A26892:1965
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 1 › Chapter 4 › Part 5 › The Signs of Pride in and about Religious duties.
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.
§. 45. Sign 3. The Proud are loath to be clouded by the greater abilities of others: They are content1 that weaker men pray or preach with them, that will not obscure but put off their parts, that they2 may have the preeminence; as a dwarf that makes another seem a proper man: They are less troubled that God and the Gospel is dishonoured by the infirmities, insufficiency and faults of others, than that ⟨p. 238⟩their glory is obscured by worthier men, though God be honoured and his work promoted. Whereas the humbled person wisheth from the bottom of his heart, that all the Lords people were Prophets; that all men could preach, and pray, and discourse, and live much better than he doth himself (though he would also be as good as they). He is glad when he heareth any speak more judiciously, powerfully and convincingly than he, rejoicing that Gods work is done, whoever do it: For he loveth Wisdom and Holiness, Truth and duty, not only because it is his own, but for it self and for God and for the souls of others. A Proud man envieth both the parts, and work, and honour of others: And is like the Devil, repining at the gifts of God; and the better and wiser any one is the more he envieth him: He is an enemy to the fruits of Gods beneficence; as if he would have God less Good and bountiful to the world, or to any but himself, and such as will serve his party and interest and honour with their gifts: His eye is evil because God is Good. If others be better spoken of than himself as more learned, able, wise or holy, it kindleth in his breast a secret hatred of them, unless they are such whose honour is his honour, or contributeth thereto: Whereas the holy humble soul, is sorry that he wants what others have, but glad that others have what he wants. He loveth Gods gifts where-ever he seeth them; yea though it were in one that hateth him: He would not have the world to be shut up in a perpetual night, because he may not be the Sun; but would have them receive that by another which he cannot give them, and is glad that they have a Sun though it be not he: Though some preached Christ of envy and strife, of contention and not sincerely, to add afflictions to his bonds, yet Paul rejoiced, and would rejoice, that Christ was preached: Phil. 1. 15, 16, 17, 18