Spiritual desertions discovered and remedied. Being the substance of divers sermons preached for the…

2. Carry it very humbly; beware of being li•ted up in your minds with this privilege. There is a pride remaining in the best; and its most dangerous efforts are in respect of the best things, in the Children of God. As to poor carnal minds, which know no better, they are apt to be proud of their Wealth, Strength, Beauty, Bravery, &c. which possibly you can look upon with a great deal of contempt: but Gods Children are in hazard of being proud of their spiritual gifts, and graces, and comforts too. You will be temp•ed to think that there was some peculiar worth in you, which God observed, which made him to be so familiar with you: but take heed; say as, Psal. 115.1. Not unto us, &c. And here consider, that there is nothing which will sooner provoke God to alter his carriage towards y•u, than pride and self conceitedness: remember what he hath said, Isa. 57.15. I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that ⟨p. 102⟩is of an humble and contrite spirit: this humble carriage is the most likely course to enjoy the continuance of such a favour.

2. Carry it very humbly; beware of being li•ted up in your minds with this priviledge. There is a pride remaining in the best; and its most dangerous efforts are in respect of the best things, in the Children of God. As to poor carnal minds, which know no better, they are apt to be proud of their Wealth, Strength, Beauty, Bravery, &c. which possibly you can look upon with a great deal of contempt: but Gods Children are in hazard of being proud of their spiritual gifts, and graces, and comforts too. You will be temp•ed to think that there was some peculiar worth in you, which God observed, which made him to be so familiar with you: but take heed; say as, Psal. 115.1. Not unto us, &c. And here consider, that there is nothing which will sooner provoke God to alter his carriage towards y•u, than pride and self conceitedness: remember what he hath said,