enthrone himself tlian Christ, in tlie opinion and hearts of his hearers. Pride earries the man aloft to be admired for the height of his parts and notions, and will not sutler him to stoop so low as to speak of })lain truths, or, if he does, not plainly ; he must have some line lace, though on a plain stuff"; such a one may tickle the ear, but very unlikely to do real good to souls : alas ! it is not that he intends.
Secondly, If this painted Jezebel of pride be perceived to look out at the window in any exercise, whether of preaching, prayer, or conference, it doth beget a disdain in the spirits of those that hear such a one, both good and bad. It is a sin very odious to a gracious heart, and often makes the stomach go against the food, though good, through their abhorrence of that pride they see in the instrument. It is indeed their weakness ; but wo to them that by their pride lead them into temptation ; nay, those that are bad, and may be in the same kind, like not that in another, which they favour in themselves, and so, prejudiced, I'eturn as bad as they went.
Thirdly, Pride of gifts robs us of God's blessing in the use of them. The humble man may have Satan at his right hand to oppose him ; but be sure the proud man shall find God himself there to resist him, whenever he goes about any duty. God proclaims so much, and would have the proud man know whenever he meets him he will oppose him. 'He resists the proud.' Great gifts are beautiful as Rachel, but pride makes them also barren, like her : either we nuist lay self aside, or God will lay us aside.
Secondly, Pride of gifts hinders the receiving of good from others. Pride fills the soul, and a full soul will take nothing from God, nuich less from nuui, to do it good. Such a one is very dainty : it is not every sermon, though whole- some food, nor every prayer, though savoury, will go down ; he must have a choice dish; he thinks he hath better than this of his own : and is such a one like to get good? And truly we may see it, that as the plain ploughman that can eat of any homely food, if wholesome, hath more health, and is able to do more work in a day, than many enjoy or can do in their whole life, that are nice, squeamish, and courtly in their fare ; so the humble Christian, that can feed on plain truths, and ordinances, which have not so much of the art of man to commend them to their palate, enjoy more of God, than the nicer sort of professors, who are all to be served in a lordly dish of rare gifts. The clmrch of Corinth was famous for gifts above other clnu'ches, 1 Cor. i., but not in grace; none so charged for weakness in that; 1 Cor. iii. 2, he calls them 'carnal, babes in Christ;' so weak, as not able to digest man's meat; 'I have fed you,' saith Paul, ' with milk and not with meat ; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet are ye now able.' Why? what is the matter? The reason lies, ver. 3 : ' Ye are carnal ; there is among you envy and strife.' Ver. 4 : 'One saith, I am of Paul ; another I am of Apollos.' Pride makes them take parts, and make sides, one for this jireacher, another for that, as they fancied one to excel another. And this is not the way to tlu-ive. Pride destroys love, and love wanting edification is lost. The devil hath made fold work in the cluu'ch by this engine. Zanchy tells of one in Geneva, who, being desired to go to hear Viretus, that preached at the same time with Culvin, answered his friend, ' If Paul were to preach, rclicfo Paulo Calv'inum audiran, I would leave Paul himself to hear Calvin.' And will pride in the gifts of another so far transport, even to the borders of blasphemy? what work then will pride make when the gifts are a man's own!
Section II. — Use 1. Doth Satan thus stir up saints to this spiritual pride of gifts? First, Here is a word to you that have mean gifts, yet truth of grace : be content with thy condition. Perhaps when thou hearest others, how en- largedly they pray, how able to discoiu'se of the truths of God, and the like, thou art ready to go into a corner, and mourn to think how weak thy memory, hoAV dull thy apprehension, how straitened thy spirit, hardly able, though in secret, to utter and express thy mind to God in prayer. O thou art ready to think those the happy men and women, and almost nuirnuir at thy condition ; well, canst thou not say, Though I have not words, I ho])e I have faith ; I cannot dispute for the truth, but I am willing to sufi'er for it ; I cannot remember a sermon ; but I never heard the word, but I hate sin and love Christ more than
13S AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS.