arising from the possession of the things which God himself has given; even that has excited great displeasure in the breast of the Almighty, and caused him to inflict the heaviest judgments^ ]
2. He will punish it wherever it is indulged —
[If such a disposition be habitually indulged, God re- gards it as a proof of hypocrisy11: and, though he is ever ready to give grace to the humble, he will assuredly resist,
and abase, the proud1 Though it break not forth into
gross inconsistencies of conduct, yet, if it be harboured in the heart, we shall be held in utter abomination in the sight of Godk ]
Reflections —
1. What need have we to watch the motions of our hearts !
[God looks at the heart, and " searches it," and sees every thought of it1, and puts the true construction upon every motion of it, and will call us into judgment for all its most secret imaginations"1. Alas! how many proud, conceited, self-com- placent thoughts has he there beheld ! Do we not then need to humble ourselves before him, and to " pray, that the thoughts of our hearts may be forgiven us11? " — ]
2. How careful should we be of using any flattering words !
[Men flatter others because they know that flattery is pleasant to the carnal mind: but it is that very pleasure which offends God, and brings down his judgments on the soul. How cruel then is it to expose a brother to such a danger ! Would we put poison into his hands just to gratify his palate, when we knew that it would speedily put an end to his exist- ence? How then can we seek to gratify his mind at the expense of his soul? This is a thought peculiarly important for those who hear the Gospel faithfully administered : they are apt to forget that ministers are men of like passions with themselves ; and that God particularly forbad that a novice should be admitted into the ministry, " lest being lifted up with pride, he should fall into the condemnation of the devil." Bear in mind, brethren, that flattery is an ordeal which few can bear0; and that he who makes use of it, " spreads a net for his brother's feetp."]
8 Isai. xxxix. 3 — 7. with 2 Chron. xxxii. 25, 26. h Hab. ii. 4. > Jam. iv. 6. Dan. iv. 37. k Prov. xvi. 5.
1 Ezek. xi. 5. m 1 Cor. iv. 5. n Acts viii. 22.
0 Prov. xxvii. 1. p Prov. xxix. 5.