Object. But is it lawful thus to wish to be accursed? Certainly Paul could not wish himself to love Christ less, or to be less beloved of him; for these things we cannot part with them without Sin: but in our enjoyment of Christ there is a happy part, some personal Happiness which resulteth to us; now all this he could lay at God's Feet. How so? What for others? A regular Love begins at home, and every Man is bound to look to his own Salvation first, and then the Salvation of others. But that was not the case, it was not their Salvation, and Paul's Salvation, which was in Competition; but the Glory of God, and the common Salvation of the Jews, and Paul's particular Salvation. It was a mighty prejudice to the Gospel, that the People from whom Christ's Messengers proceeded, (for the Law went out of Zion, the Gospel came out from among the Jews,) that so many of them were prejudiced, and a mighty Eclipse to the Glory of God. Now he could lay down all his personal Happiness at God's Feet, he speaks in Supposition, if such a Case falls out. But however this is a clear Rule, the Glory of God must be preferred before our own Salvation. In some Cases there will be need of this Rule. For Instance, there's many a Man that possibly is convinced of a false Religion; and the first Question ⟨p. 145⟩Men make is, if they can be saved in such a Religion, but many Men are hardened in Popery. When therefore a Man is contented to continue in a false Religion, and dishonour God with his compliance there, provided he may be saved; he prefers his own Salvation before the Glory of God. And in case of the delay of Repentance, when Men dally with God, and put off the work of returning to the Lord until another time, or hereafter it is time enough to repent; these Men prize their Salvation before the Glory of God: If it were true upon that Supposition, that if ever they shall be saved, they are contented God shall be dishonoured a great deal longer, and that if they be saved at length, this will satisfy them.
Object. But is it lawful thus to wish to be accursed? Certainly Paul could not wish himself to love Christ less, or to be less beloved of him; for these things we cannot part with them without Sin: but in our enjoyment of Christ there is a happy part, some personal Happiness which resulteth to us; now all this he could lay at God's Feet. How so? What for others? A regular Love begins at home, and every Man is bound to look to his own Salvation first, and then the Salvation of others. But that was not the case, it was not their Salvation, and Paul's Salvation, which was in Competition; but the Glory of God, and the common Salvation of the Iews, and Paul's particular Salvation. It was a mighty prejudice to the Gospel, that the People from whom Christ's Messengers proceeded, (for the Law went out of Sion, the Gospel came out from among the Iews,) that so many of them were prejudiced, and a mighty Eclipse to the Glory of God. Now he could lay down all his personal Happiness at God's Feet, he speaks in Supposition, if such a Case falls out. But however this is a clear Rule, the Glory of God must be preferred before our own Salvation. In some Cases there will be need of this Rule. For Instance, there's many a Man that possibly is convinced of a false Religion; and the first Question ⟨p. 145⟩Men make is, if they can be saved in such a Religion, but many Men are hardned in Popery. When therefore a Man is contented to continue in a false Religion, and dishonour God with his complyance there, provided he may be saved; he prefers his own Salvation before the Glory of God. And in case of the delay of Repentance, when Men dally with God, and put off the work of returning to the Lord until another time, or hereafter it is time enough to repent; these Men prize their Salvation before the Glory of God: If it were true upon that Supposition, that if ever they shall be saved, they are contented God shall be dishonoured a great deal longer, and that if they be saved at length, this will satisfy them.
