incapable of attaining to Ififdom. 251 affeftation of praife, and their behaviour SE R M. when it is bellowed on them ; for, as Solo- X. mon j lflly obferveth, Prov. xxvii. 21. As the fining pot for filver, and the furnace for gold, fo is a man to his praife : His eagernefs in purfuing, and manner of receiving it, plain- ly enough difcover the complexion of his fpi- rit; and an infolent behaviour towards others, endeavouring to leffen their charafters, to de- rogate from their worth, and aggravate their failings, infulting their misfortunes and ap- prehended weaknefs, and an impatience of contradiction; thefe and the like obvious fymp- toms, inftances of felf-fufficiency and con- tempt of their fellows, clearly (hew the pride of mens hearts ; and contentions, animofities, wranglings, and difturbing the peace of foci- eties for trifles, or matters of finali moment, and merely felfifh and perfonal ; thefe are ef- feels which mull be attributed to the fame caufe, for, as our author faith, Prov. xxi. 24. Proud and haughty (corner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. This pride is the firft ingredient in the charaler of the fcorner : Another compre- henfive one, which, I may fay, fini(heth it, is contempt of religion and virtue. Some- times it is the unhappy cafe of finners, but only of thofe who have one on in a courfe of J
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