A30242:980
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
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.
1. Pride and self-conceit, or overweening of thy own abilities and sufficiency; such a man is in the high way to all errors, For the humble and meek God will teach, Psal. 25. The valleys are fruitful, when the high mountains are barren. Therefore the Apostle in this Epistle, and in many others beateth down pride and vain-glory, H• that thinketh he knoweth any thing, knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know, 1 Cor. 8.2. Oh this is a golden truth! A man must have that modesty, that humility, as to think himself a Disciple, rather than a Teacher. Paul that had such extraordinary Revelations, God gave him a thorn in the flesh; some extraordinary heavy temptation, to humble him, that he might not be lifted up, 2 Cor. 12. Consider that God will make manifest all those secret works of thy heart. Thou thinkest it zeal, thou thinkest thou hast received greater abilities than others: but God will make it known, whether it be no• thy self-confidence, thy self-conceit or no. As in the Apostles times, they had miracles to confirm their Doctrine, and that they were of God; they did heal the sick, and raise the dead: So I may now say, humility is that miracle, which may confirm our Doctrine; If thou art of God, if thy ways are of God, thou hast no glory, no ⟨p. 172⟩boasting in thy self above others. Christs symbol was a Lamb, and the Spirit of God appeared in the form of a Dove: If thou hast the Spirit of God and Christ, thou wilt be of a Lamb-like, Dove-like disposition. Take heed then of heart-pride, and pride of gifts; it's worse than pride in clothes or wealth. This carrieth thee to the pinnacle of a Temple, sets thee on high, and throweth thee headlong Unless a man become as a little child, he cannot be my Disciple, Matth. 18 4. Here is a copy of humility and modesty to write after Many Heretics have b•en bold, self-conceited men; the first that ever were almost in the Church, called themselves G•ostici, The knowing men, as if none had knowledge or understanding but they; but God will raise a tempest that shall discover this root under ground.