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…

4. He that seeks his own things, under pretence of seeking the things of Christ, will walk contrary to his Protestations, Declarations, Vows and Covenants, even then, when he seems outwardly to be most solemn and serious in making of them. Thus did Balaam, he protesteth, that if he had an house full of Gold given him, he could not do any thing contrary to the will of God, and yet at the same time, he goeth with the Messengers sent by Balac. Are there not many amongst us, who when they Covenanted with hands lifted up to Heaven, to endeavour the extirpation of error and Heresy, and whatsoever was contrary to sound Doctrine, did even at the very same time, secretly foment and countenance the things they Covenanted against?

4. He that seeks his owne things, under pretence of seeking the things of Christ, will walke contrary to his Protestations, Declarations, Vowes and Covenants, even then, when he seems outwardly to be most solemne and serious in making of them. Thus did Balaam, he protesteth, that if he had an house full of Gold given him, he could not doe any thing contrary to the will of God, and yet at the same time, he goeth with the Messengers sent by Balac. Are there not many amongst us, who when they Covenanted with hands lifted up to Heaven, to endeavour the extirpation of error and Heresie, and whatsoever was contrary to sound Doctrine, did even at the very same time, secretly foment and countenance the things they Covenanted against?

5. Lastly, He that pretends to the things of Christ, and intends his own, cares not by what ways and means he compasseth his ends, nor by what kind of persons; whether the ways be lawful or unlawful, the persons good or bad, it is all one to him so he may obtain his ambitious intendments, which is a certain sign of a notorious hypocrite. For he that truly and sincerely endeavours to promote the Glory and Honour of Christ, will never go out of Christs way to obtain his desires. For Christ will be more dishonoured by his sin, than honoured by his endeavours, though never so laborious and sincere.

5. Lastly, He that pretends to the things of Christ, and intends his own, cares not by what wayes and meanes he compasseth his ends, nor by what kind of persons; whether the wayes be lawfull or unlawfull, the persons good or bad, it is all one to him so he may obtaine his ambitious intendments, which is a certaine signe of a notorious hypocrite. For he that truly and sincerely indeavours to promote the Glory and Honour of Christ, will never goe out of Christs way to obtaine his desires. For Christ will be more dishonoured by his sin, than honoured by his indeavours, though never so laborious and sincere.