A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4, Part 1 · Subpart 2 · Section 4

A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4 · Part 1 · Subpart 2 · Section 4

p. 494. Proud. foreign

This is a third branch of Self-love, viz. Pride in Heart. As arrogant Boasters shew their Pride by their words, so these have it in their hearts, and shew it in their actions, by contemning others, and exalting themselves.foreign, superbus qui supra alios vult …ideri, ab foreign & foreign, appareo. Hinc superbire est super ire. Qui alios prae se despicientes, se solos sapere putant. Baldwin. This sin is the daughter of Covetousness. Hence the Apostle would have rich men take heed of being High-minded. 1 Tim. 6.17 thereby implying, that Riches are apt to engender pride, Proud persons are like to Oyle: which loves to be above; in their own conceits, they are wiser than all the world besides.

And is not this the Master-sin of this last and loose age of the world? when did pride ever more abound in City and Country, in Body and Soule, in Heart, Head, Haire, Habit; In Gestures, Vestures, Words, Works? what Painting, Poudring, Patching, Spotting, and Blotting themselves? How are men loaded, and bedawbed with Variety of Ribbons, before and behind, above and beneath, with yellow, red, black, blew; they have more colours then the Rain-bow, and are more like Morrice-dancers, then Professors. These fantastick garbs, argue fantastick hearts. They say to their fine cloaths, as Saul said to Samuel, Honour me before the people: to this end every finger must have a Ring, and every joynt a Jewell; what sad Bills of Indictment will one day be put up against such persons? Imprimis 20 l. for brave cloathes, but not 20 s. for a pious use. Item 10 l. for Gold and Silver lace, but not 10 s. for the poor. Item 5 l. for Gew-gaws, and Ribbons, but not 5 s. for the needy. Item 20 s. for a pair of silver-laced shoes, and scarce 20 d. to the poor.—How will these one day curse themselves for their folly, and cry out when 'tis too late; What hath pride profited us? and what comfort (yea what discomfort) have these Vanities brought upon us? Be wise now therefore in time, and Honour the Lord with your Riches, which is the best way to keep and increase them; but waste them not on your lusts, lest you loose them. Hos. 2.8, 9. The plainnesse of former times will condemn our Vanity.V Stor. Chron. William Rufus. An. 1 Arminianisme sets up pride of Will, Popery pride of outward sense, and Socinianisme the pride of carnal Reason. the very trimming that some in our dayes wear, would have bought our ancient Kings a whole suit of apparell. Our Chronicles tell us that William Rufus (who in his time was accounted sumptuous in apparell) when his Chamberlain had brought him a pair of Breeches, and he demanding what they cost? it was answered, 3 s. The King bad him be gone, and bring him a pair of a Mark price. Heu prisca simplicitas! Whither is our ancient Simplicity fled!

2. For spirituall pride, which is the worst sort of pride, as fighting more directly against God, who is a Spirit, when did it more abound then at this day? There is amongst us. 1. Superbia de Religione, men are proud p. 50of their religious duties, as the Pharises were.

2. There is Superbia in Religione, Religious duties are proudly performed amongst us.

3. Superbia cum Religione. Pride conjoyned with Religion, the Professors of Religion are men of proud lives, and haughty spirits; and this is the very Mother of all those Hell-sprung Heresies, which have of late overspread the Land.Heareticorum mater superbia. Aug. Make a man proud, and he will quickly be erroneous. 1 Tim. 6.3, 4. Simon Magus that great Haeresiarch, was a very proud man; his picture had the Inscription, Simoni Sancto Deo. Arrius also that Arch-Heretick was notorious for Pride. The Gnosticks of old conceited that they knew more then all the world besides,They sprung up about 130. yeares after Christ. Gnostici propter excellentiam scientiae sic se appellatos esse gl…antur; cum sint superioribus omnibus vaniores atque turpiores. August. de Haeresib. c. 6. Nullum unquam fuit homin…m genus nomen Christianum profitentium, unde plura & majora infidelibus & Gentibus offendicula praebe…entur quàm ab istis: Danaeus & Euseb. Hist▪ l. 2.13. & l. 4. c. 7. Si superbia non ess…t, nec Haeretici, nec schismatici essent. Aug. boasting that God had made them of his privy Counnsell, and had revealed those secrets to them, which others knew not, (this is the song of our Quakers now) but none were a greater scandall to Religion then these Gnosticks. 'Tis spiritual Pride which is the Root of all that separation and Semi-separation, of all those Divisions, and Subdivisions, which are amongst us. The proud Pharises were great Separatists. Men of late have gotten very high conceits of themselves, they say even to the reall Churches of God, stand off, for we are holier then you. They are so afraid of Popularity, that they run themselves into Singularity. Young Ministers are much to be blamed for their Pride and Self-conceitednesse; every Novice now thinks himself wiser then the aged, Pious, experienced Ministers of the Land, yea then all the Churches of Christ in the world, I had almost said then Christ himself, These want a Rod, I mean the Discipli…e of Christ, to curb their exorbitancies.

