and all these examples do take away all excuse from us, if we do yield and be overcome with the same. Thirdly, the means which God useth to cure this Pride in his, is generally the knowledge of their own corruption and misery: for if we rightly know1 that, it will minister matter enough to humble us: yea, if we look unto our first estate, even there we may be humbled: first, because we were made of dust. Secondly, seeing our state was subject to falling and change: Nay, if we look to the state in which we are by grace, we may learn humility: First, because we stand by grace and favour: secondly, because many infirmities are in us: but most of all, if we behold our state by Nature; for there we see nothing but destruction, because we be the children of wrath. Thus Paul was2 humbled by beholding his natural corruption: but it was no light consideration which he had of it, but a deep meditation, as is manifest in that he calleth it the Minister of Satan, a prick, &c. Paul when he saw his corruption rebel, he therein did behold3 Satan as our Saviour Christ did, when Peter tempted him, because as Peter saith, he goeth about continually, seeking sometime by our corruption, sometime by other means to destroy us; and therefore he did more diligently watch and arm himself against him, as it behooved him, being besieged of so mighty an enemy. This therefore is the cause why we are overcome with our afflictions, because we make but a light matter of them, and do not watch and arm our selves against them. And in that Paul saith, the Minister of Satan was sent to buffet him, he showeth what power the devil hath, and that he can do nothing, but as he hath licence granted from God, as appeared in the story of Job, and other places; and yet Satan buffeted him, that is, after a most contemptuous manner used him: where again we see what account Paul maketh of corruption, when he compareth it to this spiteful dealing. Again, when he calleth it a prick or stub, he4 showeth how it grieved him: for as a man that hath a long journey to go among stubs, will soon be weary; So Paul, considering his continual journey which he had to go, wherein his corruption did still prick him, did show by this speech that it was grievous unto him.
and all these examples doe take away all excuse from vs, if we doe yeeld and be ouercome with the same. Thirdlie, the meanes which God vseth to cure this Pride in his, is generally the knowledge of their owne corruption and miserie: for if wee rightly know1 that, it will minister matter enough to humble vs: yea, if wee looke vnto our first estate, euen there we may be humbled: first, because we were made of dust. Secondly, seeing our state was subiect to falling and chaunge: Nay, if we looke to the state in which wee are by grace, we may learne humilitie: First, because we stand by grace and fauour: secondly, because manie infirmities are in vs: but most of all, if wee beholde our state by Nature; for there we see nothing but destruction, because we be the children of wrath. Thus Paul was2 humbled by beholding his naturall corruption: but it was no light consideration which hee had of it, but a deepe meditation, as is manifest in that hee calleth it the Minister of Sathan, a pricke, &c. Paul when hee saw his corruption rebell, hee therein did beholde3 Sathan as our Sauiour Christ did, when Peter tempted him, because as Peter saith, hee goeth about continually, seeking sometime by our corruption, sometime by other meanes to destroy vs; and therefore he did more diligently watch and arme himselfe against him, as it behooued him, being besieged of so mightie an enemie. This therefore is the cause why we are ouercome with our afflictions, because we make but a light matter of them, and doe not watch and arme our selues against them. And in that Paul saith, the Minister of Sathan was sent to buffet him, he sheweth what power the diuell hath, and that hee can doe nothing, but as hee hath licence graunted from God, as appeared in the storie of Iob, and other places; and yet Sathan buffeted him, that is, after a most contemptuous manner vsed him: where againe we see what account Paul maketh of corruption, when hee compareth it to this spightfull dealing. Againe, when hee calleth it a pricke or stubbe, hee4 sheweth how it grieued him: for as a man that hath a long iourney to goe among stubbes, will soone be wearie; So Paul, considering his continuall iourney which hee had to goe, wherein his corruption did still pricke him, did shewe by this speech that it was grieuous vnto him.
- 13 Means to cure pride.3 Meanes to cure pride.
- 2Rom. 7.
- 32. Cor. 12.
- 4Simile.
