The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Alas, what is man? what hath man that he should be proud? He is but enlivened dust, moving earth, refined clay, that which beasts trample under their feet; He hath nothing that good is, but what he hath received; He lives wholly upon the alms and charity of another. A proud heart and a beggars purse do ⟨p. 797⟩not agree. As he is a sinner, he is more vile and base, more noisome and loathsome then any Toad, or Snake, or Serpent, and hath he any reason to be proud? Reader, be clothed with humility; learn of thy Redeemer, for he was meek and lowly in heart. Though he thought it no robbery to be equal with God, yet he made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, Phil. 2.7,8.

Alas, what is man? what hath man that he should be proud? He is but enlivened dust, moving earth, refined clay, that which beasts trample under their feet; He hath nothing that good is, but what he hath received; He lives wholly upon the alms and charity of another. A proud heart and a beggars purse do ⟨p. 797⟩not agree. As he is a sinner, he is more vile and base, more noisom and loathsom then any Toad, or Snake, or Serpent, and hath he any reason to be proud? Reader, be cloathed with humility; learn of thy Redeemer, for he was meek and lowly in heart. Though he thought it no robbery to be equal with God, yet he made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, Phil. 2.7,8.

When pride cometh, then cometh a fall. As a Wrestler, if he can lift his fellow from the ground, quickly gives him a fall; so the Devil, if he can lift up with pride, doubts not but to throw them. Physicians observe that the Dropsy and Consumption are usually together: when once thou swellest with this Dropsy of pride, expect a Consumption of thy godliness. He walks but dangerously who walks on high places, as on the ridges of houses, and on ropes; he that walks below is more safe. Angels, Adam, David, Hezekiah, Peter, and many others in Scripture confirm the Wisemans Proverb, Pride goeth before a fall. Trees that are set on mountains are easily shaken and torn up by the roots, when stormy winds arise. Indeed tis no wonder that a proud man should fall into sin, for he relieth on his own strength, which is but a broken reed. Peter had not fallen so foully, if he had not undertaken to stand upon his own legs, which were too weak to bear his weight; But before honour is humility. The lower the foundation, the higher the building.