A26892:2022
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.
Others rather marvel at the greatness and continuance of judgements, and expostulate with God as dealing hardly and unkindly with them, and tell him how good a people he afflicteth: These only understand the sinfulness of their very humiliations and prayers, through the weakness of that good which should be in them, and the mixture of much •vil; when the proud are marvelling if God hear them not at the first word: These only wait in patience for Gods answer, and accept of mercy in his time and measure, when the proud are short-winded, and if God come not just when they expected, they do with Saul make1 h•ste, or murmur at his providence, and say it is in vain to serve the Lord, and begin to think of forsaking him and taking some better way. These proud ones that have joined in outward Humiliations, and have lift up themselves in heart, while they cast down their bodies, are they that have turned the heart of God so much against us, to break us in pieces, because he hath found among us, so many of the proud whom he taketh for his enemies: We have had those humbling themselves ⟨p. 248⟩in our assemblies, that were wise in their own eyes, despising, and scorning, and reviling their2 Teachers, such as undervalued and censured others, that were not for their opinions and interest;3 that overloved the respect and honour that is from men; and could not endure to be disesteemed or little set by; that could not bear an injury or a foul word, but were prone to anger, if not revenge, that could not seek peace, nor stoop to others; nor bear plain-dealing in reproof; nor forgive a wrong without much submission; that had high expectations from others; and loved those best that most esteemed them; that counted it baseness to stoop to the meanest places or services for others good; yea that quarrelled with God, his word and providences, and valued no other mercies but those that exalted themselves or pleased their flesh (which proved judgements): And yet while they thus by pride excommunicated themselves from the face of God, and made themselves abhorred by him, they separated from the holiest assemblies and servants of God in the land, as unworthy of communion with such as they, unless they would first become of their opinion or sect. We little consider how great a hand this Pride hath had in our desolations.