Theol. Solomon saith,1 Every one that is proud in heart is abomination to the Lord: which plainly showeth, that God doth detest and abhor proud men. And is it not a fearful thing, think you, to be abhorred of God? And in the same Chap. Ver. 18. he saith, Pride goeth before destruction, and an high mind before the fall. Wherein he showeth, that pride is the for-runner of some deadly downfall, either by disgracing or displacing. For it is an old and true Proverb, Pride will have a fall. And oftentimes, when men are most lifted up, then are they nearest, unto it: as the examples of Haman, Nebuchadnezzar, and Herod do plainly declare. When the milt swelleth, the rest of the body pineth away; even so when the heart is puffed up with pride, the whole man is in danger of destruction. Moreover, the holy Ghost saith,2 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud. 3Job saith of such kind of men, The spark of his fire shall not shine: fear shall dwell in his house, and brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. And in another place he saith,4 The fire which is not blown shall devour him. Me thinks therefore, if there were any spark of grace in us, these terrible speeches of the holy Ghost might serve to humble us, and pull down our pride: especially, sith the Scriptures do affirm, ⟨p. 36⟩that God resisteth the proud, and setteth himself ex professe against them, and therefore woe unto them; for if God take against a man, who can reclaim him? for he doth whatsoever he will.
Theol. Solomon saith,1 Every one that is proud in heart is abomination to the Lord: which plainly sheweth, that God doth detest and abhorre proud men. And is it not a fearfull thing, think you, to be abhorred of God? And in the same Chap. Ver. 18. he saith, Pride goeth before destruction, and an high mind before the fall. Wherein he sheweth, that pride is the for-runner of some deadly downfall, either by disgracing or displacing. For it is an old and true Proverb, Pride wil have a fall. And oftentimes, when men are most lifted up, then are they neerest, unto it: as the examples of Haman, Nebuchadnezzar, and Herod doe plainly declare. When the milt swelleth, the rest of the body pineth away; even so when the heart is puft up with pride, the whole man is in danger of destruction. Moreover, the holy Ghost saith,2 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud. 3Job saith of such kind of men, The spark of his fire shall not shine: fear shall dwell in his house, and brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. And in another place hee saith,4 The fire which is not blowne shall devoure him. Mee thinkes therefore, if there were any spark of grace in us, these terrible speeches of the holy Ghost might serve to humble us, and pull down our pride: especially, sith the Scriptures doe affirme, ⟨p. 36⟩that God resisteth the proud, and setteth himself ex professe against them, and therefore wo unto them; for if God take against a man, who can reclaime him? for he doth whatsoever he will.
- 1Prov. 16.5.
- 2Prov. 15.24.
- 3Job 11.5.25. Job 28.26.
- 4Job 23.13.
