Reafons of the Neceflity of Se6cdenyal to falvation. to themi-elves the Prerogatives of God. I. They would be their own End and look no further. z. They life all Creatures but as means to this End ; yea God htmfelf is etleemed but for them- felves. 3. They love their prefent Life and Profperity better then God. 4. They would be their own, and live as their own, and not as thofe that are none of their own. 5. They would have the Creatures to be their Own , and ufe them as their Own, and not as God's. 6. Theymull care for themfelves, and shift for themfelves, and dare not truft themfelves wholly upon God. 7. They would difpofe of themfelves and their own con- ditions, and of all things elfe. 8. They would Rule themfelves, andbe from under the Laws and Government of God. 9. They would be the Rulers of all others, and have all men do their wills. 1o. And they would behonoured and admired by all,and have the praife afcribed to them. And if all this be not tO fet up themfelves as Gods or Idols in the world, I know not what is Certainly God is fo far from having a thought of laving ft/eh vile Idolaters (in this Condition) that they are the princi- pal objeas of his high difpleafure, and the fairett Marks for his Jullice to fhoot at and he is engaged to pull them down and tread them into hell: fhould God (land by and fee a company of rebellious finners fit down in his Throne, or ufurphis Soveraign- ty and Divine Prerogatives, and let them alone, yea and ad- vance them to his Glory ? No, he bath refolved that he that humbled; himfelf (hall be exalted, and he that exaltetb himfelf fhall be brought low. And what higher felf exaltation can there be, then to make our felves as gods to our tellies ? ./%nd there- fore who should be brought lower then Inch ? Real. 3. 1110 man can be a Chriflian that takes not Chrift for his Lord and Saviour : But no man without this felfdenyal can take Cbrift for 'di Lord and Saviour : and therefore no man without felf-denyal can be a Chriftian, and fo be faved. He that makes bimfelf his End, cannot make Chrift as Chrift his way : for Chrift is the way to the Father, and not to Carnal- felf. Nay the bufinefi that Chrift came upon into the world, was to pull down and fubdue this fell. Moreover whoever taketh Chrift for his Saviour, mull know from what it is that he muff fan him ; and that is principally from felf : And no man can;
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