The Christian Governor in the Commonwealth and Private Families, Exposition 1 · Part 17
I cannot suffer.
DAVID (heere) sheweth, not onelyonly that he would not, but that he could not dispense with a proud person to hauehave him about him. He might hauehave contented himselfe to hauehave said hee would not suffer such an one; but more plainely to expresse his hatred of this high soaring sinne, he saith he could not. And herein Dauid is a worthy Magistrate in the image of God: for God could not suffer proud persons to serue him in heauen, Iude 6. and Dauid in his image, cannot abide that such should liue vnderunder him in earth. Therefore where he saith, I cannot suffer him; his meaning is, that hee would not be perswaded by any meanes to beare with such an one, or to be otherwaies affected then God is toward proud ones.
Doct.The Doctrine that I gather is; No proud person must be encouraged, but resisted by a Christian Magistrate, in a Christian Common-wealth. Ismael was a proud Scorner; therefore God commaunded Abraham, and Abraham at Gods commaundement cast him out, Gen… 21.9.12.14. Moses, when he saw a proud Aegyptian smiting his brother, a poore Hebrew, as Gods High Marshall, presently slew him, Exod. 2.11.12. Salomon saith that humility goeth before glorie; as much as if Salomon had sayde… They whom Magistrates should preferre, and good men set by, must be humble. But Haman, that was lift vp by pride to so great crueltie against Mordecai, and so many innocent Iewes, came with much shame to his end: for God made the King that loued him, his Officer to execute him vponupon his owne Gallowes, Hest. 7.
The Reasons.
Gods Magistrates must be affected as God is, whose Magistrates they are: they must louelove where he loueth, and be enemies where hee is enemie. Now, God resisteth the proud, 1 Pet. 5.5. or, sets his hoast in array, and orders his Armie against him: and therefore they must do so to. Secondly, the proud robbe God of his glorie; and shall the spoylers of God be spared? Thirdly, the proud are fooles, and proud persons sinfull fooles, such as must inherit destruction, Pro. 3.35. Now if destruction be their inheritance from the Lord, they sinne that keepe them from it. But not onelyonly Magistrates that may punish pride, are here prouoked to their duties; but they who hauing the charge of others in a priuate Cure, may restraine it, are taught also, & must learne, though not to punish it as Magistrates, yet not to beare with it as fooles.
Vses.
Vse. 1.A reproofe to those in authoritie, who countenance Swaggerers, rude in carriage, and proud in heart: nay, Papists, and such proud ones as clayme heauen by their works: for he that must not suffer a proud person, how shall hee abide a Papist, that thinketh his works worthie to stand before the Sonne of God? Dauid (I perswade my selfe) if he were now liuing, would not beare with him, who so sharply) threatneth a high looke, and large heart. Heere (also) those foolish Parents and Husbands are reprooued, who are so farre from not suffering pride, or a proud person in their children and wiues, that they pranke them in it, by offering the meanes in cu…ious apparrell and new fashions, that rather blow vp then keepe downe the swelling of a vaine heart.
Vse. 2.An admonition to auoyd pride, as we would not hauehave good men to auoyd vsus, and good Magistrates not to abide vsus: nay, if wee would not hauehave God for our enemie… let vsus not hauehave pride for our friend. Let vsus rather vse all cooling remedies for the inflamation of so windie a stomacke. And let vsus (if God hauehave graced vsus with good things) bewayle the euill things that are in vsus in greater measure. Neyther let his blessings make vsus proud, and let our wants humble vsus. Let vsus consider that wee hauehave nothing but what wee hauehave receiued. 1 Cor. 4.7. and shall a Beggar, that liueth of the Almes-basket, be proud of the meate that is giuen him? Let vsus not conceit of our selues aboue that which is in vsus, nor hauehave our selues in more admiration then is cause. Finally, let vsus take heede of the flattering prayser: for what needle creature, pinched with want, will be made to beleeue that he swimmeth in plentie? and that hee were a liberall House-keeper that hath not wherewith to keepe himselfe? So much for the Prophets affection toward euill doers: his good affections to those that doe well, follow.