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…

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 o•t, 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.

1. If thou art as zealous for the advancement of Religion and Reformation, when it doth not concerne thy int rest, as when it doth; this is a certaine signe 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 calfe, was onely 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 gaine is to be got by a Reformation, but very heavily and slowly, when thy interest is not at all concerned, this is a signe that thou makest use of Religion for thine owne ends. Thus it was with Iehu, he had a double Idolatry to root ot, the Idolatry of Baal, and of Ieroboams 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 theeves, they will cry out against them as dishonourers of God; but let the same Servants prophane the Sabbath, or abuse the name of God by vaine Oaths, they are not troubled at it, because it is not against their private interest.