A81893:52
The great corruption of subtle self, discovered, and driven from it's lurking-places and starting-holes…The great corruption of subtile self, discovered, and driven from it's lurking-places and starting-holes…
The great corruption of subtle self, discovered, and driven from it's lurking-places and starting-holes And the contrary grace, self-denial commended, as an indispensably necessary requisite to the acceptable and successful performance of all commanded-duties, and as notably fitting for taking up of the cross, and following Christ. In seven sermons. By master James Durham, late minister of the gospel in Glasgow.The great corruption of subtile self, discovered, and driven from it's lurking-places and starting-holes And the contrary grace, self-denyal commended, as an indispensably necessary requisite to the acceptable and successfull performance of all commanded-duties, and as notably fitting for taking up of the cross, and following Christ. In seven sermons. By master James Durham, late minister of the gospel in Glasgow.
Edinburgh: printed by the heir of Andrew Anderson, 1686
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.
or when men build their peace with God, and hopes of happiness on any thing in themselves, on their duties, or their own righteousness; as the Pharisees did, who trusted in themselves, that they were righteous, Luke 18. v. 9. And these spoken of, Rom. 10. v. 3. Who being ignorant of Gods righteousness, went about to establish their own, and would not submit to the righteousness of God; this is called Self-confidence: and indeed before people can be taken off this, and be made to trust in the Living God, they must be made to despair in themselves, as 2 Cor. 1.9. clears. 4ly. This corruption of Self shows it self in this, when a man makes himself, or something in himself, as his own wisdom, will or affections, the great rule and ground of his Actions; when in this or that Action, he takes counsel from himself, and suffers Self to govern, guide and sway him, in ⟨p. 29⟩what he does; This is that which Peter was guilty of here, in the counsel that he gives to Christ, as Christ's answer clears; who tells him That he savoured not the thing that be of God, but the things that be of men; And this these wicked people spoken of Jer. 44.17. Who rejected the Word of the Lord, were guilty of, in saying, We will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth; such are called Self-willed, Tit. 1.7. and 2 Pet. 2.10. Presumptuous are they, (sayeth he) self-willed; They will not be guided; nor ruled by the counsel, or will of God, but will needs follow their own carnal wisdom, inclinations and affections, for attaining their ends. 5ly. This corruption of Self, shows it self, in too high estimation of a Mans Self, or of any thing that is in himself: and this is, either when a man has nothing in himself, to found that esteem of himself upon, When (as the Apostle speaks. Gal. 6.3. he thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing; or, it is when there may be something to found it upon, some excellent parts, moral virtues, spiritual gifts, or graces; yet he is more lifted up, and taken up with these, than he should be; This is contrary to that direction of the Apostle,