A26892:1997
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 › Signs of Pride in common converse.
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.
§. 74. Sign 23. Pride maketh men talkative; and more desirous to speak than to hear, and to teach1 than to be taught; because such think highly of their own understandings; and think others have2 more need of their instructions, than they of other mens. Not that Humility is any enemy to communicative Charity, or to zealous endeavours for the converting and edifying of souls: But a teaching, talking disposition, where there is no need, and beyond the measure of your calling and abilities, when you have more need to learn your selves, is the fruit of Pride. When you take less heed what another saith to you, than you expect he should take of what you say to him: when your talk is not so much by way of question as becomes a learner, but in the discourses and dictates of a Teacher: when you are so full of any thing that is your own, and so contemptuous of what is said by others, that you have not the patience to hear them silently till they come to the end, but unmannerly interrupt them, and set in your selves; which is as much as to say, Hold your tongue, and let me speak that am more wise and worthy: when you strive to have the most words, and to be speaking; as Horses in a race strive who shall go foremost: This is because pride puffs you up, and moves your tongues as a leaf is shaken by the wind: it fills your sails; and makes you like Bagpipes that are loudest when they are full of wind and pressed. Eccl. 10. 14. A fool is full of words. Prov. 10. 19. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
§. 74. Sign 23. Pride maketh men talkative; and more desirous to speak than to hear, and to teach1 than to be taught; because such think highly of their own understandings; and think others have2 more need of their instructions, than they of other mens. Not that Humility is any enemy to communicative Charity, or to zealous endeavours for the converting and edifying of souls: But a teaching, talking disposition, where there is no need, and beyond the measure of your calling and abilities, when you have more need to learn your selves, is the fruit of Pride. When you take less heed what another saith to you, than you expect he should take of what you say to him: when your talk is not so much by way of question as becomes a learner, but in the discourses and dictates of a Teacher: when you are so full of any thing that is your own, and so contemptuous of what is said by others, that you have not the patience to hear them silently till they come to the end, but unmannerly interrupt them, and set in your selves; which is as much as to say, Hold your tongue, and let me speak that am more wise and worthy: when you strive to have the most words, and to be speaking; as Horses in a race strive who shall go foremost: This is because pride puffs you up, and moves your tongues as a leaf is shaken by the wind: it fills your sails; and makes you like Bagpipes that are lowdest when they are full of wind and pressed.