Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

And besides if there were not this necessity put upon thee, yet secondly it is best for thee, and indeed that is that which moves every one of us. It is best for th• not to seek thine own, The reason why men seek their own is because they think it best. I say it is best for thee not to seek thine own. For you know there are two ways for a man to provide for himself; one is by looking immediately to himself, and seeking the things that belong to his profit, and credit, and pleasure. The other is by neglecting himself, and by serving the Lord, and committing it to him. Now consider which is the most compendious way to a mans happiness. I say it is the next way, the best policy for a man to provide for himself, even out of self-love, it is for him not to seek his own things but the things that are Christs. For there are but two ways for a man to do good to himself. The one is direct, when his end is to do good to himself, that is his object, he goes about without any more ado; The other is when he doth it by way of reflection, that is when he serves God and men faithfully, and leaves it to him to serve him. This is the best way for a man to look to himself to serve God, not to seek his own things but the things that are Christs, why? because he cannot do as much for himself as Christ can.

And besides if there were not this necessity put upon thee, yet secondly it is best for thee, and indeed that is that which moves every one of us. It is best for th• not to seek thine own, The reason why men seek their own is because they think it best. I say it is best for thee not to seek thine own. For you know there are two wayes for a man to provide for himself; one is by looking immediately to himself, and seeking the things that belong to his profit, and credit, and pleasure. The other is by neglecting himself, and by serving the Lord, and committing it to him. Now consider which is the most compendious way to a mans happiness. I say it is the next way, the best policie for a man to provide for himself, even out of self-love, it is for him not to seek his own things but the things that are Christs. For there are but two wayes for a man to do good to himself. The one is direct, when his end is to do good to himself, that is his object, he goes about without any more ado; The other is when he doth it by way of reflexion, that is when he serves God and men faithfully, and leaves it to him to serve him. This is the best way for a man to look to himself to serve God, not to seek his own things but the things that are Christs, why? because he cannot do as much for himself as Christ can.