See the danger of spirituall pride in Mr. Gournals Armour on Ephes. 6.12. p. 273. to 299. &c.Eph 6:12'Tis spirituall pride which makes so many boast of their perfections▪ when he that hath but half an eye, may see their grosse imperfections.'Tis this sin which makes so many to transgresse the bounds of their callings, and to become Teachers, when themselves had need to be taught the fundamentalls of Religion. These are wiser in their own conceits, then seven men that can render a reason. Prov. 26.16. though they were the seven wise men of Greece, yet were they all but fooles to them. They know more by the the Spirit, of which they boast (they never boast of their learning, I cannot blame them, they are loaded with so little of it) then their betters can know by twenty years study, who yet have a greater measure of the spirit then they. The people of England were never poorer and prouder then at this day; even now when the Lord is beating us for our pride, and is staining the pride of all our glory, and hath brought into contempt the Honourable of the earth, Isai 23.9. yet (such is the height of our rebellion) that we sin under the Rod, and are the worse for beating; when the body swells, 'tis a sign it is diseased: the Tympany of pride, which is now in the land, is a sad symptom, that all is not well with us; I wish our State Physitians, and Spirituall-Physitians, may see to it betimes, before the disease become Chronicall, and incurable.

3. That inundation and overflowing of all manner of sin, too clearely shewes the pride of the land. There is a kind of tacite interpretative pride in every sin:Superbia est propriae excellentiae appetitus inordinatus usque ad contemptum Dei, & Legis divinae transgressionem. Aquinas. foreign, superbia, quasi supergressio regulae. It's a lifting up of the mind against the Precepts of God. for in sinning we prefer our own wills before Gods will, and seek to please and advance our selves, rather then God. Pride affronts God, it stops the eare against his commands, and will not suffer mon to submit their necks to Gods p. 51yoak. Ier. 13, 15, 17. and 2.31. Hence sin is called a despising, and contempt of God. 2 Sam. 12.9, 10. The voluptuous man saith, God shall not rule over me; and the worldling saith, He'l not leave his profit to be commanded by him; and every rebellious sinner stands it out against God, and saith, We will not have him to rule over us. Thus when men are stout in heart, they are far from righteousnesse. Isai 46.12. as we see in Pharaoh, Absolon, Haman, &c. Pride is the Nurse of Covetousnesse, the Root of strife, envy, and cruelty; the Mother of Murder, this put Athaliah upon slaying the seed Royall, that she might get the Kingdome to her selfe. 2 Kings 11. In a word, 'tis the Root of all evill, which made Solomon to joyne pride and the evill way together.Superbia habet quandam universalem in…fluentiam in emnia peccata. Greg. Mo…al 31. Initium …mnis peccati est superbia. Aug. de Civit Dei l. 14 c. 13. Evidentissimum reprobationis signum est superbia; sicut humilitas electorum. Greg. Invisa est superbia vel superbis; superbiam in se amant, in aliis reprehendunt. Aug. Prov. 8.13. as Humility is the foundation of all Vertue, so is pride of all Vices; and as that is the badge of Gods children, so is this of the Devills. 'Tis so base a sin, that even the proud themselves hate it in others.

4. The great contention that is in the land, shewes there's much pride in it; for by pride (saith Solomon) comes contention. Prov. 13.10. and 28.25. Pride makes men drunk with their own conceits, Hab. 3.5. and drunkards we know are quarrelsom. The strife that is in Church, State, Families, comes from hence. Men should strive to love, but now men love to strive; not that 'tis a sin to contend for the truth, for that's our duty, yea our glory, and is commanded. Iude 3. but when men shall contend against the truth, and the true Churches of Christ, for Vanity and Heresy, making lyes their Re…uge: this argues pride with a witnesse.

