Chap. 33. An Expofsxion upsn the I3ookof o B. Verf. 17. 323 received five talents ( 2, ç. ) had brought only two ta- lents more, ánetföniä.de his five (even, this had it been propor- tionable 'ör`'if he that had received two ,.. had made them three, this had not been proportionable ; but he that received five, brought ten; and he that received two, brought foure ; This 2ë- count was proportionable to the receipt ; and therefore to thee their Lord ffyd, Well done good and fa,thfull fervants. God looks for doubling, ( as I may fay ) that we fhould make his five ten, his two foure. Thereforewhy (buildan7manbe proud of what he bath received, feeing the more he hath received, the more great and flriaer will his account be. Fifthly , That pride maybe cured and hid from your- eyes, `I advife, That in the midit of your fullnefs, you would think of your emptinefs, and in the mi ft of your perfctlions, ofyour deficiencies ; think howmuch, and in how many things you are wanting, when any thought of pride arifeth concerning whatyou enjoy,or where in you abound. He that thinks how much he is wanting, will not be proud howmuch foever he aboundeth ; and indeed our want- ings being a great deale more then our aboundings, and our im perfec`lions then our perfebiions, fhould be to us greater matter of humbling, thenour abounding or perfeelions can be anoccafi- on of pride. To cleare this further , Confider your deficiencies two wayes Firft, in your felves ; confider how low you are in knowledge, how low ingrace, how low in duty ; remember that there is a great deale of darknefs in the bell of your light,a great deale of water in the bell of your wine , and a great deale of (has in the purefl of your flyer remember thefe tveákneffes in your felves, and then fay asbleffedPaul(Phil: 5, 22.) I count not that I have already attained ; that is, that I have attained per= fedlion, I am very much behinde, very much below myduty, I ambelowwhat I might be and haveattained to,both in the light ofknowledge, and in the flrength of grace. T am below whit I might be attained ro,both as to zeale for,and as to faith in God. O how many are ow-deficiencies whenwe have profited molt Secondlÿ,Confider your deficiencies in reference to others; The Apoille faith (z Cor. r.o.r Z.) They who compare themfelves with themfelves are not wife. The reafon why manythink themfelves ever-wife,is,becaufe they do not (vas theyought). compare them- felveswith others, or if they compare themfelves with others, T c z they
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=