A32723:433
Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God
Several discourses upon the existence and attributes of God by that late eminent minister in Christ, Mr. Stephen Charnocke ...
London: printed for D. Newman, 1682
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. A Gracious self-love: When we love our selves for higher ends than the nature of a Creature, as a Creature dictates, Viz. in subserviency to the Glory of God. This is a reduction of the revolted Creature, to his true and happy order. A Christian is therefore said to be Created in Christ to good works. *As all Creatures were Created, not only for themselves, but for the honour of God; so the Grace of the new Creation carries a man to answer this end, and to order all his operations to the Honour of God, and his well pleasing.
3. A Gracious self-love: VVhen we love our selves for higher ends than the nature of a Creature, as a Creature dictates, Viz. in subserviency to the Glory of God. This is a reduction of the revolted Creature, to his true and happy order. A Christian is therefore said to be Created in Christ to good works. *As all Creatures were Created, not only for themselves, but for the honour of God; so the Grace of the new Creation carries a man to answer this end, and to order all his operations to the Honour of God, and his well pleasing.
The first is from nature, the second from sin, the third from Grace. The first is implanted by Creation, the second the fruit of Corruption, and the third is by the powerful operation of Grace.
This Carnal self-love is set up in the stead of God as our last end; like the Sea, which all the little and great streams of our actions run to, and rest in.