5. Naturally we are all as full of pride, as a Toad is of poyson. The Sea is not more full of Monsters, the ayre of Flyes, the earth of Vermin, and the fire of sparkles; then our corrupt natures are of proud, rebellious imaginations, against God. 'Twas the sin of our first Parents, Gen. 3.5. and we their children resemble them in it. 'Twas not only the sin of Pharaoh, Haman, Herod, Sodom, Ezek. 16.49. but Gods dearest servants have been tackt and tainted with it. David out of pride numbers the people, 2 Sam. 24.1. Hezekiah's heart was lifted up with his Treasures and Riches, 2 Chron. 32.25. Peter had two good a conceit of himself. Mat. 26.33.60. even Christs poor disciples dreamt (as our Millenaries do) that Christ would set up an earthly Kingdom; upon this they begin to dispute, who should be the greatest amongst them? Mark 9.34. Hence 'tis, that the Lord lets corruptions and infirmities cleave even to the best, to keep them low in their own eyes. Paul, that holy, mortified man, must yet have a Thorn in the flesh,Attendant omnes pii quantum sit superbiae venenum, quod non p…test nisi veneno curari. Calvin in locum ubi plura. a messenger of Satan to buffet him, and keep him humble. 2 Cor. 12.7. Naturall and Hereditary diseases are hardly cured; when a man is born blinde, deaf, lame, &c. such are seldom cured. Pride is very pleasing and connatural to us, 'tis deeply rooted in our natures, we all carry a proud Devill within us, till the spirit of regeneration dispossesse him.Vnusquisque in se naturaliter Papam habet. Luther. See 15. signes of a proud man in Master Rogers of Dedham his Comment on 1 Pet. 5.5.1 Pet 5:5 For the expelling of this poyson, take these four Antidotes.

1. Consider that Pride is a sin which more especially fights against God, and God against it. The Proud do as it were challenge,foreign, adversatur, contrasistit, instructà acie opponu: est verbum in litare. L…ur. See Mr. Manton on Iames 4.6.Jas 4:6 and provoke him to set upon them; God accepts the challenge, and sets himself in battle array against this chaffe and dry stubble. They resist God, his Word, Ministers, Chastisements; and God resists them, and comes against them as an armed man. Iames 4.6. 1 Peter 5.5. Other sinne is a turning from God, but this turns against him, and fights with him; in other sinnes we flye from God; in p. 52this sin we flye on him: and God lets flye at such, he dischargeth all his Artillery in the very face of it. He resists them, this resistance presupposeth an assault, and did ever any man assault God and prosper? let the Potshards strive with the potshard of the earth, but wo unto him that striveth with his Maker. Isay 45.9. whose hands can be strong, and whose heart can endure in the day when God shall deal with him? Ezek 22.14. what they said of Iohn, is much more true of God. 2 Kings 20.4. Behold, two Kings could not stand before him, how then shall we? So, not two, but ten thousand Kings, and men of might have not been able to stand before him, how then darest thou contend with him? 'Tis madnesse for a man to provoke Angels, or a potent Host against him; but by his Pride to provoke the great Lord of Hosts, and God of Angels, is the height of madness. These are six things which the Lord hates, yea seven are an abomination to him, a Proud look is the first. Prov. 6.16, 17. and 16.5. he'l have no communion with such,Tanto quisque vilior Deo, quanto preciosior sibi. he cannot endure the breath of them. Hence he is said to behold them afar off, Psalm 138.6. and if David could not endure that the Proud should stand in his sight. Psal. 101.5. let them not think of coming into Gods Kingdom.

