The deeeitfulnef of Mans heart. 277 herein; and (whatfoever our own pretences and conceics,may be)like Demetrius,pretending Didled glory againft Pauls dohrine,when yet it was his own A& r', to gaine he more fpecially intended: how often are we carried away with a reape&t of our felves, that wee might reape Come credit in the good fucceffe of our labours?And therefore excellently the Apoftle,pur- ging himfelfe of this corruption, writeth thus unto the CorinthiansgowI pray toGod that ye do no evil. L- cor,j;; 7, The Corinthians mightobje &. Thou thus prayeff:, not 13 much for our good, as for the credit of thine own Miniftery. The Apoffle therefore by way of prevention addes, not that are fhould feeme approved, having our labours thus bleffed:but that ye woiid do that which is honefl,though me be as reprobates; in an honeft deliire of your own good doe we delre is without any refpeec ofour (elves. Again, when the children of God are humbled and cart down in godly forrow for their frnaller fumes,' often up- on this occafion the heart beginneth to conceive thoughts of pride.O,there are few that take notice of fuch (mall finnes,or are fo touched for them,as I. And fo the thiefe Pride, fleales away our humility, as it doch alto all our other graces,it being almoft all one to be limply proud , as to be proud becaufe of our humility; to be uncleane,asto be proud.becaufe of our chafli,y, &c. The fourth deceit of the heart in pra&ifng,is when t v.Deceir, it caufeth us to leap from one extreame to another, hapingfrom paling by the meane ; as from prodigality,to cove- extreame to toufneffe, from Covetoufneffe to prodigality,skip_ extreame. ping over liberality. In the former leap the cove T ; taus
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