Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

2. But the remnant of Pride is usually the most notable sin, of the weak Christian: Though it reigneth not, it solely blemisheth him. He would fain be taken for some body in the Church: He is ready to step up into a higher room, and to think himself wiser and better than he is. If he can but speak confidently of the principles of Religion, and some few controversies which he hath made himself sick with, he is ready to think himself fit to be a preacher. He looketh through a magnifying glass upon all his own performances and gifts: He loveth to be valued and praised: ⟨p. 72⟩He can hardly bear to be slighted and dispraised, but is ready to think hardly of those that do it, if not to hate them in some degree. He loveth not to be found fault with, though it be necessary to his amendment. And though all this vice of pride be not so predominant in him, as to conquer his humility, yet doth it much obscure and interrupt it: And though he hate this his pride and strive against it, and lamenteth it before God, yet still it is the forest ulcer in his soul: And should it prevail and overcome him, he would be abhorred of God, and it would be his ruin. 2 Chro. 16.10, 12. Luk. 22.24, 25, 26.

2. But the remnant of Pride is usually the most notable sin, of the weak Christian: Though it reigneth not, it souly blemisheth him. He would fain be taken for some body in the Church: He is ready to step up into a higher room, and to think himself wiser and better than he is. If he can but speak confidently of the principles of Religion, and some few controversies which he hath made himself sick with, he is ready to think himself fit to be a preacher. He looketh through a magnifying glass upon all his own performances and gifts: He loveth to be valued and praised: ⟨p. 72⟩He can hardly bear to be slighted and dispraised, but is ready to think hardly of those that do it, if not to hate them in some degree. He loveth not to be found fault with, though it be necessary to his amendment. And though all this vice of pride be not so predominant in him, as to conquer his humility, yet doth it much obscure and interrupt it: And though he hate this his pride and strive against it, and lamenteth it before God, yet still it is the forest ulcer in his soul: And should it prevail and overcome him, he would be abhorred of God, and it would be his ruine.