NOthing can be more near and Dear to any one , than Himself , and all other things are priz'd and embrac'd as they lead to this Centre self ; and the best things are most pleasing or acceptable ; all would have the best House , Estate , Health , and Friends ; and such as are wise know the difference , and choose what is best , and refuse what is bad and hurtful ; but that man that is really good , Religious , and found in heart and life , is the only truly wise man that chooseth the true , and the best good . Now , because there are so few of these ( though most , all seek themselves , yet they are generally deceiv'd about themselves , and what is really good for themselves ) I was willing to Treat of this weighty , searching and awakening Subject , to perswade all men to look to themselves ; If self , that Soul and Body of thine be lost to all Eternity , what is all the World to thee ? what though Hundreds and Thousands about thee flourish and prosper , Job 14.21 , 22. if thou art tormented , roaring in pain and horror ? What if many others be sav'd , and walking on in wayes of righteousness , be throw Jesus Christ mounted up to Eternal and matchless Glory ; and you through your wickedness , and self-neglect , and deceivings , fall down into Everlasting Burnings ? Nay , what are all the matters of this World , and the other to you , whether others prosper or not , if you are undone ? Certainly , nothing can be more acceptable , ( if rightly understood ) than good Counsel to perswade men to be truly wise , honourable , great , rich , and Eternally happy . But the most mistake themselves , and their own real good : They take the Sensual , Carnal , Wordly , Bodily self to be the main , their all ; hence all their Care , Thoughts , Fears , Hopes , Joyes , and Sorrows are about this false self ; and so they are deluded and lost ; and thus mistaking self , they are deceiv'd about other matters ; taking that to be truly good , and only good that gratifies and pleaseth this sinfull , sensual self ; so their great care is what to Eat , and what to Drink , and what to put on ; and choose and seek after the most , the best of those lower thing ; and daily , and foolishly neglect their Souls , their main , their only self , and the great and good things that conduce to the happiness , and Eternal welfare of the Soul . Therefore , Mat 6.19 . John 6.27 . Col. 3.1 , 2. 1 John 2.15 . God in his Word commands men off from these things below , and chargeth them to look to things above . Yet men , the most , the highest , seemingly the wisest , will not be convinc'd of their folly and gross mistake ; but will deceive and destroy themselves , and be undone for ever . May I be Instrumental by this Treatise , to recover and save but one perishing Soul , to bring one prodigal home to his true real self , and so to his Heavenly Father , to bring him off from the Swine and Husks of this World to his Fathers House , Table richly spread , Bread enough , the fatted Calf ; nay , to his Fathers Armes , his Heart and to all the rich Dainties and Cloathing and Ornaments , and set himself on the other side of Soul destroying danger , I shall be well satisfied , and bless God for the undertaking . I cannot pretend to any great Atchievements ; God is my Witness , I value not the Applause nor contempt of this low sorry World ; my main design is the Salvation of your Souls , and that whilst I write to you , I may not be a Castaway . I had the Subject and whole Treatise in my mind long before , and only chose this Text to suit the matter to it . God's Word carries with it its own Authority and Majesty .

These words are an Argument to enforce that Counsel which the Apostle gave in 1. 2. v. to stronger Christians , that they should not insult over their weaker lapsed Brethren , nor superciliously reject them , {αβγδ} . but pity them , and put them broken in joint again . It 's not quite cut off , only disjointed , consider his Pain and Disorder , be tender , be pitifull , handle him gently , not roughly and rudely . You are Brethren , he is overtaken in a Fault , by a sudden and violent temptation ; he is not one that makes a trade of Sin , that wallows in it . Many Arguments are made use of , you are Brethren , Members of the same Body , Children of the same Father , and of the same Houshold ; ( again ) you are Spiritual , this belongs not only to Pastors & Governours , who should above all be Spiritual Men ; but to all good Christians , you have the Spirit of Christ , that is a Spirit of meekness and tenderness ; Col. 3.12 . you have Spiritual Gifts and Graces ; you as the Elect of God , Rom , 14.1 . Chap. 15.1 Nihil tam ad miserecordiam inclinat . qu●m propriip●riculi cogi atio . Aug. have put on Bowels of Mercies and Kindness ; you are grown , and strong . The Apostle in that 1 Cor . 3.1 . takes [ Spiritual ] for such as are strong Christians , and so are able and should forbear and bear with the Infirmities of the Weak .

Besides consider your selves [ {αβγδ} viewing thy self , you are in the Body , subject to Sin , to Temptations and falling . You should therefore bear the Burdens , v. 2. Suppose it meant of the load of sin , not indulge or incourage them in sin , Ps. 38.29 . One upbraided with sins of Youth , said , Hi homines mihi vident gratiam Dei . but apply healing Balm to their Wounds : Christ your Saviour came to take off this Burden , when they grown , and sweat , and sigh , and sink , and find it too heavy , administer promises , God revives the contrite , least the Spirit should fail , 53 Isa . 15.16 . You should conceal and hide , and cover with the Garment of Righteousness what they lay open ; and not upbraid and expose them , as wicked Men do .

Let it be meant of the bond of Tryals and Afflictions ; and so shame , trouble , anguish , horror and confusion , and it may be some heavy stroke from God , may follow and attend their Fall , those call for succour and support . Pity me , O my Friends , Rom. 12.15 . you should weep with them that weep , as you must weep for others that cannot that will not weep for themselves ; this tenderness and pity to others is backt with a powerful Argument , you so fulfill the Law of Christ , the Law of a meek , loving and kind Saviour , and especially that blessed command of loving one another ; and upon this brings in this in my Text , [ For if a Man , &c. ] q . d . He that comparing himself with others , finds himself preserv'd from Evils in which others have been entangl'd , and thereupon becomes Arrogant and Censorious , and upon such grounds conceits himself to be in a state of Grace and Safety , he deceiveth himself .

In the Words we have , 1. A common and dangerous mistake intimated , For if a Man , &c. 2. The proper means to rectify that mistake : But let every Man , &c. 3. A double Motive to quicken to this necessary Duty . 1. If upon Tryal he finds all Will within , then shall he have rejoycing , &c. 2. Good or not , every Man shall bear his own burden .

1. In the mistake . The Subject's {αβγδ} Indefinitely , be he what he will , especially with respect to his Spiritual State .

( 1. ) If he be regenerate , then if by reason of his present standing , he thinks the degree or measure of his Grace to be Superiour to what it is indeed , or that such is his safety , that he may be secure and confident he is under a dangerous mistake .

( 2. ) If he be unregenerate ; then , if because of his Education , common Gifts , external Profession , customary Performance of Duties , or on any other account , he thinks himself in a State of Grace , a Child of God and an Heir of Glory , he miserably deceives himself , and is really nothing what he thinks himself to be .

2. The false Judgment , that ariseth upon such gross mistakes [ {αβγδ} ] seemeth to be something [ or some body ] .

This may have respect to ,

1. The Opinion of others . So a Man may seem to be something , as Gal. 2.6 . they seemed to be somewhat . Thus many appear to others Humble that are Proud , zealous and lively in Religion , that are inwardly lukewarm , nay , dead , and quite cold .

Thus a Person truly godly may be esteemed in some particular respects above what is meet . The Apostle was jealous and afraid , least some should think him better , than really he was , 2 Cor . 12.6 . This hath troubl'd some humble Christians , that they have been commended and admir'd above what they knew they really were .

But the other is more dangerous and destructive , which is what I shall mostly prosecute : When a Man seems to be truly godly to others , and he is not so at all , but false at Heart ; appear as Angels of Light , 2 Cor . 11.13 , 14 , 15. but really are Devils Incarnate , as Christ found Judas was , though none of the Apostles express their Jealousie of him , but each said , Master , is it I ? Not is it Judas . A man may seem to be Religious , and deceive his own Heart , and his Religion vain , nothing , a meer empty shew . Jam . 1. last . How many thousands such are there under Gospel Light , that are really nothing , and yet appear to others something ? The Lord help us against this dangerous delusion , or we are undone .

( 2. ) Or the Opinion a Man hath of himself , he may think himself [ something ] . One would think it impossible that Men should so grossly deceive themselves . Yet we read of some , that are wretched , and miserable , and poor , and blind , and naked , and yet not know it ; Rev. 3.17 . nay , say they are rich and increased with Goods , and have need of nothing . How many in all Ages and Countries , in all Towns and Villages , I had almost said in every Family , are thus deluded .

3. The true State of the Case [ {αβγδ} ] he is nothing . Whatever others think of him ignorantly , and he foolishly and wilfully thinks of himself , he is not one grain the better , he is really just nothing , and so will appear at the great Tryal , when his rotten empty inside shall be laid open ; no true Grace , nor love to God , no sorrow for , nor hatred of Sin , as vile , or bad , or worse than the vilest .

4 We have the dreadful issue and sad effect of such Gross mistakes , he deceiveth himself , he wrongs , he ruines and destroys himself , and continuing in this mistake and deceit , murders himself , and is undone to all Eternity .

Obser . He that thinks himself to be some what , when he is nothing , deceiveth himself .

Here are three Enquiries .

