Spiritual perfection, unfolded and enforced from 2 Cor. VII, 1 having therefore these promises,…

Pride is the Parent of Contention: it exasperates the Sense of a small Offence, puts an edge upon Anger, and has often ⟨p. 77⟩afforded tragical Subjects, that have filled the Scenes with Tears and Blood. Humility produces Patience: for it makes a Man lower in his own Eyes, than he is in the opinion of others. Pride treats others with Contempt and Censure, and thereby provokes them to turn Reverence into Despising, and Love into Hatred: When a proud Man falls into Misery, he is the least lamented.

Pride is the Parent of Contention: it exasperates the Sense of a small Offence, puts an edge upon Anger, and has often ⟨p. 77⟩afforded tragical Subjects, that have fill'd the Scenes with Tears and Blood. Humility produces Patience: for it makes a Man lower in his own Eyes, than he is in the opinion of others. Pride treats others with Contempt and Censure, and thereby provokes them to turn Reverence into Despising, and Love into Hatred: When a proud Man falls into Misery, he is the least lamented.

That the Cure of this Lust is very difficult, will be evident by a Complexion of Considerations.

1. Pride is the Sin to which Angels and Men in their best state were peculiarly liable. The Angels intermitting the vision of the Divine Glory, and reflecting upon their Excellencies, were intoxicated with Self-admiration. 'Tis strange to Amazement, that they should so suddenly unlearn their Natures, and disclaim their Maker, who had prevented them with his excellent Benefits, and raised them to that Bright Eminence above other Creatures. Man in the state of unstained Innocence, when all Perfections of Body and Mind entered into his Composition, with all his Luminaries and Graces was Corrupted by Pride. You shall be like Gods, was the Temptation that corrupted him. Prodigious disorder! His Pride begins when his