A Gospel Glass, Treatise · Chapter 21
CHAP. XXI. Their Pride.
BEhold, Profeſsors Pride, Ezek. 16.49. Evidenced in Irreverence in addreſſes to God. Gen. 18.27.This was the iniquity of thy Siſter Sodom, Pride, &c. And is not this Devilliſh Sin become our National Sin?
1. With what a bold and impudent face have we come and appeared before God? Who hath ſenſibly expreſt himſelf in Abraham's words, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but duſt and aſhes. Inſtead of a reverential fear of God, our behaviour hath been stout againſt God, and we have not trembled in his preſence, no not whilſt we have been terribly threatned by God, yea when his dreadful threatnings have been terribly executed upon us: Even in ſuch times we have irreverently ruſh'd into his Preſence.
2. Not ſtooping to the Will of God.How have our Wills riſen up againſt the Will of God? The humble Soul ſtoops to Gods Preceptive and Providential Will; but we have wretchedly thwarted God in all his Counſels and Diſpenſations. The great Controverſie betwixt God and man, is, Whoſe Will ſhull ſtand, God or mans? O! How impudently have we contended with the Lord about this? We have even thought our ſelves too great to be croſt. How many think it even a diſgrace to their noble Spirits, to be ſtill and ſilent, even under the hand of God, but they muſt be clamorous, and ſpeaking againſt the very Heavens? They are ready to ſay, This was not well done by God, he might have given, or continued to us, this and the other mercy: They miſlike many of Gods Diſpenſations of Providence: they cannot heartily ſay, that God holds the reins beſt, and and guides all his affairs with the greateſt wiſdome: they think if they were the Orderers of matters in the World, things would be better governed: like proud Abſolon, 2 Sam. 15.4.who wiſhed he were in David's ſtead, they wiſh they were in Gods ſtead. A proud man would have others under him, yea, he would have the great and glorious God ſubject to his will, to do what he pleaſeth, to yield to his deſires. Whence are all your diſputings and quarrellings with God, ſave from the Pride of your hearts? The humble Soul cryes, Not my will, but thine be done. It is the Lord, let him do what ſeemeth him good; But ſo over-grown are we with an opinion of out own wiſdome and worth, that we muſt limit the Holy One, and order him how to rule the World: God muſt ſtoop to our preſcriptions, or elſe we ſwell and break with diſcontent. O! Is not God wiſer than man? Shall the clay ſay to the Potter, Why haſt thou ſhaped me thus? Rather let the potſheards ſtrive with the potſheards (wormes with wormes) about the preeminence of wills, than we contend with God. O! When will your proud hearts ſtoop to God? when ſhall his Will be the Rule? when will you be willing to be dealt withall as God pleaſeth?
3. Lothneſs that God ſhould be exalted, unleſs they be inſtruments and ſharers.How loth are we that God ſhould have any glory in the World, unleſs we ſhare in it, or unleſs we be the immediate inſtruments of exalting of him? We are willing God ſhould have ſome glory, ſo we may ſhare with him: content that Free-will and Free-grace ſhould divide the ſpoyles: the honour of our ſalvation ſhall be aſcribed, partly to our endeavours, and the honeſty of our wills, in chooſing the way of life, and partly to Chriſts merits. We are willing God ſhould be exalted, ſo it be by our ſelves, ſo that we may be famous in promoting the deſign; elſe we are diſcontented. Few are contented that Gods work ſhould be carried on by any hand ſave their own, that ſome glory may deſcend on them. Moſt are like the proud Senatours of Rome, that could have been contented, that Chriſt ſhould have been numbred among their Gods, but that the Motion began not with themſelves. O! Think with your ſelves, how many good motions, tending to the edification of the body of Chriſt, have miſcarried upon this account, becauſe others ſhould not have the honour of beginning them? Whence can it be, ſave from the Pride of our hearts, that we have ſo little rejoyced, when God hath been advanced by others, and we had no hand therein? We are afraid that others glory will ecclipſe ours.
4. Scorning ſome D… vine Commande.How ſcornfully do we look on ſome of the Lords Commandements? To reprove Offendours, to viſit the Poor, and conferr with them, yea to be ſeen in the company of poor Chriſtians, is accounted a diſgrace; we think it an abaſement to our Spirits, and a diſcredit to us, to be known in any relation to them. Who can bow to the meaneſt ſervices of the Sanctuary?