2. Consider how severely God hath punisht such in all ages, with remarkable judgements. They go about to rob him of his glory, which is as the apple of his eye, and which he will not part with unto any. Isa. 41.8. and therefore God is more quick in cutting off Proud persons, his patience waits on other sinners, but his justice suddenly finds out these. Iob 40.11, 12. Dan. 4.27. Psal. 18.27. and 119.21. when once Pride begins to bud and shew it self,See Beards Theatre of Gods Judgements. p. 2. c. 1. and Ravenel in V. superbia. Per Vermes intellige pediculos qui è corpore putido & foetido ebulliunt à Lapide. ruine is not far off. Prov. 16.18. and 29.23. Isai 3.24. Ier. 13.9. Ezek. 7.10, 11. when mens hearts are lifted, it is to their own destruction. 2 Chron. 26.16. If Herod once assume Gods glory to himself, an Angell shall suddenly smite him dead, and he's devoured of lice, Acts 12.22, 23. God spared him, whilest he persecuted the Saints, (though that was a crying sin) but when once he assumed divine honour to himself, down he comes; God loves to levell such, and lay them low. Matth. 23.12. He pitties the poor, weak bended reeds, but 'tis the Cedars of Lebanon and the Oaks of Bashan (i. e.) men that in their own conceits, and in the worlds eye, are as tall as Cedars, as strong as Oakes, as invincible as walls of brass, 'tis these God loves to be dealing with, that he may bring them down. Isai 2.12, 13. to 18. when Pride is in the Premises, destruction is ever in the conclusion. This sin turned Angels into Devills. Sodom into ashes. Ezek. 16.49. drowned Pharaoh, hanged Haman, turned Nebuchadnezzar a grazing with the beasts. This destroyes mens dwellings,Infamia est superbiae comes. Prov. 15.25. and is oft punished with madness. There is but this difference between a mad-man, and proud-man, we hate the one, and pity the other.

3. Consider that Pride is Partus Satanicus, the Devills first-borne, wherewith he layes his plot for our downfall. Gen. 3.5. For as God abaseth men that he may exalt them, so the Devill puffes men up, that he may destroy them; blowes them up, that he may the better break them. 'Tis the first Book which the Devill reads in his School. Hence Pride is called the Devills Grammar, which teacheth ill construction, and ill versifying. viz. to measure our selves by a large ell, and others by a short one; it makes long short, and short long: this Grammar also makes ill Declensions, teaching men to decline from good to evill.

4. 'Tis the Poyson of vertuous Actions; the meat may be good in it self, but if there be poyson in it, it becomes deadly. Praying, Preaching, Almes, are good in themselves, but if pride get into them, it levens and sowres the best performances. It's a worme that devoures the wood that bred it. He that's proud of his Graces, hath no Grace; his Pride hath devoured it all, as we p. 53see in the Pharisee. Luke 18.11.14. other Vices feed on that which is ev…ll, but this feeds on good things. Many are proud because they are not proud: a man might see pride through the holes of Diogenes's old Cloak;Fastum tuum per palleoli lateri foramina perspicio▪ quia honoris aucupandi causâ vilem illum elegisti amictum. Calcas fastum Platonis, majori fastu. Cineres reliquorum peccatorum, fomes superbiae. and see him tread on Plato's pride, with greater pride. This makes some they will be called Goodman, rather then Master, and sit lowest, that they may more solemnly be set highest: when other sinnes are consumed to ashes▪ yet out of those ashes, will pride spring. 'Tis a secret poyson, a hidden pestilence, the Canker of holinesse, the blinder of hearts,Perit omne quod acquiritur; si non humilitate custoditur. Greg. turning remedies into diseases. Every sin is a Theefe, and robs us of our Grace, but pride is the grand Theefe; for whereas Luxury robs us of our Chastity, Covetousnesse of Mercy, Anger of Patience, and Envy of Love; Pride robs us of our Humility, which is the Foundation of all Vertue.

Quest. But how may I mortify this sin of sins, this pestilent evill which makes us so l…ke to the Devill?Ita bellum geramus non aliis vitiis, ut praecipuam rem conferamus ad hoc debellandum. Calvin. As the Husbandman first removes briars and bushes out of his way before he sowes his seed.

Answ. 1. You must shew the Causes of it; The first and principall cause of pride is Ignorance, 1 Cor. 8.2. 1 Tim. 6.4. the Church of Laodicea was Self-conceited, and thought her self rich in Grace, but what was the ground of it? She knew not her spiritual nakedness and misery. Rev. 3.17. who prouder then the ignorant Pharisees,Nulli sunt magis desperati quàm qui sunt minùs desperantes. whom Christ calls blinde guides? Matth. 15.14. and 23.16.24. Paul, whilest ignorant and unconverted, had a good conceit of himselfe, Rom. 7.9. he thought himself alive, and as good as the best, in respect of his own Righteousness and Duties. Phil. 3.6. but when the Law came in the spirituality of it, he was dead, and saw there was no trusting to them. Whilest men are in a dark roome, they see neither atomes, nor beames; but let the Sun shine into it, and then we see the least moat there: So whilest men live in a state of Ignorance, they are pure in their own eyes, but when the spirit of God shall enlighten the soule, we shall see the least moats and spots of sin, and this will take down pride. When God had discovered himself more fully to Iob, and given him a clearer manifestation of his Wisdome, Power, and Purity; it makes him dislike himself, even to abhorrency, which implyes a vehement dislike, and extream disesteem of himself▪ Iob 42.5, 6. So Isai 6.5, 6.

