A27016:816
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Francis Tyton, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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. The objection is most against the Lord. If it be an error to Honour and extol the Godly, as tending to make them Proud, it is God himself that is the owner of it. The words that I have recited to you are his own words. Do we devise these sayings? Or do we not show them you in the Scripture? And dare you charge God with error, or encouraging Pride? Do you think he knew not what he said, when he spake such Honourable things of his servants. Did he need you to have taught him to have indited his word, and to have warned him that he make not his servants proud! As if he hated not pride as much as you!
5. The objection is most against the Lord. If it be an errour to Honour and extol the Godly, as tending to make them Proud, it is God himself that is the owner of it. The words that I have recited to you are his own words. Do we devise these sayings? Or do we not shew them you in the Scripture? And dare you charge God with errour, or encouraging Pride? Do you think he knew not what he said, when he spake such Honourable things of his servants. Did he need you to have taught him to have endited his word, and to have warned him that he make not his servants proud! As if he hated not pride as much as you!
6. Yea God will do more then this for his servants, he will advance them to Salvation, and yet he will not make them proud. There is no Pride in Heaven, though there be the greatest Glory. The Angels are most glorious, and yet least proud. If you would not wish God to keep men out of Heaven lest it make them proud, you should not grudge at his Honouring them on earth, with the mention of their Heavenly titles, upon that account.
7. The Exaltation of the Saints is a spiritual exaltation, which is not so apt to make men Proud, as carnal exaltation is. Charity puffeth not up, as •ery knowledge doth. It is selfishness that is the Life of Pride, (which consisteth in excessive self-esteem, and desire of an excessive esteem with others, and to be magnified by them) And nothing but Grace can subdue this selfishness, and therefore nothing else can destroy Pride.