5. How unwilling are we to come to Chriſt, unwillingneſs to come to Chriſt, till worthy of him.till we have our double money in our ſacks, till we have fitted and prepared our ſelves, and made our ſelves worthy of him? Hence all the offers of Chriſt are neglected, till the Soul hath wrought it ſelf into a better diſpoſition for Chriſts embraces and loves; and therefore when we can weep bitterly, and pray fervently, we will come to Chriſt, but will not be beholding to him to work both to will and to do: We would be the Alpha, and he ſhall be the Omega: We would begin ſome glorious work, and then tye him to our performances, and oblige him by our great and glorious ſervices and reformations: We hate to be Almes-people; To begg I am aſhamed: We are loth to receive all from God, we would purchaſe and merit ſomewhat.
6. How Unthankfull are we? unthankfulneſs.A Proud man is alwayes an Unthankful man, and an Unthankful man is alwayes a Proud man. He thinks he deſerves all that is conferr'd upon him. The humble man counts himſelf leſs than the leaſt of all Gods mercies; but the proud man reckoneth all that he enjoyeth too little. Do not we think God is beholding to us for our Duties and Services, more than we are to him for Life, Breath, and all our Poſſeſſions?
7. Setting upon great works in their own ſtrength.Dare we not ſet upon the higheſt Services in our own ſtrength, without calling in the help of the Almighty? The Proud man ſeldome believes his own inſufficiencies to think a good thought: He can ruſh upon Prayer, reading the Scriptures, Meditation, and ſuch difficult works of Chriſtianity, without imploring the aid and ſuccours of Heavens Influences:
8. Being haſty Beggars.Are we not haſty Beggars? If we petition for Pardons, or Holineſs, and God comes not to the door at the firſt or ſecond knock, away we are flinging: There is no hope, why ſhould I wait on the Lord any longer? We dare preſcribe God a day, and by thus limiting God, our Pride appears, as if we knew the fitteſt ſeaſons for deliverance and mercy. Were we of an humble heart, we would wait all our dayes with patience, yea we would reſolve to be exalting of God, whatever becomes of our ſelves, and to pay him the homage of duty, though he for juſt reaſons be pleaſed to frown upon our Prayers, and to deny us all the requeſts of our Souls. I hear ſome ſay, they would pray, hear, read, wait upon God all their dayes, ſo they were ſure God would accept them, and ſmile upon them in the laſt hour: I ſay to theſe, You ought to ſerve God with all your time and ſtrength, you are bound to God in duty, though God were under no obligations by promiſe unto you. O the Pride of our Spirits! that we dare tell God, We will not ſerve thee unleſs thou humour us.
9. Accounting Gods Judgements greater than their Deſerts.Do not we think God hath puniſhed us above our Deſerts? Do not we hence cry out more of our ſmart and pain, than we do of our ſins and provocations? Were we humble, we would bleſs the Lord, that he hath restrained his rough wind in the day of his Eaſt wind: We would wonder, that it is ſo well with us, that we are not in a worſe condition: We would cry out, Lam. 3.40.It is of the Lords mercy that we are not conſumed. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the puniſhment of his ſins? How loth are we to confeſs our iniquities have deſerved all that we ſuffer, and a great deal more, and therefore to humble our ſelves for our ſins? How do we endeavour to hide our ſins from God, Man, and our ſelves?
10. Admiring what they ſuppoſe they have.How apt are we to admire our ſelves for ſuppoſed Excellencies? For ſuppoſed Beauty, Parts, Reaſon, Wit and Underſtanding, yea and for ſuppoſed Grace? Man (ſaith one) is a proud piece of fleſh, and a ſmall matter will make him ſhew his pride, and ſpread his plumes.
11. Boaſting of what Good they have and do.How apt are we to boaſt of any Good we do? Of our Valour in the Field, of our Diſcourſes in ſuch and ſuch Company, how wiſely we diſcharged ſuch a Service, how well we behaved our ſelves, in ſuch an Action? Come ſee my Zeal for the Lord. Look to your hearts, you will find them unduly tranſported, as with the thoughts of your gifts and graces, ſo with what you do through the gift of grace. Our very Graces are often an occaſion of boaſting. 'Tis a rare thing to ſee a man rich in gifts, 1 Cor. 8.1. Puffed up with any thing of theirs.and poor in ſpirit. Even knowledge puffeth up.
