A81893:69
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.
IT is become sinfully natural to all the children of men, to exalt and lift up themselves in their own esteem and affection, above all things besides, to set Self upon the Throne in their hearts, and to make all other things subservient to it; yea, not only must all other Idols bow down before, and do homage unto this great Idol Self, (they being desired, and affected, not so much for themselves, as in a subserviency to it) but alas! the great and glorious God himself also, is, by them made to stand (as it were) at it's footstool, and it set above him, and preferred to him; so that we may say, they must needs be very blind, who see not, that amongst all the detestable things that the hearts of men are set upon, and which ⟨p. 44⟩Gods Soul hates, this is the most hateful at detestable.
IT is become sinfully natural to all the children of men, to exalt and lift up themselves in their own esteem and affection, above all things besides, to set Self upon the Throne in their hearts, and to make all other things subservient to it; yea, not only must all other Idols bow down before, and do homage unto this great Idol Self, (they being desired, and affected, not so much for themselves, as in a subserviencie to it) but alas! the great and glorious God himself also, is, by them made to stand (as it were) at it's footstool, and it set above him, and preferred to him; so that we may say, they must needs be very blind, who see not, that amongst all the detestable things that the hearts of men are set upon, and which ⟨p. 44⟩Gods Soul hates, this is the most hateful at detestable.
We show you what is the Scope of the Words; our Lord Jesus observing that Peter counsel to him, and the offence which he therein laid before him, proceeded from that bitt• root of inordinate respect to himself, who, fo• seeing his own hazard, in his Masters, do• thereupon tempt him, to respect his own ea and freedom from trouble, more than his duty (I say) our Lord observing this, and knowing how great, and common an evil this is in al men, and how much of it there is, even in, an amongst his own followers, after he hath rebuked Peter, he teaches all that will come after him this great Lesson, That they must deny themselves, and take up their cross, and follow him: from which we Observed, That Self or Selfiness, is the great thing that obstructs, lets and impedes believers, in their following of Christ; And that we might speak the more clearly, and distinctly to this Doctrine, we took it up in these three Branches. 1. That there is such a Corruption as Self, in and among Christs own Disciples. 2ly. That this Corruption comes in, insinuates it self upon, and goes alongst with Believers, in their following of Christ, and their Duty. 3ly. That this Corruption is the great thing that obstructs Believers in their following of Christ, and their duty: we have already spoken unto the first of these.