The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

But yet here, as in most other Spiritual things, one of the worst of Vices is ready to impose it self in the room and place of the best of our Graces. And this is, Self-pleasing in the Performance of the Duty. This instead of a Grace steeped in Humility, as all true Grace is, is a vile effect of Spiritual Pride, or the offering of a Sacrifice unto our own Net and Drag. It is a glorying in the Flesh; for whatever of Self any doth glory in, it is but Flesh. When men have had enlargements in their Expressions, and especially when they apprehend that others are satisfied or affected therewith, they are apt to have a secret Self-pleasing in what they have done, which before they are aware turns into Pride and a noxious Elation of mind. The same may befall men in their most Secret Duties, performed outwardly by the Aid of Spiritual Gifts. But this is most remote from and contrary unto that Spiritual Complacency in Duty which we speak of, which yet it will pretend unto, until it be diligently Examined. The Language of this Spiritual Complacency is, I will go in the strength of the Lord God, I will make mention of thy Righteousness, of thine only, Psal. 71.16. That of Spiritual Pride is; God I thank thee that I have done thus and thus; as it was expressed by the Pharisee. That is in God alone, this is in Self. That draws forth the Savour of all Graces: this immediately covereth and buries them all, if there be any in the S•ul. That fills the Soul eminently with Humility and Self-abasement; this with a lifting up of the mind, and Proud Self-conceit. That casts out all Remembrance of what we have done our selves, retaining ⟨p. 41⟩only a sense of what we have received from God, of the impressions of his Love and Grace. This blots out all Remembrance of what we have freely received from God, and retains only what we have done our selves. Wherever it is, there is no due sense either of the Greatness or Goodness of God.

But yet here, as in most other Spiritual things, one of the worst of Vices is ready to impose it self in the room and place of the best of our Graces. And this is, Self-pleasing in the Performance of the Duty. This instead of a Grace steeped in Humility, as all true Grace is, is a vile effect of Spiritual Pride, or the offering of a Sacrifice unto our own Net and Drag. It is a glorying in the Flesh; for whatever of Self any doth glory in, it is but Flesh. When men have had enlargements in their Expressions, and especially when they apprehend that others are satisfied or affected therewith, they are apt to have a secret Self-pleasing in what they have done, which before they are aware turns into Pride and a noxious Elation of mind. The same may befall men in their most Secret Duties, performed outwardly by the Aid of Spiritual Gifts. But this is most remote from and contrary unto that Spiritual Complacency in Duty which we speak of, which yet it will pretend unto, untill it be diligently Examined. The Language of this Spiritual Complacency is, I will go in the strength of the Lord God, I will make mention of thy Righteousness, of thine only,