_Direct._ III. Having understood the nature and the signs or effects of pride, consider next of the dreadful consequents and tendency of it, both as it leadeth to further sin, and unto misery. Which I shall briefly open to you in some particulars.
1. At the present it is the heart of the old man, and the root and life of all corruption, and of dreadful signification, if it be predominant. If any man's "heart be lifted up, the Lord will have no pleasure in him, or it is not upright in him," Hab. ii. 4. I had rather have my soul in the case of an obscure humble christian, that is taken notice of by few, or none but God, and is content to approve himself to him, than in the case of the highest and most eminent and honourable in church or state, that looks for the observation and praise of men.[229] God judgeth not of men by their great parts, and profession, and name; but justifieth the humbled soul that is ashamed to lift up his face to heaven, and thinketh himself unworthy to speak to God, or to have communion with his church, or to come among his servants; but standing afar off, smiteth upon his breast, and saith, (in true repentance,) O "God, be merciful to me, a sinner," Luke xviii. 13. Pride is as a plague-mark on the soul.
2. There is scarce a sin to be thought on that is not a spawn in the bowels of pride. To instance in some few (besides all that are expressed in the signs): 1. It maketh men hypocrites, and seem what they are not, for the praise of men. 2. It makes men liars: most of the lies that are told in the world, are to avoid some disgrace and shame, or to get men to think highly of them. When a sin is committed against God or your superiors, instead of humble confession, pride would cover it with a lie. 3. It causeth covetousness, that they may not want provision for their pride. 4. It maketh men flatterers, and time-servers, and man-pleasers, that they may win the good esteem of others. 5. It makes men run into profaneness, and riotousness, to do as others do to avoid the shame of their reproach and scorn, that else would account them singular and precise. 6. It can take men off from any duty to God that the company is against; they dare not pray, nor speak a serious word of God, for fear of a jeer from a scorner's mouth. 7. It is so contentious a sin, that it makes men firebrands in the societies where they live; there is no quiet living with them longer than they have their own saying, will, and way; they must bear the sway, and not be crossed; and when all is done, there is no pleasing them, for the missing of a word, or a look, or a compliment, will catch on their hearts, as a spark on gunpowder. 8. It tears in pieces church and state. Where was ever civil war raised, or kingdom endangered or ruined, or church divided, oppressed, or persecuted, but pride was the great and evident cause? 9. It devoureth the mercies and good creatures of God, and sacrificeth them to the devil. It is a chargeable sin: what a deal doth it consume in clothes, and buildings, and attendance, and entertainments, and unnecessary things! 10. It is an odious thief and prodigal of precious time. How many hours that should be better employed, and must one day be accounted for, are cast away upon the foresaid works of pride! especially in the needless compliments and visits of gallants, and the dressings of some vain, light-headed women, in which they spend almost half the day, and can scarce find an hour in a morning for prayer, or meditation, or reading the Scriptures, because they cannot be ready; forgetting how they disgrace their wretched bodies, by telling men that they are so filthy or deformed, that they cannot be kept sweet and cleanly and seemly, without so long and much ado. 11. It is odiously unjust. A proud man makes no bones of any falsehood, slander, deceit, or cruelty, if it seem but necessary to his greatness, or honour, or preferment, or ambitious ends. He careth not who he wrongeth or betrayeth, that he may rise to his desired height, or keep his greatness. Never trust a proud man further than his own interest bids you trust him. 12. Pride is the pander of whoredom and uncleanness: it is an incentive to lust in themselves, and draws the proud to adorn and set forth themselves in the most enticing manner, as tends to provoke the lust of others. Fain they would be thought comely, that others may admire them, and be taken with their comeliness. If they thought that none would see them, they would spare their ornaments. And if a common decency were all that they affected, they would spare their curiosities and fashionable superfluities. Even they that would not be unclean in gross fornication with any, yet would be esteemed beautiful and desirable, and do that which tendeth to corrupt the minds of fools that see them. These, and indeed almost all sin, are the natural progeny of pride.