A26951:2048
The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…
The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb. 11, 1, formerly preached before His Majesty, and published by his command, with another added for the fuller application : the second is instructions for confirming believers in the Christian faith : the third is directions how to live by faith, or how to exercise it upon all occasions / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1670
Part 3 › Chapter 15: How to be poor in spirit. And how to escape the pride of Prosperity.
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.
2. The Proud do make too great a matter of that honour which perhaps may be their due: They plot for it: they set their hearts upon it. If they are slighted, or others preferred before them, their countenances are cast down, as Cains; or they are troubled, as Haman; or they will revenge it, as Cain, and as Joab upon Abner: Touch their honour, and you touch their hearts: Despise them, and you torment them, or make them your enemies.
But the Poor in spirit regard their honour, as they do other matters of this world; that is, with moderation, and so far as it is conducible to the honour of Religion, or their Country, or to the service and business of their lives. They will not be Prodigals of that which they may serve God by: and they will not be over desirous of that which may be a bait to Pride, and a snare to their souls, though it gratify the fleshly fancy. They will seek it, as if they sought it not; and possess it, as if they possest it not, remembering how vain a thing man is, and how little his thoughts or breath can do, to make us happy: God is so great in a Believers eye, and man and worldly vanity is so small, that a lowly mind can scarce have room and time to regard the honour which is the proud mans portion; because he is taken up with honouring his God, and esteeming the honour which consisteth in his approbation.
But the Poor in spirit regard their honour, as they do other matters of this world; that is, with moderation, and so far as it is conducible to the honour of Religion, or their Country, or to the service and business of their lives. They will not be Prodigals of that which they may serve God by: and they will not be over desirous of that which may be a bait to Pride, and a snare to their souls, though it gratifie the fleshly fancy. They will seek it, as if they sought it not; and possess it, as if they possest it not, remembring how vain a thing man is, and how little his thoughts or breath can do, to make us happy: God is so great in a Believers eye, and man and worldly vanity is so small, that a lowly mind can scarce have room and time to regard the honour which is the proud mans portion; because he is taken up with honouring his God, and esteeming the honour which consisteth in his approbation.