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…

because if we be proud, and provoke him, he lifteth us up in anger, that he may make our ruin and fall the greater, as the ⟨p. 20⟩Psalmist speaks, Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.

because if we be proud, and provoke him, hee lifteth us up in anger, that hee may make our ruine and fall the greater, as the ⟨p. 20⟩Psalmist speaks, Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.

Let us be the more earnestly exhorted unto the practise of this duty, by how much the more necessary it is, and fundamental unto salvation: for which purpose let us learn and put in use these few brief, but excellent Rules. 1. To exalt the Word and Counsel of God in our judgements. In matters of Faith, Worship, and Obedience, let us fetch our light from him, and not lean on our own wisdom, nor be wise in our own eyes, Prov. 23. 4. Isai. 5. 21. nor suffer natural and carnal reasonings to elude and shift off any Divine truth, whereby lust should be restrained, and conscience guided. 2. To exalt the authority of God in our wills, to say as Paul did, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? This is the great point upon which all duty hangs. The principal point in difference between God and sinners is, whose Will shall stand,¹ his or theirs. Cesset voluntas propria, non erit infernus, said Bernard truly: Conquer Will, and you conquer Hell. 3. To exalt the honour of God in all our aims. Let us be willing that it go well or ill with our selves, according as the one or the other doth most make for God's glory, and for the advancing of his Name; to say as David, If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and show me his habitation: But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee, behold here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him,