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

Besides, consider what an unreasonable thing it is, thou mayest not seek thy self. It is true God may seek himself, and his own end; he is the utmost cause, there is none before him; there is no end beyond him, he may therefore do all for his own end, for his own glory, he may seek his own things. But thou art a creature, and every creature stands in subordination to somewhat above it: therefore thy happiness is in seeking another's end; if thou seek thy own end, thou turnest the course of nature; therefore thou art bound to do it.

Besides, consider what an unreasonable thing it is, thou mayest not seek thy self. It is true God may seek himself, and his own end; he is the utmost cause, there is none before him; there is no end beyond him, he may therefore do all for his own end, for his own glory, he may seek his own things. But thou art a creature, and every creature stands in subordination to somewhat above it: therefore thy happiness is in seeking anothers end; if thou seek thy own end, thou turnest the course of nature; therefore thou art bound to do it.

Again, when thou seekest thy self and thine own things, what dost thou please? Thy flesh, thy disease, thou givest it that it calls for, that will destroy thee. He that hearkeneth to and gratifies his disease, strengthens his disease and kills himself. So, when a man hearkens to himself, to his own lusts and desires that the flesh requires of him, (for whatsoever is contrary to this grace here, is but the flesh, that the more thou hearkenest to, thou strengthenest that which will be thy destruction; because thou dost not withdraw from it that fuel that it desires: Therefore it is best for thee in all respects, not to seek thy own things but the things of Christ.

Again, when thou seekest thy self and thine own things, what dost thou please? Thy flesh, thy disease, thou givest it that it calls for, that will destroy thee. He that hearkeneth to and gratifies his disease, strengthens his disease and kills himself. So, when a man hearkens to himself, to his own lusts and desires that the flesh requires of him, (for whatsoever is contrary to this grace here, is but the flesh, that the more thou hearkenest to, thou strengthenest that wihch will be thy destruction; because thou dost not withdraw from it that fuel that it desires: Therefore it is best for thee in all respects, not to seek thy own things but the things of Christ.