A26892:2043
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.
5. If it be fine Clothes and gaudy Ornaments that you are proud of, it is a sin so foolish and worse than childish, that I shall give it no other confutation, than to tell you, that it contradicteth it self, by making the person a scorn and laughing stock to others, when their design was to be more admired; and that an Ass or a Post may have as fine and costly attire as you; and that shortly1 you shall change it for a Winding-sheet.
5. If it be fine Clothes and gaudy Ornaments that you are proud of, it is a sin so foolish and worse than childi•h, that I shall give it no other confutation, than to tell you, that it contradicteth it self, by making the person a scorn and laughing stock to others, when their design was to be more admired; and that an Ass or a Post may have as fine and costly attire as you; and that shortly1 you shall change it for a Winding-sheet.
- 1•sa. 3.
6. Is it your birth, and progenitors, and great friends that you are proud of? Personal merits are incomparably more excellent, than this relation to the most meritorious parents; much more than a relation to their empty titles. Cain was the Son of Adam the Father of mankind, and Ham of Noah, and Esau of Jacob, and Absalom of David; when a godly Son of a wicked Father is more honourable than they. Your ancestors are but of the common stock of sinful Adam: and your great friends may possibly become your enemies: and it is little that the greatest of them can do for you, if God be not your friend.
6. Is it your birth, and progenitors, and great friends that you are proud of? Personal merits are incomparably more excellent, than this relation to the most meritorious parents; much more than a relation to their empty titles. Cain was the Son of Adam the Father of mankind, and Cham of Noah, and Esau of Iacob, and Absalom of David; when a godly Son of a wicked Father is more honourable than they. Your ancestors are but of the common stock of sinful Adam: and your great friends may possibly become your enemies: and it is little that the greatest of them can do for you, if God be not your friend.