1. What it is for a Man to think himself to be something ?

Ans. 1. in general . It is for a Man to have great and high thoughts of himself : As it is said of Theudas , Acts 5.36 . boasting [ {αβγδ} ] saying , speaking out himself to be some extraordinary considerable Person : And Simon Magnus , Acts 8.9 . {αβγδ} , making himself some great Person : Yet Paul tells him after his pretended Conversion and Baptisme v. 21.22 . what really he was , that his Heart was not right in the sight of God , and had neither Part nor Lot in that matter , nay , v. 23. tells him he was so far from it , that he was in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity : This denotes not only this to be in him , as his Original Sin , but some high degree of sin ; and yet Ecclesiastical Writers tell us , that he was so eminent and admir'd amongst the People , that he was even ador'd as a God , and a Statue was set up for him in Rome , with this Inscription on it , To Simon the Holy God . Some write that he did labour to possess them that he was the Messias ; the People cry him up strangely v. 10. To him they all gave heed , from the least to the greatest , saying , This man is , not hath , but is the great Power of God . How far may men go , and dazle the Eyes of the World , and for a long time , v. 11. and yet be in a dangerous , desperate , damnable condition ? Had we the extraordinary searching spirit of the Apostle , might we not say so to many , may it not be said to many of us . Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter .

2 More particularly , according to the intendment of the Text , it may respect one of these two things .

1. Degrees of Grace , Eminency and Growth : A man may think himself stronger and richer in Grace , than really he is , and consequently his Confidence may rise above his Strength ; thus a Man thinking himself stronger , he may take too heavy a burden on him , or taller , may venture into deep Water , to his prejudice and hurt .

A Mans mistake in judging of the degrees and measure of his Grace , may betray him in three Instances .

1. It may embolden him to adventure upon such undertakings and employments , as are above his Abilities . Rom. 2.18 , 19 , 20. compar'd with 1 Tim . 1.7 . Thus many step out of their Callings and Places , as fancying themselves born for higher and greater things . How many do in all Ages confidently thrust themselves into the ministry for a livelihood , and bold , and high , and conceited ; when the Apostle says , Who is sufficient for those things ? How many could answer confidently they are , at least in their own thoughts , though in the esteem of few others . David was of another temper , Psal . 131.1 . Mine heart is not haughty , nor mine eyes lofty , neither do I exercise my self in great matters , nor in things too high for me . But v. 2. there is a great deal in that short Psalm , that many may be a long time learning by Heart , though easie by Head .

2. In adventuring upon Temptations and occasions of sin . Peter's Confidence carried him to the High Priests Hall , Mark 14.29 , 30 , 31. and there he denied Christ . In such Cases a Man should consider his own Strength , and especially God's Call and Conduct . When good men fall into Sin , it 's usually either from remissness , when a Spirit of Slumber seaseth on them , or from carnal confidence , presuming beyond their attainments . We pray lead us not into temptation , and yet lead our selves into them .

( 3. ) In bearing the Cross . Here also one may conceit his Strength more than he finds it in a Tryal . John 13.36 , 37. Peter thought himself stronger than he was ; though all forsake , yet not I , I will dye with , and for thee ; and so threw himself into the Seas , had not his Saviour been there and help'd , he had Perish'd . So should we in many a Storm and Tryal , for all our Strength and Grace receiv'd and attain'd , if not supported immediately by Divine Power . Prov. 24.10 . How many find , by their fainting in a day of Adversity , that their Strength is small , which they thought before great . Many bold and boasting in Peace and Calm , that tremble in a Battle , or Storm .

2. But especially I shall handle it here , as mistaking about the truth of Grace , about Mens Spiritual State and Condition . A Man may think that he is rais'd from Death to Life , when he is quite dead in Sins and Trespasses . The Jews thought themselves the Children of God , Joh . 8.41 . to 44. when Christ told them , they were of their Father the Devil , though they were the Seed of Abraham . Rev. 3 , 1. The Chureh of Sardis had a name that they lived , v. 16.17 . but they were really dead : And the Church of Laodicea were such as God would spue out of his Mouth , such as God's Soul abhorr'd as wretched and abominable . You may think your selves sure of Heaven , Mat . 7.22 . Ch. 25.11 . and yet be excluded ; and yet how hard is it to convince such persons , whilst they are alive , till it be too late ?

2ly . What is it to be nothing ?

Ans. 1. More generally .

( 1. ) That is said to be nothing , that is not what it is supposed to be . 1 Cor . 8.4 . An Idol is nothing . The Gold and other materials are something . In genere entis . But an Idol is nothing . i . e . It is not God as Idolaters suppose . They have Eyes , Ps. 115.5 , to 8. Jon . 2.8 . Hab. 2.18 . but see not , Ears but hear not ; as blind and dead are they that make them , and those that trust in them . Hence Idols are stiled vanities and lies , & Nihilitates {αβγδ} , Lev . 26.1 . So that if we appear to be what we really are not ; we are and may be said to be just nothing . Our feigned Prayers , Hypocritical Fasts , Vain-glorious Almes , all our seeming , pretended good works are just nothing , and God will cast them back , as Dung in our Faces , and such a Wretch may be said to have done God no Service all his Life . God will say , I never knew you , that is , such as you pretended to be .