12. Doth not any thing of ours ſwell us? Are not ſome puff'd up with their fine Clothes, new Attires, Ribbons, Dreſſings, yea with their very Spots? Their Feathers, their Hair, the excrements of Beaſts and Men, make them flye high. Are not ſome puff'd up with their Birth? Hence they boaſt, that they have the Blood of Kings and Nobles running in their Veins; or elſe that they are of the Stock of Abraham, deſcended from Parents eminent for Piety, though they have ſadly degenerated from their lives and walks. How many are ſwell'd with their Eſtates? That they have Shops full, Houſes full, and Baggs full, puffeth them up. Whilſt all the treaſure is ſhewed, how glad is the heart? Even Hezekiah was glad to ſhew the Embaſſadours the houſe of his precious things. Iſa. 39.….How are others puffed up with the ſmiles and reſpects of great men? And yet how ſoon may the Sun be over-caſt? Then they are no more heeded than the Dial is, when the Sun is in a Cloud, How doth the bodily ſtrength and perfections of others ſwell them, though every moment they are going down into the duſt? What is your life? It is even a vapour, James 4.14.that appeareth for a little time, and then vaniſheth away. How are others ſwell'd with their Church-priviledges? The Temple of the Lord, Ezek. 7.4.the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord are we. Theſe are lying words not to be truſted in. Others with their revelations and high enjoyments? 3 Cor. 12.7.Paul was in danger of being exalted above meaſure through the abundance of the revelations, therefore was given to him a thorn in the fleſh, the meſſenger of Satan to buffet him, leſt he ſhould be exalted above meaſure. Rom. 12.3. Gal. 6.3.How few have heeded that of the Apoſtle, Let no man think of himſelf more highly than he ought to think? and that, If a man think himſelf to be ſomething, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himſelf. How have we been puff'd up with our Reformation, Miniſters, Churches, Profeſſours? Preferring them before others at home and abroad.
13. How little ſuſpicion have we of our ſelves? Not ſuſpecting themſelves.Of our baſeneſs, and ſinfullneſs, the deceits and treachery of our own hearts? With how much confidence do we thruſt our ſelves into wicked mens company, and fear not to be leavened with them? How little do we ſuſpect that we ſhall fall from the grace we have, or ſeem to have? We are high minded and therefore fear not. We do not ſuſpect that there are worſe abominations within than yet are diſcovered. How do we (pretend to) bleſs God that our hearts are good? We fear not the worſt of our ſelves. If others be overcome with uncleanneſs, paſſion, &c. we are confident we ſhall never ſo diſhonour God.
14. Fuming at plain dealing.Do not we fret and fume when any go about to diſcover the vileneſs within? I have heard of ſome Ladies, that have hated the glaſs that gave them a true ſight of their ſpots, Pſa. 141.5.and deformities. Humble David loved them beſt who moſt convincingly reproved him for what was amiſs in him.
15. Not being able to deny themſelves in any lawfull content. Being troubled that any Rule beſides themſelves.We muſt be pleaſed: we muſt have our ſports, and the utmoſt of our liberty, though GOd and man ſuffer by it never ſo much: we cannot ſtoop to deny our ſelves ſome lawfull contentments, though God be to be honoured thereby.
16. How have we been troubled that any ſave our ſelves have Ruled and been in Authority? Few have learnt the Humility of Jothams Olive-tree, Fig-tree, and Vine? The Bramble thinks himſelf worthy to be in the higheſt place. O! what fightings, what ſidings, what Plots to get higher? Haman was never contented till every knee bowed: not ſo much as one Mordecai muſt be excuſed. If men would but ſpeak out, they think they are fitter for Magiſtrates and Miniſters, than thoſe that are employed: ſo that whereas the humble man thinks every one better than himſelf, they on the contrary think themſelves the only men. 1 Pet. 2.13.Do not we account it below us to to ſubmit to every Ordinance of man, though for the Lords ſake? And when we cannot do what we are commanded, who ſuffers meekly and not in anger againſt the higheſt Powers? Do not we ſuffer in proud wrath?Prov. 21.24. And glad to be commended by others, though they diſcommend themſelves.
17. How glad are we if others take notice of our actions? And how are we pleaſed if they commend us for them; and yet we would not have them think ſo? We will diſcommend our own Prayers, for deadneſs, ſtraitneſs, and our ſelves for want of parts, &c. on purpoſe to draw forth others praiſe. How few are unwilling that others ſhould have good thoughts of them, in reference to themſelves? How few are troubled at the praiſes of their friends more than at flaſhes of lightning caſt into their faces?
