Thirdly, The notes and signs of self-denial. There are exclusive and inclusive marks. Exclusive marks will show us when self is not denied ; then inclusive marks follow, wherein we may take comfort.
1. Exclusive notes for conviction, how we may know when self is iu dominion and sovereignty. It is a sign self is exalted and in dominion —
[1.] When a man did never set himself to thwart his own desires. Car- nal indulgence makes lust a wanton. When we cocker our lusts, they grow contumacious and stubborn. They that gratify their senses and wallow in all fleshly delights, never knew what it was to be exer- cised in Ciu-ist's school ; a man that cannot deny his ease and pleasure is not fit for Christ : Eccles. ii. 11, ' Whatever my eyes desired. I kept not from them ; I withlield not my heart from any joy.' When men can remit nothing of their vanity and luxury they make Christianity to be but a notion and an empty pretence ; they are men and women of jileasure, when Jesus Christ was a man of sorrows. The children of God are always wont to cross themselves in things which they most afiect ; as David poured out the water of Bethlehem when he longed for it. It is good sometimes to make such an ex[)eriment upon our- selves ; we may find out many images of jealousy, if we would try whether we could deny ourselves in what we most afiect.
[2.] By an impatiency iu our natures when w^e are crossed by others. Self seems to be a very delicate and tender thing ; we cannot endure to be crossed in our opinions and interests, or in the accomplishment of our lusts. Haman is sick, and cast upon his bed, because he wanted Mordecai's knee. Always our affliction argues the greatness of our afi'ection. It should be the eXd-^iaTov, ' the smallest thing,' as the apostle .siiith, ' to be judged of men,' 1 Cor. iv. 3. When men have set a high price and value upon themselves, they aie vexed when others will not come up to their price. John died for crossing Herod in hisHerodias ; Jonah made his gourd to be a piece of himself, he prized it too much, as ap])ears by his great vexation when God had smitten it. Fretting and murmuring show what is the tender part of our souls, and what we have made as part of ourselves.
[3.] When a man is loath to be a loser by religion. Some are of cheap and vile spirits, they love a gospel without charges, as the apostle speaks, 1 Cor. ix. 18, can be content to serve God so as they may be at no expense for God. Look, as we should count and reckon upon the charges before we profess religion ; so after profession we should ask conscience wliat it hath cost us to be godly, at what expense we have been at for Jesus Christ, since we have espoused Christ and religion. David would not serve God with that which cost him nought. If a man were told that his way to such a place is encumbered with briers
VOL. XY. N
194 A TREATISE OF SELF-DENIAL. [BoOK I.
and thorns, and that he must ride through many dirty lanes, and must look for scratcliing brambles, and many miry places, now when he seeth nothing but a green and pleasant path, he would think he had mis- taken and lost his way ; so when you are told your way to heaven is a strait way, and tbat religion will put you upon self-denial of your pleasure, profit, and carnal desires, and yet you never wrestled with your lusts, nor quitted anything for Christ, and meet with nothing, but jileasure, profit and delight in the profession of religion, you may well think that you are mistaken in the way, and it is a great sign you are yet to seek in the duty which Christ's scholars must practise.
[4.] When the heart is grieved for the good of othei's, it is a sign self is then in dominion. Many can rejoice and please themselves when God hath been glorified by some act of their own, but they are grieved when the work is done by others ; selfish and carnal men would fain make a monopoly of religion. Oh ! consider, such a temper is a sign that self is too dear and near to us. We should be as glad if Grod bo glorified by others as when ourselves are the instruments of his glory. Luther said, Si nos non sumus d{gni,fiat per alios — My design is, that the work of Grod may be done ; and if I be not worthy, let the work of God be done by others. So Paul ; Phil. i. 15, 16, Many preach the gospel, supposing to add affliction to my bonds; yet if the gospel is preached, I therein rejoice, and will rejoice. It is a Pharisee's spirit to malign and envy the good of others : John xii. 19, ' Behold, all the world goes after him, and we prevail nothing ; ' they were vexed Christ had so much of the respects of the people. Men would monopolise all respect to their faction, and keep up a devotion to their interest ; this made the elder brother envy at the prodigal's return, Luke xv. When we envy the gifts and graces of others, and their esteem in the world, it is a sign self remains in sovereignty and dominion. Man}^ because they would shine alone, are apt to blast and censure the repute of others, and malign the grace wrought in them, whereas we should rather re- joice therein.