A26810:117
Spiritual perfection, unfolded and enforced from 2 Cor. VII, 1 having therefore these promises,…
Spiritual perfection, unfolded and enforced from 2 Cor. VII, 1 having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God / by William Bates ...
London: printed for Jonathan Robinson, 1699
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
In short, Virtue like the Sun is crowned with its own Beams, and needs no foreign Lustre; and it argues a sound Mind to esteem Praise as a resultance from Virtue, and Virtue for it self: But a proud Man as proud, prefers the praise and shadow of Virtue before the reality: As a vain Woman would rather wear a counterfeit Necklace that is esteemed true, than one of the finest Oriental Pearls that is esteemed counterfeit.
In short, Vertue like the Sun is crown'd with its own Beams, and needs no foreign Lustre; and it argues a sound Mind to esteem Praise as a resultance from Vertue, and Vertue for it self: But a proud Man as proud, prefers the praise and shadow of Vertue before the reality: As a vain Woman would rather wear a counterfeit Necklace that is esteem'd true, than one of the finest Oriental Pearls that is esteem'd counterfeit.
3. Ambition, or the hot aspiring after high Places, and Titles of Precedency and Power, is another branch of Pride. The desire of Superiority in this instance, is so natural and universal, that 'tis manifest in Persons of the lowest Rank: Servants, Shepherds, Labourers, desire Power over others in their condition. 'Tis like Fire, the more 'tis fed the more1 'tis increased. Ambition, if reinforced by Emulation, will venture through foul ways, by Treachery, by Oppression, and by Indignities, to obtain Dignity. If any cross accident spoil their Feathers of flying to their mark, they fall into Melancholy:2 If any Competitors be preferred, they are ready to say, 'twas not Virtue or Merit, but Favour and Fortune that advanced them; and that their own desert makes them unfortunate; ⟨p. 67⟩according to the two properties of Pride, to exalt themselves, and depress others.
3. Ambition, or the hot aspiring after high Places, and Titles of Precedency and Power, is another branch of Pride. The desire of Superiority in this instance, is so natural and universal, that 'tis manifest in Persons of the lowest Rank: Servants, Shepherds, Labourers, desire Power over others in their condition. 'Tis like Fire, the more 'tis fed the more