18. How do we rejoyce, when others cry us up, yea to be cryed up undeſervedly.even when we know it is unjuſtly, when we know how hollow-hearted, low-ſpirited, and ſelfiſh we are? Are not we exceedingly pleaſed at the flowers that are ſpread upon our dead Corps? Though the praiſes be not due to us, yet how do we drink them in as the Hart doth water.
19. How Magiſterial have we been? Being Dictatours to others.What great Dictatours to others; as if all were bound to dance after us? We will not abate at all, but every poor Mordecai muſt do obeyſance to our opinion.
20. How are we guilty of deſpiſing, Deſpiſing others.yea ſcorning thoſe that are (as we think) below us in Birth, in Eſtate, in Power, in Parts, and Gifts, yea in graces? Iſa. 58.9.How do we evidence our ſlighting of them in our looks, in our words, in our geſtures and behaviours? Pride (ſaith one) is a bad Mother of many bad Children, theſe three eſpecially, boaſting of our ſelves, contending with, and deſpiſing of others. Job. 35.6.How unlike are we herein unto God? Behold God is mighty (i. e. moſt mighty, moſt great, the poſitive is put for the ſuperlative degree) and yet he deſpiſeth not any, i. e. any of thoſe who have no might, no greatneſs: yea how do we herein reproach our Maker? God (ſaith one) made every man an object of reſpect, or pity, 'tis Pride that makes any the objects of contempt, Prov. 17.5.and in them their Maker. Who ſo mocketh the poor, reproacheth his Maker.
21. unwilling to confeſs their faults unto others.How few will confeſs their faults unto others? Perhaps they will reform, but hate it to the death to go and acknowledge their treſpaſſes to others, whom 'tis clear and proved they have treſpaſſed againſt. How many have you injured by tale-bearing, backbiting, &c. Muſt not God work a miracle to perſwade us to make reiſtitution, to go to the parties wronged, and confeſs the wrong there, and then to go from houſe to houſe to vindicate and clear the party, there where before we had wickedly ſtained and aſperſed him? This makes me cry out, Lord, who ſhall be ſaved? Lord, many are called, but few are choſen.
22. Reproving haughtily Iſa. 3.5.When we go about that too too much neglected duty of fraternal correption, how loftily do we manage it? How do our words, yea looks, and geſtures, evidence our haughtineſs? The Child behaveth himſelf proudly againſt the Ancient.Vindicating themſelvs maliciouſly.
23. What a ſtirr, what a noiſe do we make to vindicate our ſelves when aſperſed and calumniated? Whereas the humble Soul would never ſtirr to clear himſelf (as knowing how much guilt and ſin there is within) were it not for the honour of God, and the edification of the Lords people, which may be hindred, if prejudices and unjuſt reproaches be not removed: Alas! moſt men ſtudy revenges, and like the Grave are unſatiable in their malicious vindications.
24. Being bloudily minded toward their diſſenting Brethren.How bitter have we been againſt diſſenting Brethren? Would we not have caſt them out of the Land, if we might have had our wills? Did not we talk of ſhipping away all that would not ſubmit to our way of worſhip? Did not we count them, who were divided in circumſtances and ceremonies from us, like Dogs and Pagans, unfit to ſubſiſt among us?
No wonder if for theſe things God make us a ſhame, and a deriſion, a Proverb, and a by-word to all the Nations round about us. O! our Pride teſtifies to our faces: we are guilty of what brought down fire on Sodom: This is the ſin, that God ſetteth himſelf in battel-array againſt, Jam. 4.6.(ſo the word for reſiſting in that Scripture, God reſiſteth the proud, ſignifieth:) 'Tis that which makes God abhor us and our offerings. Prov. 16.5.Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord. Believe it, Gods eyes are upon the haughty, that he may bring them down, and he watcheth his opportunity to do it. Pſa. 38.6.The Lord knoweth the proud afar off. When God meets with a ſpectacle, that he cannot endure to look upon, he turns from it, whilſt it is afarr off. What ſhall I ſay? Pride is the firſt of thoſe ſeven things, Prov. 6.17.which are an abomination to the Lord. And no wonder that God ſo loatheth it, whilſt it croſſeth the great deſign of God in the Goſpel, which is to humble the mountains, 1 Cor. 1.29, 31.that no fleſh ſhould glory in his preſence, but that he that glorieth, ſhould glory only in the Lord.