2. Shun Idlenesse, this breeds pride, who prouder then lazy Gentle-folks? these were two of those sins that turned Sodom into ashes. Ezek. 16.49. like stones in an Arch, they help to uphold each other: get therefore a calling, and labour in it. It is an humbling thing, and requires some stooping; it helps to bring down our hearts. Psal. 107.12. and therefore God who knows what is in man, and knowes our hearts better then we our selves, hath ordained, that every one should serve him in some calling, to keep him from pride and rusting.

3. Look not upon thy Gifts and Graces as thine own; remember they are but Talents lent us by our Master, to be improved for his honour, and are rather for service, then for ornament; for Gods praise, and not for ours. Glorying is for owners, and not for borrowers. The Apostle with one Question blasts all our pride. 1 Cor. 4.7. Who made thee to differ, and what hast thou; that thou hast not received? We have no reason to be proud of our borrowed feathers; if the Sheep had his Fleece, the Silk-worme her Excrements, the Fowle his Feathers, the earth her Corn, Wine, Gold, Silver, &c. and the Taylor his Fashions, what poor, naked creatures should we be?

4. Labour for Humility. As one nayle drives out another, so contraries p. 54expell each other: as Grace comes in, so high conceits go out. The way to make a stick straight, is to bend it as much the contrary way. Get thou Humility, which is the Grace of our Graces. It's not only our Duty, but our Glory;foreign, est vestimento ornari, nam foreign est certum genus amictûs & ornamenti. Hesychius, Hence it is called a garment. 1 Pet. 5.5. Be cloathed with humility. Now garments are ornaments, a naked man is a loathsome man; so Humility is a most lovely and adorning grace; he that wants it, is loathsome in the eyes both of God, Angels, and men. 'Tis the most attractive, winning grace; by this Hester gained on Ahasuerus, and Abigail on David. This distinguisheth between Saints and Sinners; Pride is the Character of the Devills children, as humility is the most proper badge of Gods Children: and therefore of all Lessons, learne this Lesson; 'tis the A.B.C. the very first Lesson which God teacheth us. When one ask't Demosthenes what was the first part of an Oratour, he answered, Pronunciation; and what the second and third, he answered still, good Pronunciation and Action. So if you ask me what is the first Lesson of a Christian? I answer, Humility, and what the second? Humility, and what the third? Humility. Look what the sweet Violet is amongst the flowers, the Diamond amongst the Pearles, and Gold amongst Mettals; the same is Humility amongst Graces. 'Tis not an aery, notionall, empty, speculative thing; but it consists in practice. Christ will have us learn of him to practice it, and not barely to know it. Matth. 11.29. Iohn 13.14.17. To quicken you, take these eleven considerations.

1. Consider Humility is a Radicall Fundamentall Grace, when the soul is once truly humble under the sight and sense of sin, then is the Foundation laid for all Grace.Radix omnis boni & virtutis est humilitas. Humility never goeth alone, 'tis the root of Sanctity, Sincerity, Peace, and Wisdom. Prov. 11.2. The empty vessell is capable of filling (Elisha filled onelyonly the empty vessels) the low valleyes of enriching, and the plowed ground of sowing. 'Tis a great part of our holinesse. The more Holy any man is, the more Humble: as we see in Abraham, Gen. 18.27. Iacob. Gen. 32.10. Moses. Isay 6.5, 6. Dan. 9.8. Ezra 9.6. Iohn 1.27. Mat. 15.27. Ruth 2.10. Psal. 131.2. 1 Sam. 25.41. Luke 1.38.43.48. and 15.21. and 18.13, 1 Cor. 15.8, 9. 1 Tim. 1.15.See Mr. Leigh on the Promises. To these the promises belong; when the soule is thus qualified, it may challenge them as as its Heritage. Psal. 119.111. Prov. 3.34. Iames 4.6. 1 Pet. 5.5. Luke 1.53. God gives his Grace onelyonly to the Humble, not to such as have onelyonly a Morall Humility, which springs from nature, and is mixt with much Self-seeking, and Vain-glory; this is but a shadow, like the apples of Sodom faire to the eye, at contacta cinerescunt, touch them, and they fall to ashes. True humility is a holy, spiritual, supernatural grace; 'tis a brokennesse of heart for sin, as 'tis sin. Quia offensivum Dei, aversivum à Deo, because 'tis offensive to God. These empty soules God fills full of spiritual blessings; for as in Nature there is no Vacuum, Cor humile est vacuum spirituale. Gerson. Absque humilitate nulla virtus est virtus, haec servat acceptas virtutes, & servatas consum…nat; est tutissimus omnium virtutum thesaurus, Basil.so neither doth grace admit of any.

2. 'Tis the conserver and keeper of all Grace. We lay up the richest Wines in the lowest Cellars, and God lays up the choycest mercies in the lowest hearts. The lowest combes are fullest of honey. 'Tis a rich Treasury, and Storehouse of Vertue; every grace hath some mixture of humility, there's no Theologicall grace can be separated from it. This keeps the soule free from the dint of Satans darts, as the low shrubs are from the violent gusts of winde which shake and rend the taller trees. These are not affected with Satans proffers▪ nor terrified with his threatenings: so that he can hardly fasten a Temptation on such. I have read of one, that seeing, a Vision, many snares of the Devill spread upon the earth, he sate down and mourned, and p. 55said within himself, Quis pertransiet ista… who shall pass through these? whereunto answer was made. Humilitas pertransiet; Humility shall pass through them.

3. It makes us conformable to Christ our head,Discite à me n…n mundum creare, non miracula facere, sed quicquid ago ad gloriam patris refero, & et omne bonum ascrib…, in medio discipulorum fai sicut qui ministrat, pedes eorum lavi, in omnibus memet humiltatis exemplum praebui; nullum contemno, claritatem ab hominibus non accipio. who from his birth to his death, from his cradle to his cross, was even compounded of humility. He hath set himself before us as our Pattern, and commands us to learn Humility of him. Mat. 11.29. we cannot write after a better coppy.

4. 'Tis the Path-way to Peace, both Externall, and Internall. As Pride breeds contention and disquietment; So humility quiets and composeth the soul, and makes it with a holy silence to bear those losses, crosses, reproaches, which would break the back and braines of a pround and wicked man.Nil asperum mitibus, nil ard…um humilibus. Qui ja…et in terris, non habet unde cadat. Vt…m…es ita & humores, contemperat bilis. foreign. (i e.) a…imalia quae s…lle carent, ut cervi, sunt longaeva. Omnes humiliati non sunt humiles. As Wool, by its yeelding and softness doth dull bullets, and break their force, so by stooping to God and man, we pacify wrath. He is so little and low in his own eyes, that he cannot fall much lower. Christ tells us; that he that learns of him this Lesson, shall find rest for his soul: though he may have trouble without, yet he shall have Peace within. Mat. 11.22.

5. It helps to prolong our dayes, Impatience and fretfulnesse breed diseases, and shorten mens lives; but Humility, Meeknesse, and quietness, are a meanes to prolong them: as we see in Moses, one of the meekest men in the world, who lived 120. yeares, his eye was not dimme, nor his naturall strength abated. Deut. last. 7, God hath promised long life to such. Prov. 32.4. and Hypocrates observes that Gall-less creatures live long.

6. T's the ready way to Exaltation and Honour. Mat. 23.12. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 'Tis not he that is humbled against his wi…l, as Pharaoh, Ahab, and the Israelites were, but he that freely humbleth himself; for many are humbled, which yet are not humble; there may be Humiliation without Humility; mens estates may be broken, yet their hearts unbroken, humbled they may be in body, yet high in soule. Many make it their study how they may rise and get promotion, behold the way, humble your selves, and you shall be exalted, even to Honour here,Descende ut ascendas, humiliare ut exalteris, qui enim sibi vilis, Deo pulcher, qui sibi displicent, Deo placent; esto igitur parvus in oculis tuis, ut sis magnus in oculis Dei August. Serm. 218: de Temp. if God see it good for you. As Ioseph, Nehemiah, David, Daniel; the Lord sets humble Mordecat in Hamans stead, and humble Eliakim in proud Shebna's stead. Isai 22.15, 16, 20, 21. if men would but take this course, it would save them much trouble and travell, with chargeable expences. However it would bring them to Grace and Glory, which is the highest and best preferment. 1 Pet, 5.5. There is no entrance into the Temple of Honour, but by the gate of Humility, for as Pride goes before a fall, so before Honour is Humility. Prov. 15. ult. and 18.12. and 22.4. God pulls down the high and haughty,Aesopus interrogatus quidnam Peu… ageret resp. foreign. (i. e.) humilia exaltat, alia humiliat. but he exalts the lowly and meek. Luke 1.51, 52. all the world cannot pull down an Humble man, because God will exalt him; and all the world cannot exalt a proud man, because God will pull him down; if then you will build high, be sure to lay your foundations low.

