§. Sect. 6 Of the meanes whereby we may attaine vnto humility.
And thus, when our hearts are inlarged with that loue of this excellent and profitable grace, let vs in the next place carefully vse all good meanes, whereby we may be decked and adorned with it. And first we must often and seriously meditate vpon Gods excellency and infinitenesse in wise∣dome, glory, power, iustice, and goodnesse, and then the opinion of our owne worth will vanish, like the light of a candle, when the Sunne shineth in its full brightnesse, and our seeming perfection which much pleased vs, when we beheld it alone, or compared it with others who come short of vs, will appeare to be nothing but imperfection, and wee vile and of no worth in our owne eyes. Secondly, let vs compare our state as it is, with that it was in our creation, and there will be great cause of humiliation, in the best gifts and graces in vs, seeing they are but the ruines of an old building, and like base worne-out ragges of sumptuous apparell. Third∣ly, let vs compare our vertues and duties, with that which the Law requi∣reth, and so we shall haue good cause to be cast downe in the sight of our imperfection, when we see what perfection, euen vpon the penaltie of the curse it exacteth of vs. Fourthly, let vs meditate on the matter whereof we are made, and into which we shall againe be resolued; and then may wee in all humility say with Iob to corruption, Thou art my father, and to the * 1.1 worme, Thou art my mother and my sister; yea with Dauid, that we are wormes and no men: And acknowledge with Abraham, that wee are but dust and * 1.2 ashes, vnworthy to appeare in Gods presence, or to make any suite vnto him. Fifthly, let vs set our many and grieuous sinnes before vs, our origi∣nall corruption, which is the roote of all wickednesse, and our actuall transgressions, both of omission and commission; and withall, the wrath of God, and curse of the Law due vnto them; and this will make vs with the Publicane to cast downe our eyes, and smite our brests, and with broken and contrite hearts to cry out, God, be mercifull vnto me a sinner. * 1.3 Sixthly, with our graces and vertues, let vs compare our vices and corrup∣tions, and so our few graines of gold will be couered with such a masse of drosse, our small quantity of good corne mixed with so much chaffe, that our good parts will not so much lift vs vp, as our ill will pull downe and humble vs, if we weigh them in the ballance of an vnpartiall iudgement. Seuenthly, let vs remember that we haue nothing but what we haue recei∣ued, * 1.4 and that by the grace of God we are that we are; and therefore let vs not boast, as though we had not receiued them, but retaining the ioy and comfort of Gods graces vnto our selues, let vs returne all the praise and * 1.5