Heautonaparnumenos

Thus at length I have made appear, how true Christian Hope is so far from being evacuated, 'tis only solidly established, by this Doctrine of Self-denial. As for all sensual Hope, let it go and perish for, what it is, a mere Cheat, and Lye, no better, for the Good, it aims at is just like Adam's forbidden fruit, and indeed was represented by it, which in appearance promised the knowledge of Good, but in effect performed nothing but the Experience of Evil. But as for those that embrace the Commandments of God, only out of Hope of the Promised Reward, as the Scripture, condescending to our Infirmities, does encourage them so, I dare not by any means presume to censure them. We condemn not Attrition, though we commend Contrition above it; neither do we condemn them that embrace Virtue for its Reward, ⟨p. 13⟩though deservedly we commend them more highly, that embrace it for it self. With the Prophet, ¹we must not despise the day of small things; and, with our Saviour, not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. But yet these are to be admonished, that such Hope is rather Legal then Evangelical, therefore that they are not to rest still in their Minority, but to grow on towards Perfection; it being a shame to a Christian not to aspire to that, which even the Heathen by their speculative Learning could descry, when one of them says, Oderunt peccare Boni virtutis amore. I have been the larger in this Point, lest this Precept of Self-denial should seem to want that main Engine of Obedience Hope of a Reward. Indeed, this seems to be the Reason why our Saviour no sooner had delivered this Precept, with its Attendants, but straight in the next Verse He prevents this main Objection against it, saying, He that will save his life shall lose it; ²but he that will lose his life for my sake, shall save it.

Thus at length I have made appeare, how true Christian Hope is so farre from being evacuated, 'tis onely solidly establisht, by this Doctrine of Self-denyall. As for all sensuall Hope, let it goe and perish for, what it is, a meere Cheat, and Lye, no better, for the Good, it aimes at is just like Adam's forbidden fruit, and indeed was represented by it, which in appearance promised the knowledge of Good, but in effect perform'd nothing but the Experience of Evill. But as for those that embrace the Commandements of God, onely out of Hope of the Promised Reward, as the Scripture, condescending to our Infirmities, does encourage them so, I dare not by any meanes presume to censure them. We condemne not Attrition, though wee commend Contrition above it; neither doe we condemne them that embrace Vertue for its Reward,