CHAPTER LXXI – 9. The selfish deal worse with God than with the devil
If therefore you would not prove apostates, and deny Christ in a day of trial, and be denied by him before his Father and the holy angels, see that you now learn this needful lesson of self-denial.
CHAPTER LXXI
The Selfish deal worse with God than with Satan 9. CONSIDER also that selfish carnal men deal worse with God, than they do with the devil and sin itself. God offereth them Christ and pardon, and eternal life, if they will but deny themselves in a thing of nought, and they will not be ruled or persuaded by him: the devil offereth them but the delights of the flesh, and the pleasures of sin for a season, and they will deny ten thousandfold more for this. They will deny God their Maker and Redeemer, their Lord and Judge, their Preserver and their Hope; though he have the only title to them, and their lives and souls be in his hand; they will for the sake of a filthy lust, or of a short and miserable life, deny him that never did them wrong; nay, that hath always shewed them kindness, even all the kindness that ever they received; and that when they know that their everlasting state must stand or fall according to his judgment.
They will deny the Lord Jesus the Redeemer of their souls; they will deny and resist the Holy Spirit of God; they will deny his laws, his
Gospel-promises, and all his mercies; they will deny his ministers and all their persuasions and daily labours: they will deny their dearest Christian friends, and deny their own consciences and convictions; and deny themselves the peace and joy which they might find in a holy walking with God. Yea, they will deny themselves everlasting life, and the favour of God, and cast themselves into endless misery; and all this for a thing that is ten thousand times