The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

The question is not, whether the glory of Gods Grace, the honour of Christ, be not things above our salvation? that is easily yielded, I know none so simple to deny it: for Gods glory is his ultimate end, and our salvation is but a means to this end: yea, though salvation be sometimes called, or put for the end, yet it is but finis medius, which in respect of the ultimate end is but a means: So then that is not the question. But the question lieth here, whether in faith answering the call of God, in its first union with Christ, doth God require, that now we look that we receive Christ, to exalt that glory of his above our own salvation? For thus Mr. Rogers and Mr. Shepherd have both carried it.

For the first Question, I shall not need stand upon that, it is so plain, to any man who hath read the Gospel, that he is stark blind that cannot see this, that believers in ⟨p. 209⟩Christ may aim at their own salvation in receiving of him: Only this same word, self love, is a suspicious word, and Mr. Rogers (especially) with Mr. Shepherd, have spoken so much against it, that they make poor Christians afraid: Now it is true, self-love is the great cut-throat, it damns thousands, if not all. I touched this before, and will repeat it yet once more, for the support of poor Christians, and I will lay down this Rule concerning self (and will by the wisdom of God defend it against any man that hath a mind to oppose me.)

A Rule. Never did God declare against self, or call a man to deny himself, in that which did hinder his own salvation and happiness, lying in union and communion with God by Christ.