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

In following a man, a man may hurt himself, he may be led into by-ways, that may turn to his disadvantage; but in following God it is not so. Take the wisest man that is, yet he is subject to some error, but the Lord he is righteous altogether, his ways are perfect. Therefore if a man would take that resolution to himself; Well, I will look upon my self no more, nor to any creature, but I will deny my self altogether, and look to God, and see what he will have me to do, whether I sink or swim, whatsoever becomes of me: this is the ⟨p. 246⟩wisest man, and the happiest man; and this is the property of godliness. And as you do this the more, so the more you are godly men. And the root of all this is, when a man makes no account of himself, and sees God in all: for a man will have a ground for what he doth.

In following a man, a man may hurt himself, he may be led into by-wayes, that may turn to his disadvantage; but in following God it is not so. Take the wisest man that is, yet he is subject to some error, but the Lord he is righteous altogether, his wayes are perfect. Therefore if a man would take that resolution to himself; Well, I will look upon my self no more, nor to any creature, but I will deny my self altogether, and look to God, and see what he will have me to do, whether I sink or swim, whatsoever becomes of me: this is the ⟨p. 246⟩wisest man, and the happiest man; and this is the property of godliness. And as you do this the more, so the more you are godly men. And the root of all this is, when a man makes no account of himself, and sees God in all: for a man will have a ground for what he doth.

And if you could bring your hearts to this, to see all your happiness in God, and all your safety there, you would soon deny your selves in every thing else, and seek him altogether.