7. The humble soul is Gods House, where he delights to dwell, 'tis domicilium Spiritus Sancti, the Temple of the Holy Ghost. Isay 57.1…. God hath but two Thrones, the highest Heavens, and the lowest Heart. God over-looks the frame of Heaven and earth, to look on a poor, humble, broken heart. Isay 66.1, 2. The Heaven is my Throne, and the earth my foot-stoole. But to him, even to him will I look, &c. q. d. 'Tis true, those are my creatures, I made them, yet do I over-look all these, to look on a truly humbled soule, p. 56not with a bare look of intuition, or generall prudence, but with a look of favour, and an eye of approbation, complacency, and delight. Though the Lord be the most High,Deus, cum omnium sit excellentissimus, non elatione, sed humilitate contingitur. Aug. yet hath he respect to the lowly. Psal. 138.6. these are Gods Jewels, and as we prize one jewell above 10. thousand peebles, so God esteems one humble Moses above 10. thousand other men. The lower we are in our own eyes, the higher we are in Gods. These are Gods Glory. Isay 4.5. they give all Glory unto God, and therefore God loves to exalt them to Honour.

8. These are Gods Schollars, whom he hath promised to direct and teach, Psal. 25.9. these are of his privy Counsel, to them he reveales the secrets and mysteries of salvation, as Abraham, Lot, David, Daniel. with these he familiarly walks. Micah 6.8. He that is most humble, sees most of heaven. He that lyes in the low pits rnd caves of the earth, beholds the starres; when those that walk on the tops of mountains, discerne them not. The proud, God leaves to themselves, to be s…ared in their own imaginations. Luke 1.51. Had we less pride, and more Humility, we should have less Error, and more Truth. This is a comely Grace both in Speakers and Hearers. How many that have affected Metaphysical speculations, and high-spun Notions, have fallen into the pit of Sinne, and Heresy.

9. These are the only prevailing people with God. These are fit to lye in the gap, and to intercede for a Nation. The prayers of one such a meek Moses, Samuel, Iob, &c. may preserve a Nation from ruine. Iob 22.30. 'tis their prayers which he hath promised to hear. 1 Chron. 7.14. Psal. 10.17. God will have communion with none but such. We must humble our selves, if we will walk with him. Micah. 6.8.

See more, Cobbet on Prayer. Part. 2. chap. 5.10. Such are sure of protection, especially in times of common calamity; Ezek. 9.4. when wicked men are broken and cast down, thou shalt say, there is lifting up, and God will save the Humble man. Iob. 22. 29. the bending reed is preserved, when the stubborn Oakes are pluckt up by the Roots.

Sic ventos vincit dum se submittit arundo,

In pulsu quorum robora celsa cadunt.

11. They are Blessed men, Matth. 5.3, 4, 5. Blessed are the poor in Spirit, who are sensible of their own wants and weakness; of their own nakedness, and nothingnesse; these have the promise of Heaven and Earth. And if Heaven and Earth be taken up for the Humble, in what place (think you) shall the proud be billetted? not in Heaven, for it will receive no proud person; they must be like little children, for Humility, that will come thither. Matth. 18.3.

