The very Peacock having fine feathers, over-weens himself, and is proud of them. As we say, Fine feathers, make fine birds, ⟨p. 390⟩so we may say, Fine feathers, make proud birds. And no wonder if it be so with silly birds; for even wise men, if they receive any thing that is goodly from the hand of God, are very apt to be as proud of it, as the Peacock of his goodly wings. If the Lord doth but give us a few gay feathers, a little more riches than others, a little more honour than others (these are gay feathers) or if the Lord give us better and higher parts than others (these are gayer feathers) How hard is it for us to keep down high thoughts, or not to soar high upon these wings and feathers, in admitting thoughts and airy conceits of our selves, though the holy Ghost every where way-layeth the pride of our hearts by many arguments, by this especially, because all we have is given us by God, and we have nothing of our own. The Lord hath given man many goodly feathers, beauty and strength of body to many, riches and honour to not a few, wit, learning, eloquence to some, and to others spiritual gifts and graces, which are the goodliest feathers of all. Now seeing, all these are given us, why should we be proud of any one of them? yea, how humble should we be, though adorned with them all! Hence that Apostolical check to proud ones (1 Cor. 4.7.) What hast thou that thou didst not receive? and if thou hast received it, why dost thou glory or boast, as if thou hadst not received it? In these words he more than implieth two things; First, That they who have received those goodlier feathers of spiritual gifts and graces, are in danger of being lifted up by them. Secondly, That they ought not. The Angels who fell, had goodly feathers, and they were lifted up, not only in pride with what they had received, and were beholding to God for, but in pride to have more, or get higher, and not be beholding to God for it. There is a temptation in any good thing, a great temptation in goodly things, to pride; and therefore we had need to pray when we have any thing that is goodly, whether it be natural, civil, moral, or spiritual, to be kept humble and preserved from pride. The Apostle Paul was in danger to be exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revelations which he had, when caught up to the third heaven (2 Cor. 12.3, 7.)
The very Peacock having fine feathers, over-weenes himself, and is proud of them. As we say, Fine feathers, make fine birds, ⟨p. 390⟩so we may say, Fine feathers, make proud birds. And no wonder if it be so with silly birds; for even wise men, if they receive any thing that is goodly from the hand of God, are very apt to be as proud of it, as the Peacock of his goodly wings. If the Lord doth but give us a few gay feathers, a little more riches than others, a little more honour than others (these are gay feathers) or if the Lord give us better and higher parts than others (these are gayer feathers) How hard is it for us to keep down high thoughts, or not to soar high upon these wings and feathers, in admiting thoughts and airy conceits of our selves, though the holy Ghost every where way-layeth the pride of our hearts by many arguments, by this especially, because all we have is given us by God, and we have nothing of our own. The Lord hath given man many goodly feathers, beauty and strength of body to many, riches and honor to not a few, wit, learning, eloquence to some, and to others spiritual gifts and graces, which are the goodliest feathers of all. Now seing, all these are given us, why should we be proud of any one of them? yea, how humble should we be, though adorned with them all! Hence that Apostolical check to proud ones (1 Cor. 4.7.) What hast thou that thou didst not receive? and if thou hast received it, why dost thou glory or boast, as if thou hadst not received it? In these words he more than implyeth two things; First, That they who have received those goodlier feathers of spiritual gifts and graces, are in danger of being lifted up by them. Secondly, That they ought not. The Angels who fell, had goodly feathers, and they were lifted up, not only in pride with what they had received, and were beholding to God for, but in pride to have more, or get higher, and not be beholding to God for it. There is a temptation in any good thing, a great temptation in goodly things, to pride; and therefore we had need to pray when we have any thing that is goodly, whether it be natural, civil, moral, or spiritual, to be kept humble and preserved from pride. The Apostle Paul was in danger to be exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revelations which he had, when caught up to the third heaven (2 Cor. 12.3, 7.)
