246 The Proud and Scornful SERM. condu9 himfelf, he refuted to be in fub- X. jeftion to his maker, and obey his laws, `"'"") 2dly, The pride of mens hearts is difco. vered by affedting a pre - eminence above their fellows, and a fond prefumptuous opi- nion of their own excellency upon a com- parifon with them, which really is a rebel- lion againft the eftablifhed order God hath appointed in the world ; for he hath linked us together in fociety, and made humble condefcending love the firm cement of it, I hinted already what I take to be the juft foundation for explaining this, that is, the natural defire of approbation and efteem. All fin is the perverting that which is right, and to have a true notion of the prefent dif- cafes of our own finful Rate, we ought to look back to the primitive order of nature. Now, I fay, the defire of honour, that is, of approbation and efteem founded in good offices and the things which are indeed praife worthy, is wifely planted in our minds by the author of nature, as a fecurity of our duty, and to engage us to mutual be- nevolence ; but in our degeneracy it is be- come a felfifh define, and honour is fought independently on the true grounds of it, which is the very evil of this branch of pride; Still, however, there is a relation had to
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