Now by serious Meditation, work these eleven considerations on thy heart, till they have wrought out pride, and made thee universally Humble; In Vestures, Gestures, Heart, Words, Works. A man may have it in his Tongue, and be full of complement (as your Servant, Sir, &c.) and yet be full of craft. But the most proper seat of Humility is the Heart: We must learn of Christ to be Humble, not onelyonly in Words, but in Heart. Mat. 11.29, For if the heart be once humbled, all will be humble; if there be a Treasury of Humility within, it will quickly appear in the Words and Works without:Quo quisque est humilior, ita ad serviendum Deo promptior. Wickliff. Such will stoop to any employment, whereby God may be glorified. They can well be content to be dishonoured, so God may be honoured; to decrease, so Christ may increase. Iohn 3.30. This made Paul to become all things to all men, and make himself a servant to all, that he might gain p. 57the more. 1 Cor. 9.19, 20. How low did Christ stoop, that he might glorify God in the work of our Redemption, he made himself of no reputation, but laid aside his glory (for a time) and took upon him the form of a servant. Phil. 2.6, 7. he conversed with sinners, talkes with women, heales the sick, & washeth his Disciples feet. Many could be content to serve in places of Honour, Pleasure, Credit, but a gracious soule can stoop to the meanest service, and lowest place,Beatus cujus vita excelsa, Spiritus humilis. Verè magnum est magna facere, & teipsum putare nihil. so God may be honoured; yea, the Saints in their highest condition, carry humble hearts: David, when a King, yet is as lowly as a weaned child. Psal. 131. we need not levell good men, they will levell themselves, and carry low mindes in high estates. The more they have, or have done and suffered for God, the more humble they be, they lay all their Honours, Learning, Riches, Excellencies, &c. at the feet of Christ, as the twenty foure Elders cast downe their Crownes before the Throne saying, Thou art worthy to receive Honour, and Glory, and Power, Revel. 4.10.

Even Agathocles, King of Sicily, being a Potters sonne, would alwayes eat his meat in earthen Vessels, the better to mind him of his Originall.

Fictilibus coenâsse ferunt Agathoclea Regent.

That you may learn this choyce Lesson.

1. Be familiar with Humble men, make them thy bosome companions; for as he that toucheth pitch shall be defiled, so he that meddles with rich perfumes, will smell of their sweetnesse.

2. Remember thy last end, remember thou art dust,Momento, 1. Vnde Veneris. 2. Quò sis abiturus. 3. Coram quo sis rationem redditurus▪ Bernard. and must to dust again; we dwell in houses of clay, and our foundation is in the dust. Iob 17.14.16. when the house is clay, and the foundation dust, such a house cannot long endure. What made Ierusalem so proud and filthy? Why, She remembred not her last end. Lam. 1.9. Pray that you may know in good earnest, that you are but men. Psalm 9.20. (i. e,) poore, fraile, feeble creatures; what ever thy endowments be,Men. (i. e.) broken and crackt creatures, morbis mortique obnoxii, sorry, sickly Caitiffes. This to know savingly, is the beginning of true Humility. Trapp in locum. yet this consideration, that thou art Enosh, a poore, wretched, miserable man, will humble thee. Remember what thou art by sin, and what thou shalt be in thy Grave; and thy Plumes will fall. Every proud man forgets himself.

3. To keep thee from pride in Externalls, and Naturall excellencies, consider how the creatures excell us therein; the Lion in courage, the Horse in strength, the Birds in singing, the Lillies in Beauty, the Spider in spinning, the Bee in working, the Eagle in Seeing, the Hare in running, the Dogge in smelling, &c.

2. In obedience, every creature excells man in his pure Naturalls. All creatures are Gods servants, and are ready to do whatsoever their Lord and Master shall command them: Even the Winds, and the Seas obey him. Hence the Lord sends us Dullards to learn Industry of the Ant. Prov. 6.6. Prudence of the Stork, Crane, Swallow, Ier. 8.7. and Gratitude of the Oxe and Asse. Isa. 1.3.

[Against Pride, see Alsteeds Encyclop. Ethic. lib. 21. cap. 12, 13. Vol. 2. in Folio. p. 12.77. Perkins 2. Vol. on Gal. 6.14. Bernards Thesaurus in the end. p. 134. Mr. Trapps Common-place on Arrogancy, in the end of his Comment on the Epistles. Mr. Woodwards childs Patrimony. 2. Part. p. 58c. 4. Sect. 1. p. 50. &c. Mr. Clerks Mirruor. cap. 102. B. Hall's Ser. on Prov. 29.23. Vol. 2. Fol. p. 399.]

Mr. Clerks Mirrour. cap. 64.[For Humility, see Mr. Henry Smith's Serm. on 1 Peter 5.5. p. 203. Mr. Rogers of Dedham his Comment on 1 Pet. 5.5. Bernards Thesaurus in the end. p. 136. D. Ier. Taylor's Rule of Holy Living. c. 2. Sect, 4. Sibelius in Psal, 132. Mr. Cawdry, Humility, the Saints Livery. D. Featly on Matth. 5.3.]