interest of G•d, Moses was not prejudiced by it, and yet he was every way as zealous ⟨p. 29⟩for the glory of God in the latter, as in the former. But now on the contrary, if thou drivest furiously when any gain is to be got by a Reformation, but very heavily and slowly, when thy interest is not at all concerned, this is a sign that thou makest use of Religion for thine own ends. Thus it was with Jehu, he had a double Idolatry to root ot, the Idolatry of Baal, and of Jeroboam's Calves; he destroyed the first, but continued the second, because it was against his interest to abolish it. Thus it is with many Masters of Families, if their Servants play the thieves, they will cry out against them as dishonourers of God; but let the same Servants profane the Sabbath, or abuse the name of God by vain Oaths, they are not troubled at it, because it is not against their private interest.