Self-denial opened and applied in a sermon before the Reverend Assembly of Divines on…Self-deniall opened and applyed in a sermon before the Reverend Assembly of Divines on…

Secondly, Specially, in regard of these personal Corruptions which we in our particulars are more notably carried unto, which David calls the keeping of himself from his own iniquity, Psal. 18. 23. for, though natural corruption, where-ever it is, be a Seminary of all sin, yet in particular persons ⟨p. 10⟩it usually putteth it self forth more notably in some particular sins. As the sap of the Earth is the fomes and matter of all kind of fruits; yet in one ground it sorts better with Wheat, in another with Barley; in this Tree it becomes a Grape, in another an Olive: so original sin in one man runs most into Avarice, in another into Sensuality, in a third into Pride and Vain-glory, and the like. We read of National sins, the lying and laziness of the Cretans, Tit. 1. 12. the curiosity and inquisitiveness of the Athenians, Acts 17. 21. the pride and cruelty of the Babylonians, Isai. 47. the robbery of the Sabeans and Chaldeans, Job 1. 15. 17. And we read of Personal sins, the stubbornness of Pharaoh, the gainsaying of Corah, the envy of Saul, the churlishness of Nabal, the ambition of Absalom, the intemperance of Felix, the sorcery of Simon Magus, &c. Thus particular persons have their more proper sins, whereby they have most of all dishonoured God, withstood his Spirit, neglected and resisted his Grace, and defiled their own Consciences; and therefore in Conversation, though Repentance, as an Hound, drive the whole Herd of sin before it, yet the dart of the Word sticks most in this sin, which is thereby singled out for a more particular detestation.

Secondly, Specially, in regard of these personal Corruptions which we in our particulars are more notably carried unto, which David calls the keeping of himself from his own iniquity, Psal. 18. 23. for, though natural corruption, where-ever it is, be a Seminary of all sin, yet in particular persons ⟨p. 10⟩