( 2. ) That is said to be nothing , 1 Cor . 3.7 . Paul and Apollos not any thing . 1 Cor . 7.19 . Acts 15.1 . which hath not that weight and worth in it , which it 's thought it had . Thus the Apostle saith Circumcision is nothing , whereas some thought it absolutely necessary to Salvation ; as , no doubt , many now a dayes presume on their Baptisme , and their being called Christians : Alas ! all this is nothing , unless we have the Hearts and Lives and Tongues of Christians . Not but that Gods Ordinances are of great worth in themselves , and a real blessing to them that rightly receive them ; but to others that are wicked , and continue in their sins , it s just nothing . As it may be , Rom. 9.4 , 5 , 6. better they had been born amongst Heathens , Turks and Infidels . What is the Bible , Sermons , Prayers , Sacraments to those that believe not , nor obey the Word , nor get good by it ? all just nothing , or worse than nothing .

2. More particularly , as to those instances before mention'd .

1. As to degrees of Grace . A man may think he hath attain'd more strength of Grace than he hath , so that he being simply consider'd he is something , yet comparatively to what he imagines himself , he is nothing . Thus all Nations compar'd with God , Isa . 40.17 . are said to be nothing , because they are as a drop of the Bucket to the Ocean , or a small dust to the whole World . Many flourishing gaudy Professours may be just nothing , to what they seem to the World , and to themselves .

2. But he that thinks he hath true Grace , and hath it not , is just nothing . He hath not so much as the root of the matter in him , he is not the bruised Reed , nor smoaking Flax ; nor hath the least dram of Grace . He hath not one sin pardon'd , nor one Duty or Service good and accepted . Poor Wretch , not the least Life or Breathing , but wholly dead ; not an Eye open to see the ugliness of Sin , or the beauty of Holiness , not a Faith as a grain of Mustard-seed . Though Isa . 58.2 , 3. they did delight seemingly to approach to God , and did fast and afflict their Souls so , that they challenge God's observance and owning ; God in the 5. v. tells them to their Faces , that it was not his Fast , such as he did choose and account acceptable : Hos . 7.14.16 . And God else-where tells them , they had not cry'd to him with their Heart , when they howl'd and made a great noise , some returning their seem'd to be , but not to the most High . How many seeming great and commendable services were cast to the Dunghill ? Isa . 1.11 , &c. A Multitude of Sacrifices , Burnt-offerings of Rams , Fat of fed Beasts , Blood of Bullocks , Lambs , and of Hee Goats , appearing before God , treading his Courts , Oblations , Incense , new Moons , Sabbaths , calling of Assemblies , Solemn Meetings , New Moons , appointed Feasts , spreading forth the Hands , making many Prayers ; here is nothing mention'd but what God commanded and approv'd of ; here is not mention'd the Torn , the Lame , the Blind , the Female ; but the Fat , the best ; and yet because the persons were not really good and sincere and pure that did all this ; how many expressions have you to shew God's abhorrence and indignation , as if it were against Swearing , and Drunkenness , To what purpose is it , that is , to none at all , you loose your pains and time . I am full of them , that is , so to loath them and cast them out . I delight not in them , there is a Meiosis . I abhorre them , who hath required this , might they not have answer'd , Lord , thou hast commanded it , Ay , but not from such Persons . God says else-where , Ps. 50.16 . What hast thou to do to take my name into thy Mouth . They are all vain , not only empty and unprofitable , but they are an abomination to me , I cannot away with them , it is Iniquity , you think it Righteousness and Goodness , why it 's abominable wickedness . My Soul hateth them , that expresseth the greatest indignation and abhorrence ; nay , they are a trouble unto me , you think you please me , I am weary to hear them . You hope I will behold and see , hear and pity , no , I will hide mine Eyes , and stop mine Ears , I will not hear what can be said more to convince a people of their folly and mistake in deceiving themselves this way . Should one say to some , your swearing and cursing , and drunkenness , and uncleanness is an abomination to God ; or your Idleness and Pride and Covetousness God's Soul abhorrs , they may believe us ; but should we say , your Preaching , your hearing many Sermons , your Prayers , your Sacraments , are an abomination to the Lord , he is weary to hear them , he hides his Eyes , he will not hear you , how angry would many be ? What more horrid than Murder ? more contemptible than a Dogs Neck ? especially if offer'd to God ; what more abominable than Idolatry ? nay , than blessing an Idol ? what more provoking , than offering Swines Blood to God ? which was an abomination to the Jews themselves .