A Christian Directory

§. 83. 2. There is scarce a sin to be thought on that is not a spawn in the bowels of Pride. To stance in some few (besides all that are expressed in the signs), 1. It maketh men Hypocrites, and […] what they are not, for the praise of men. 2. It makes men Liars: Most of the Lies that are […] in the world, are to avoid some disgrace and shame, or to get men to think highly of them. […] sin is committed against God or your superiors instead of humble confession, Pride would cove•••• with a lye. 3. It causeth covetousness, that they may not want provision for their Pride. 4. […] maketh men flatterers and time-servers, and man-pleasers, that they may win the good esteem others. 5. It makes men run into profaneness, and riotousness, to do as others do to avoid […] shame of their reproach and scorn, that else would account them singular and precise. 6. It can tal•• men off from any duty to God that the company is against: They dare not pray, nor speak a serio•• word of God, for fear of a jeer from a scorners mouth. 7. It is so contentious a sin, that it makes men firebrands in the societies where they live: There is no quiet living with them longer than they have their own saying, will and way: They must bear the sway, and not be crossed: And when all is done, there is no pleasing them; for the missing of a word, or a look, or a complement, will catch on their hearts, as a spark on gunpowder. 8. It tears in pieces Church and State: Where was ever civil war raised, or Kingdom endangered or ruined, or Church divided, oppressed or persecuted, but Pride was the great and evident cause? 9. It devoureth the mercies and good creatures of God, and sacrificeth them to the Devil! It is a chargeable sin! What a deal doth it consume in clothes, and buildings, and attendance, and entertainments, and unnecessary things. 10. It is an odious thief and prodigal of precious time. How many hours that should be better employed, and must one day be accounted for, are cast away upon the foresaid works of Pride? Especially in the needless complements and visits of Gallants, and the dressings of some vain light-headed women, in which they spend almost half the day, and can scarce find an hour in a morning for prayer, or meditation, or reading the scriptures, because they cannot be ready:

§. 83. 2. There is scarce a sin to be thought on that is not a spawn in the bowels of Pride. To stance in some few (besides all that are expressed in the signs), 1. It maketh men Hypocrites, and what they are not, for the praise of men. 2. It makes men Lyars: Most of the Lyes that are in the world, are to avoid some disgrace and shame, or to get men to think highly of them. sin is committed against God or your superiors instead of humble confession, Pride would cove with a lye. 3. It causeth covetousness, that they may not want provision for their Pride. 4. maketh men flatterers and time-servers, and man-pleasers, that they may win the good esteem others. 5. It makes men run into profaneness, and riotousness, to do as others do to avoid shame of their reproach and scorn, that else would account them singular and precise. 6. It can tal men off from any duty to God that the company is against: They dare not pray, nor speak a serio word of God, for fear of a jear from a scorners mouth. 7. It is so contentious a sin, that it makes men firebrands in the societies where they live: There is no quiet living with them longer than they have their own saying, will and way: They must bear the sway, and not be crossed: And when all is done, there is no pleasing them; for the missing of a word, or a look, or a complement, will catch on their hearts, as a spark on gunpowder. 8. It tears in pieces Church and State: Where was ever civil war raised, or Kingdom endangered or ruined, or Church divided, oppressed or persecuted, but Pride was the great and evident cause? 9. It devoureth the mercies and good creatures of God, and sacrificeth them to the Devil! It is a chargeable sin! What a deal doth it consume in cloaths, and buildings, and attendance, and entertainments, and unnecessary things. 10. It is an odious thief and prodigal of precious time. How many hours that should be better employed, and must one day be accounted for, are cast away upon the foresaid works of Pride? Especially in the needless complements and visits of Gallants, and the dressings of some vain light-headed women, in which they spend allmost half the day, and can scarce find an hour in a morning for prayer, or meditation, or reading the scriptures, because they cannot be ready: