CHAPTER XLII – 2. The love and commendations of others to be denied
thus exalted; but it is a work of pride and self-seeking in others. Deny yourselves so far as to submit to government and dignity, and bear it patiently if it be cast upon you, as being an excellent opportunity of serving God; but wish not for it, because of the honour and advantages to the flesh; much less contend for it, or set your hearts on it. He that seeketh an office or honour for himself, must have another heart before he will use it for God. It is better with Saul to hide ourselves from honour, than with Absalom to contrive and seek it; but best of all with David to stay till God call us, and then obey.
CHAPTER XLII
The Love and good Word of others Denied 2. ANOTHER part of selfish interest to be denied, is the love, and good will, and word of others. This is a thing that may and must be desired to good ends; but not for carnal self. When Paul looked at God's honour and the good of souls, he "became all things to all men that he might by all means save some;" and this he did, not for self but for the Gospel's sake, and yet for himself in subordination to God, that he "might be partaker of it with them." He would "give no offence to Jew or Gentile, or the church of God; but pleased all men in all things (that tended to their good), not seeking his own profit, but the profit of many that they may be saved;" 1 Cor. 10:32, 33. And he hath left it as the duty of the strongest Christians, "not to please themselves, but every one to please his neighbour for his good to edification." But when Paul looked at himself, and his esteem among men, then he saith, "With me it is a very small thing, that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment;" 1 Cor. 4:3. And "Do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of
Christ;" Gal. 1:10. Good natures are loath to provoke others to displeasure; and grace moveth us to please men for the saving of their souls. But it is pride and self-seeking to desire to set up ourselves in men's esteem; and to endear ourselves for ourselves into their affections. It is God's highest honour to be most highly esteemed, and most dearly beloved, as being the most perfect and transcendent good. And proud men in this would aspire to his prerogative; and much affect to be beloved of all; and fain they would sit near men's hearts, and be the darlings of the world. This is a fine, but dangerous sin; and I doubt many that are guilty of it, never well considered that it is a sin, and so great a sin as indeed it is. Deny yourselves in this. It is God that must be loved of all, and not you; you must be content to "be hated of all men for his sake," that he may be loved. Men's hearts were not made to be your throne, but God's.
Your work is to love, and not ambitiously to seek for love. So far as your interest in men's affections doth conduce to God's honour and service, and their good, desire it, and spare not; but see that these be really your ends. But for yourselves, take heed of desiring or seeking for men's love. They are apt enough to have in ordinate affections to the creature without your temptations. To love God in you, and love you for God, is their duty which you may provoke them to in season; but seek not for any nearer interest in them, nor for such a love as terminateth in yourselves. Nature is exceeding ambitious of being beloved; but steal not God's due. You are to be suitors and solicitors for him, to win the hearts of as many to him as you can; and not to speak for yourselves in his stead. Thankfully accept of men's ordinate love to you, if you have it; but if they deny it to you, for the sake of Christ, and turn it into hatred, do you deny yourselves herein, and remember that it is no more than you were fore warned of; and no