Reputation of Gifts andfpiritual 1b11ZtZes, Vic. 241 felves I The greater are our abilities to do. God fervice, the more refolutely and thankfully we fhould improve them in his fervice. But we mull remember that they are given us to fave others by our improvement, and not to deilcroy our felves by our Pride. Get as great abilities as youcan, and whenyou have them thank God for them , and ufe for them him to the uttermoil of your Power : but takeheed left Pride Mould facrifice them to your felves and pervert them from your Mailers fervice. The Perfons that have moil need of this advice, are efpecial- ly thefe following. 1. Young unexperienced Profeffors, that arebuu lately turned to a Profeffion of a Godly life ; that have fo much illumination as fheweth them much that before they knew not; and raifeth them above the vulgar meafure, but yet hash, made them but fmatterers and ha/f-knowing men ; Thefe are they that the Apoille requireth thould not be made Bifhops or Paftors of the Church, becaufe of their pronenefs to this very fin , that now we are fpeaking of, i Tim 3. 6. [Not a Novice, lea being lifted lip with Pride, hefall into the condemnationof the Devil] The fpirit of Godhere intimateth to us, that Novices are the likeft to be lifted up with Pride, and that this Pride is the way to the Condemnation of the Devil. 2. And men of great abilities, natural or acquired, that have withall unfandified hearts, are ordinarily tranfported with this odious vice. A strong wit and a voluble tongue, and learning to furnith it withmatter, are notable fervants t Pride of heart , where that fpiritual illumination and holi- nefs is wanting, that should abafe the Proud, and turn mens Parts a better way. To all that are apt to be tainted with this odious vice, Iwould recommend thefe following confide- rations. Confider what a dangerous fign it is ofa gracelefs hypo- critical heart, where Prideof Gifts dothmuch prevail. It is as infeparable from a child of God, to be humble and little in his own eileem, asfrom a new-born Child to be really leffer then men at age. No more fincerity, then humility in any. Confider what caufe of deep humiliation you carry i about
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