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own table their snare, Psa. lxix. 22, and their prosperity their ruin, Prov. i. 32.

5. There are many who compare themselves with themselves, passing by their own manifold sins, looking only upon their own hypocritical and civil good purposes and deeds; comparing also their sins with the notorious sins of God's people committed before their conversion, Luke xviii. 11, and with the gross sins of Noah, Abraham, Lot, Peter, and other godly men, after conversion. They hence conclude, that since such are saved, they must entertain a good opinion of themselves, and hope they shall be saved; they think that all is well with them, being such of whom our Saviour speaks that need no repentance, Luke xv. 7.

I would have these to know, that they who thus compare themselves with themselves are not wise, 2 Cor. x. 12; and they that think well of themselves, and commend themselves, are not approved, 2 Cor. x. 18; but those only whom the Lord commends. Moreover, the slips and falls of the people of God, both before and after conversion, did serve for their own humbling, and for a warning to all that should hear thereof. God knows how to reprove and chasten his own that offend, giving them repentance to life and salvation; and yet justly will condemn all those that shall presumptuously stumble at their falls, and wilfully lie in their sins, being fallen. It is not safe following the best men in all their actions, for in many things they sin all, James iii. 2, not only before, but after conversion. And as the cloud that guided the Israelites, Exod. xiv. 20, had two sides, the one bright and shining, the other black and dark, such is the cloud of examples of godly men. Those who will be directed by the light side thereof, shall, with the children of Israel, pass safely towards the heavenly Canaan; but those that will follow the dark side shall all perish with the Egyptians in the Red Sea of destruction. Whatsoever any were before conversion, or whatsoever gross sin they fall into after conversion, if they are humble and truly penitent, none of