An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

Hence note, Secondly; The better we are, the less we esteem our selves; and still the better and better we grow, the lower are our thoughts of our selves.

There is no greater argument of height in grace, than low thoughts of self. Next to faith in Christ, self-denial, or to deny our selves, is the great duty of the Gospel (Mat. 16.24.) Now, as to deny our selves is to be very low in our own eyes, so it is one of the highest acts of grace in us, and requires not only truth of of grace, but much strength of grace to act it. And hence it comes to pass, that the higher and stronger any are in grace, they are still lower and lesser in their own sight, because true height and strength of grace works the soul to more self-denial. And therefore, as a godly man is vile, so he is made more sensible of his own vileness, the more he increaseth in godliness; so that, if any have low thoughts of him, he hath lower of himself. None can think him lower in truth, than he thinks himself; I am light, saith he, I am vile. Though he well understands his state, his privilege, and his interest in Christ through grace, and understands it so well, that he values it above all the world, and would not part with it for the whole world, yet he is still vile in his own eyes, and low in his own rate-books. Abraham, the chief of believers, said (Gen. 18.27.) Behold, now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes. So David (2 Sam. 7.18.) What am I? and what is my fathers house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? How sensible was he of his own vileness, who spake thus, who yet was a man after Gods own heart, and the best of Kings?

There is no greater argument of height in grace, than low thoughts of self. Next to faith in Christ, self-denial, or to deny our selves, is the great duty of the Gospel (Mat. 16.24