Four books on the eleventh of Matthew

Thirdly: Their carriage is to those that they may accomplish their own ends by something or other that they would accomplish, but if they have to deal with such as no way can further any ends of theirs, they shall have no such carriage from them, this is but to show the distemper of the heart, there may be lowliness in carriage and not in heart: But do not think that I seem in the least manner to discommend lowliness in carriage, it is comely in Christians to be gentle one towards another.

Thirdly: Their carriage is to those that they may accomplish their own ends by somthing or other that they would accomplish, but if they have to deal with such as no way can further any ends of theirs, they shall have no such carriage from them, this is but to shew the distemper of the heart, there may be lowliness in carriage and not in heart: But do not think that I seem in the least manner to discommend lowliness in carriage, it is comely in Christians to be gentle one towards another.

Fourthly: There may be lowliness in habit, and yet not in heart, some will please themselves in this, in going very meanly clad, and in all their outward Garb are very mean, and they think they will not be so proud as others are, so high and brave as others. It is true, there is a great deal of pride to be seen in outward habits, but also there may be a great deal of pride seen in lowliness of habit, as well as in brave habits. As there is a great deal of pride in following every vain fashion, so certainly there may be much pride in a sullen resolution, that they will never wear any thing but thus and thus, in a fantastical singularity from other kind of people of their own rank, though never so holy▪ yet they will have a singular Garb of their own; this is out of fullness, as no question there is in many a •ullenness of resolution, or a fantastical ⟨p. 487⟩singularity, a ridiculous conceitedness, and stubbornness of spirit, that they will not alter their minds, that others must do as they do, and if every one do not wear the same Garb as they do, then they are proud, and themselves only are humble. Now there may be in the fullness of others an extreme vanity of spirit and pride, and many of these think to honour Christianity, whereas they dohshonor it hereby, if thou beest so weak as thou dost not know what liberty thou hast in the use of the Creature; Wilt thou judg others that do know? You must take heed of Pride, and singularity in those things which you think to deny your selves. It was a speech that Socrates had concerning Antisthenes, saith he, I see the arrogancy of Antisthenes through the holes of his Coat, he would go ragged, and with holes in his Coat, but saith he, I see the very arrogancy and pride of Antisthenes through the holes of his Coat. And so when Diogenes came to Plato and he had a rich Bed, and Diogenes in his Cinickness and pride, tramples upon Plato's rich Bed, saying, I tread and trample upon the pride of Plato, I saith Plato, but it is with thy pride, it is pride that tramples upon this pride, it was the pride of his heart that did so disdain that another should have that he had not himself. There may be much vanity, and pride, and height of spirit, in lowliness of Garb and outward habit.