(6.) Because of the mischiefs of pride, what was the bane of our first parents, and the whole world of mankind, but pride? What hath divided the church and tore it iu so many factions but pride? There- fore the apostle, when he presseth to unity and like-mindedness, he givetli cautions against pride : Phil. ii. 1-3, 'Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory,' &c. What divideth friends and neighbours but pride ? ' Only by pride cometh contention,' saith Solomon, Prov. xiii. 9, They that have a proud heart, envy superiors, contend with equals, disdain inferiors, they would shine alone in the earth. Why did Miriam and Aaron rise up against Moses, the meekest man upon earth ? Nothing but their pride, Num. xviii. 2. Yea, was not this the cause of contention among the apostles themselves ? They strove who should be greatest. Therefore Christ telleth them, Mat. xviii. 1-3, ' Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye cannot be my disciples.'
Use. Oh, then, if we would enjoy communion with God, let us remove pride far from us ; all sorts of pride.
1. There is a pride which consists in impenitency and disobedience, which maketh us slight the great business of reconciliation with God through Christ : Ps. x. 4, ' The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God.' And also neglect the clearest and most neces.sary duties, which the word of God recommendeth to us : Neb. ix. 16, ' Our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments ; ' ver. 29, ' They dealt proudly, and sinned against thee.' What is pride if this be not, to con- test and enter into the lists with God, and to set up our wills against the will of our Creator?
2. There is a pride which showeth itself by swelling against God's providence, entertaining mercies with disdain, crosses with anger. It venteth itself by unthankfulness for his mercies : 2 Chron. xxxii. 25, 26, 'Hczekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him ; for his heart was lifted up ; therefore there was wrath upon him,' &c. Or slighting mercies : Mai. i. 2, ' I have loved you, saith the Lord ; yet ye say. Wherein hast thou loved us ? ' Also by mutteiing and complaining of God's dealings with us, Lev. xxvi. 41. Now, opposite to this, a christian should always have a mean esteem of him- self, flowing from a sense of his own sinfulness : 1 Cor. xv. 9, ' I am the least of the apostles,' &c. The undeserved goodness of God : 2
414 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXXXT. [SeR. II.
Sam. vii. 18, ' David sat before the Lord, and said, "Who am 1, 0 Lord God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto ? ' and kindly take all chastisements from him as less than our deserving.
3. There is a pride which consists in overvaluing ourselves, and showeth itself either in the mind and conceit or desires. In the mind and conceit, when we set an high price upon ourselves, and represent ourselves to ourselves in a feigned likeness : Eom. xii. 3, ' Let no man think of himself above what he ought to think.' Alas ! we that are so well acquainted with ourselves and our own weakness should be inclined to prefer others in honour before ourselves, Rom. xii. 10. We know more by ourselves than we can by others. Let us not look upon our- selves in the glass of self-love, for there is nothing more fallacious than that glass : Prov. xvi. 2, ' All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirit ;' if God put us into the balance. But when we look upon ourselves in the glass of self- conceit, everything seemeth double to what it is, and we think ourselves much wiser and better than we are. On the other part, we should desire no more esteem from others than God alloweth us to have ; and not overvalue that neither : 1 Cor. iv. 3, ' With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment,' iXd'^ia-rov. We should not make too great a matter of other men's thoughts of us ; otherwise how soon will it be a snare to us ! John v. 44, ' How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another ? ' John xii. 42, ' Among the rulers many believed on him ; but because of the phari- sees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.'
Lastl}'-, There is another sort of pride, and that is seeking great things for ourselves ; we must have such honour, such estates. Surely they ascribe too much to themselves that would prescribe to God at what rate they would be maintained. No ; let him choose our portion for us, who is wiser than we, and knoweth what condition is best for us : ' Blessed are the poor in spirit,' Mat. v. 3. In the heart it is seated, and powerfully rooted.
SERMON 11.
Lord, my heart is not liaugJity, nor my eyes lofty ; neither do I exer- cise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. — Ps. cxxxi. 1.