A20529:98
Four godly and fruitful sermons two preached at Drayton in Oxford-shire, at a fast,…Foure godlie and fruitful sermons two preached at Draiton in Oxford-shire, at a fast,…
Four godly and fruitful sermons two preached at Drayton in Oxford-shire, at a fast, enjoined by authority, by occasion of the pestilence then dangerously dispersed. Likewise two other sermons on the twelfth Psalm. Whereunto is annexed a brief tract of zeal. / By I. Dod. R. Cleaver.Foure godlie and fruitful sermons two preached at Draiton in Oxford-shire, at a fast, enioyned by authoritie, by occasion of the pestilence then dangerously dispearsed. Likewise two other sermons on the twelfth Psalme. VVhereunto is annexed a briefe tract of zeale. / By I. Dod. R. Cleauer.
London: printed by T.C. for William Welbie, 1611
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now because men are ready to think that there is not in them such store of pride, as that they greatly need Gods medicines to cure them of it, or if they do see their pride, they are ready to sit down discouraged, as if it were unpossible to get the better of it, therefore will it not be amiss to set down some fruits and effects of pride, whereby it may be discerned, and some remedies and helps against it, by virtue whereof it may be cured.
Now because men are readie to thinke that there is not in them such store of pride, as that they greatly neede Gods medicines to cure them of it, or if they doe see their pride, they are readie to sit downe discouraged, as if it were vnpossible to get the better of it, therefore will it not be amisse to set downe some fruits and effects of pride, whereby it may be discerned, and some remedies and helpes against it, by vertue whereof it may be cured.
Concerning the first point, it were an infinite work to reckon up all the effects of pride,1 and therefore I will §1only touch some few of the principal, whereby we may be led to a sight of the rest:2 And the first of them shall be that where of Solomon speaketh, saying, Only by pride doeth man make contention: many there are that do ignorantly imagine they were never proud in all their life; but let them consider better of the matter; did they never brawl nor contend with any in all their life? if they did, certain it is that they were proud: for look how much contention there is, so much pride there is in every man. Which may be an evident argument to prove that this sin doeth greatly sway every where: for if we look into most families, and even into those of the purest sort (who think themselves most free ⟨p. 25⟩from pride) shall we not find many jars betwixt husband and wife; betwixt master and servants, betwixt brethren and sisters, betwixt neighbour and neighbour? this is so palpable that none can deny it; and therefore let not men deceive themselves, but see and acknowledge and bewail the wretched haughtiness of their hearts.