[3.] By undutifulness to superiors, or those that are preferred in honour before ourselves. Proud men would be admired of all, well thought of and spoken of by all, and preferred above all ; and if it be not so, they are discontented, and a secret enmity and malignity invadeth their spirits and settleth itself there ; it is an apparent fruit of natural corruption : James iv. 5, ' The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy.' Men cannot endure either the real or reputed excellency of others ; the proud creature would shine alone. Therefore we are secretly nibbling at the credit of others, blasting their reputation, and desire by all means to lessen them, or that they should be lessened ; and where this disposition prevaileth into any degree of strength and tyranny, it groweth outrageous : Pro v. xxvii. 4, ' Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous ; but who is able to stand before envy ? ' For when we are grieved at the prosperity and excellency of others, we seek to undermine them by all the means we can devise ; as when the brothers of Joseph sought to put him out of the way ; and when Saul envied David, he was still plotting his destruction. So when the Pharisees envied Christ, ' If we let him alone, all men will run after him.' This brought them to crucify the Lord of glory. Anger ventetli itself in sudden flashes, and wrath in some present act of violence, but envy is injurious and treacherous. Anger and wrath suppose some offence, but envy is troubled at the goodness and excellency of others. Anger and wrath are assuaged by degrees, and when the raging billows and tempest ceaseth, there is a calm; but this groweth by time, and is exasperated more and more the longer those whom we envy are in good condition. Now this affection reigned in us in our natural estate, Titus iii. 3, and remaineth in some degree in the best.
5. Another expression of pride is impatience of admonitions and reproofs ; that is the cause of the wicked's hatred of the godly, because their lives are a real reproof: John vi. 7, 'The world hateth
328 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. LXXXVI.
me, because I testify of it that the works thereof are evil ;' Heh. xi. 7. But surely it argueth a proud spirit when men cannot endure friendly counsel, and will not have their privy sores touched, but they grow fierce and outrageous, especially when they excel others in rank and power : as when the prophet reproved Amaziah, 2 Chron. xxv. 16, ' Art thou made of the king's counsel ? forbear, why shouldest thou be smitten?' so 2 Chron. xviii. 23, 'He smote him on the cheek, and said, When went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee?' So the Pharisees hated Christ because of his free reproofs : John ix. 40, ' Are we blind also ?' They cannot endure to hear of their faults, especially from one in an inferior condition, and think every reproof to be a reproach, though never so wisely and compassionately managed^ and that it is beneath their rank to stoop to it ; though Job despised not the cause of his maid-servants, Job xxxi. 13, if they had anything to say against him ; and David stopped upon Abigail's motion, 1 Sam. xxv. 26.
6. Take heed of building too securely upon earthly enjoyments, as if your estate were so firm and secure that it could not be altered, because you are high and great in wealth, power, honour, and esteem. Confidence in our outward estate is a sure note of pride : Ps. x. 4-6, ' The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God : God is not in all his thoughts. His ways are always grievous ; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath said in heart, I shall not be moved ; I shall not be in adversity.' There the Psalmist chargeth pride on the wicked, and such a pride as ariseth from confidence in outward prosperity ; and raentioneth a double effect, not only slighting their adversaries, but God himself. It is no matter for any terms of peace or moderation towards their adversaries, his ways are always grievous ; therefore are they violent, fierce and high, and severe towards them. Do not need the protection of God ; therefore cold, flat, negligent in prayer ; yea, scorn to implore God by prayer for any blessing. They are so high in place and power, that they are able to oppress their underlings, and so think they can bring to pass what they would have to be done in despite of God. Now somewhat of this may be found in the people of God : Ps. xxx. 6, ' In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.' They drink in some of this poison, are apt to rest and sleep on a carnal pillow. By this you may see that none of us have perfectly put off this sin Plato saith a man doth put it ofi", as reXeuToiov ^t^Tcova, it groweth out of the conquest of other. sins. But if we would not be proud —