A86527:30
Heautonaparnumenos
Heautonaparnumenos: or A treatise of self-denial. Intended for the pulpit; but now committed to the press for the public benefit.Heautonaparnumenos: or A treatise of self-denyall. Intended for the pulpit; but now committed to the presse for the publike benefit.
London: printed by W. Wilson for Richard Royston, 1646
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.
Nor is this Cross an Evidence only of our Self-denial, but also a Mean to help us thereunto. Certainly, every Cross must be contrary to our selves, otherwise 'tis not a Cross; and as certain it is, our Self-denial must be performed by the help of Contraries; No fitter Mean then can be imagined, to help it forward, then the Cross. For, if, as Hippocrates and all Physicians tell us, all Cures must be performed by Contraries, we may very aptly compare Self-love to the Disease or Humour, that is to be purged out of us: the Cross to that Physic which must help to do it; and Self-denial to that expulsive Faculty, wherewith the Grace of God endues us.
Nor is this Crosse an Evidence onely of our Self-denyall, but also a Meane to helpe us thereunto. Certainly, every Crosse must be contrary to our selves, otherwise 'tis not a Crosse; and as certain it is, our Self-denyall must be perform'd by the helpe of Contraries; No fitter Meane then can be imagin'd, to helpe it forward, then the Crosse. For, if, as Hippocrates and all Physitians tell us, all Cures must be perform'd by Contraries, we may very aptly compare Selfe-love to the Disease or Humour, that is to be purged out of us: the Crosse to that Physick which must helpe to doe it; and Selfe-denyall to that expulsive Faculty, wherewith the Grace of God endues us.
As for those other words, and follow Me, they also have a plain reference to this Precept of Self-denial; as being not only our Saviour's Grant, wherein He gives full power, licence and authority to all that shall come to Him, with those two precedent Qualifications, to become His Followers and Disciples, that is, Christians: but also a Third Precept, enjoining us, with Constancy and Perseverance, to imitate the Perfectest Pattern of Self-denial in our Saviours own example, who, as the Apostle tells us,1 did not please, that is, Denied himself. Whereas therefore, we compared the Cross to that Physic, that must cure us of Self-love, we may compare this Precept to that Rule of Diet, which must prevent our Relapsing. So then, notwithstanding what can be alleged out of the words, Self-denial must still have the preeminence.