A68107:1154
Of domesticall duties eight treatises. I. An exposition of that part of Scripture out…
Of domesticall duties eight treatises. I. An exposition of that part of Scripture out of which domesticall duties are raised. ... VIII. Duties of masters. By William Gouge.
London: printed by John Haviland for William Bladen, 1622London: printed by Iohn Haviland for William Bladen, 1622
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. 58. Of spiritual self-love.
§. 58. Of spirituall selfe-loue.
Spiritual self-love is that which is supernaturally wrought in man by Gods Spirit: whereby he is both enlightened to discern what is most excellent, and best for him, and also moved to choose the same: so as this serveth to rectify the former. Hence it cometh to pass that their chiefest care is for their souls, and for the eternal salvation thereof: for the furthering whereof they can be content as need requireth, to fbeat down their body, to gdeny them sometimes their ordinary refreshing by food, rest, and other like means, yea and to hsuffer them to be imprisoned, racked, and otherwaies tortured, and life it self to be taken from them. This men do, 4and suffer, not for want of natural affection, but by reason of spiritual affection which persuades them that it is good for them it should be so, A man is not therefore to be said not to love the health and safety of his body because he loveth something more. For a covetous man though he love his money, yet he can be content to part with it for bread to nourish his body: so a spiritual man though he love his life, yet he can be content to lose it for his souls salvation. For he loveth himself sufficiently, who doth his best to enjoy the chiefest and truest good. This spiritual affection extendeth it self as 5