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CHAP. XV. Self-will be denied.
4. THe fourth part of selfishness to be mortified, is self-will. And this is the fruit of self∣conceit, and also a natural corruption of the soul; And a most deep rooted obstinate vice it is. Every wicked man is a self-willed man, against God, and all that speak for God. And till self be mortified in the will, there is no saving grace in that will.
Quest. But what will is it that is to be called a self-will?
Answ. Not that which is from God and for God; but all the rest. 1. That will that is not fetched from God, and moved by his will, as the lesser wheels in a clock are moved by the first wheel and by the p••••••••, is no better than self-will. A will that is not dependent on Gods will, is an Idol, usurping the prerogative of God; for it is proper to him to be dependent upon none, and to have a will that is not ruled by a Superior will. Little do the most know how great a sin this is, to be self-willed. You have a will to something or other continually; and it is your will that ruleth the rest of your faculties and actions: but what is it that ru∣leth your will? whence do you fetch the rise and rea∣son of your desires? Is it from Gods will, or is it not? You pray to God [Thy will be done] and do your own wills answer these prayers? or are they hypocri∣tical dissembling words? If indeed it be Gods will that you would have fulfilled, then will the knowledge of that will of God determine your own wills. As a servant dependeth on his Masters will, for all the work that he is to do, and doth not what he will him∣self,