A26892:2044
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.
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.
7. Is it your learning, or wisdom, or ability for speech or action that you are proud of? Remember that the Devils and many that are now in Hell, have far exceeded you in these: And that the wiser you are indeed, the humbler you will be; and by pride you confute your ostentation of your wisdom: Achitophels wisdom which saveth not the owner from perdition, is little cause of glorying. Jer. 8. 8, 9. There were men that boasted of their wisdom, even in the Law of God, who yet were ashamed and dismayed: for they rejected the Word of the Lord; and then what wisdom could there be in them? Therefore thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches, but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which exercise loving kindness, judgement and righteousness in the earth: for in these do I delight, saith the Lord: