Spiritual Pride is the lifting up of the mind against God, it is a tumour and swelling in the mind, and lies in contemning and slighting of God, his Word, Promises, and Ordinances, and in the lifting up of a mans self, by reason of birth, breeding, wealth, honour, place, relation, gifts, or graces, and in despising of others. Of this spiritual Pride Habakkuk speaks, ⟨p. 56⟩Chap. 2. 4. His heart that is lifted up in him, is not upright. Prov. 16. 5. Every one that is proud in heart, is an Abomination to the Lord, or that lifts up his heart against God or his Decrees: as Lewis the Eleventh did, in that proud speech of his, If I shall be saved, I shall be saved; and if I 1shall be damned, I shall be damned; and there's all the care that I shall take. Like to this, was that proud and wretched speech of one Ruffus, who painted God on the one side of his Shield, and the Devil on the other, with this mad Motto, If thou wilt not have me, here's one will. Spiritual Pride is a white Devil, as one calls it, a gilded Poison, by which God is robbed of his honour, a mans own soul of his comfort and peace, and others of that benefit and fruit which otherwise they might receive from us. Satan is subtle, he will make a man proud of his very graces: He will make him Proud, that he is not Proud. Pride grows with the decrease of other sins, and thrives by their decay: Other sins are nourished by poisonous roots, as Adultery is nourished by Idleness; and Gluttony and Murder, by malice and envy: But this white Devil, Spiritual Pride, springs from good duties, and good actions, towards God and man. Spiritual Pride is a very great Enemy to the good, and salvation of men. Pride is like a very great swelling, which unfits men for any service.
Spirituall Pride is the lifting up of the mind against God, it is a tumor and swelling in the mind, and lyes in contemning and slighting of God, his Word, Promises, and Ordinances, and in the lifting up of a mans selfe, by reason of birth, breeding, wealth, honour, place, relation, gifts, or graces, and in despising of others. Of this spirituall Pride Habakkuk speaks, ⟨p. 56⟩Chap. 2. 4. His heart that is lifted up in him, is not upright. Prov. 16. 5. Every one that is proud in heart, is an Abomination to the Lord, or that lifts up his heart against God or his Decrees: as Lewis the Eleventh did, in that proud speech of his, If I shall be saved, I shall be saved; and if I 1shall be damned, I shall be damned; and there's all the care that I shall take. Like to this, was that proud and wretched speech of one Ruffus, who painted God on the one side of his Shield, and the Devil on the other, with this mad Motto, If thou wilt not have me, here's one will. Spirituall Pride is a white Devil, as one calls it, a gilded Poyson, by which God is robbed of his honour, a mans owne soule of his comfort and peace, and others of that benefit and fruit which otherwise they might receive from us. Satan is suttle, he will make a man proud of his very graces: He will make him Proud, that he is not Proud. Pride growes with the decrease of other sins, aed thrives by their decay: Other sins are nourished by poysonous roots, as Adultery is nourished by Idlenesse; and Gluttony and Murder, by malice and envy: But this white Devil, Spirituall Pride, springs from good duties, and good actions, towards God and man. Spirituall Pride is a very great Enemy to the good, and salvation of men. Pride is like a very great swelling, which unfits men for any service.
- 1Si salvab•r. Si vero damnabor, damnabor.
