244 Reputation ofGifts andfpiritual Abilities, (Szt. proud, yea fuch needy miferable beggars, and be proud of their very begging ? Nay, your very thankfgiving it fell is humbling. For what doyougive thanks for, but for falvati- on from thefe odious fins, and the damnation which you have deferved ? And fhall a thief be proud that he is pardoned and taken from the gallows ? Pride is contrary to the very Nature and meaning.of all thofe holy duties, that you are.Proud of 6. Yea the Gifts themfelves that you are Proudof, fhould humbleyou. For i . They are fromGod, and not your felves. Cor. 4. 7. [For wh maketh thee to differ ? and what hafl thou that thou didfl not receive? Now if t hot ei 41 receive it, why, doll thouglory 41 if thou /mg not received it ? 2. You received them not for your felves, but for God : and therefore have no rea- fon your felves to he lifted up by them. 3 . All Gifts are for Labour and duty, and mull be once accountedfor : and there- fore fhould keep you in humility and fear. To- be Proudof Gods Gifts is to be Proud of that which is given you to deilrov Pride in your felves and others : For this is the.End of them. 7. And it is a fign that you want exceeding much of that which you are Proud of. Youare Proud of Knowledge: when as if it were not for want of Knowledge of that wh:ch fhould humble you, you would not be fo Proud. You are Proud of your worth : and it is for want of real worth that you are Proud. More light and grace, andparts would thew you that which would makeyou blufhat the things that youwereProud of. 8. And confider that you take the ourfe to provoke God tobereave you of his.. Gifts. He gave them t &you for another ufe. If you will turn them againft his face byPride, when he gave them to keepyou humble : when youwill exalt your car- nalfelves by it, which he gaveyou to exalt his Majefty, what canyou expect but he fhould take them from you ? And its an eafie matter with him to do it ea to take away your very underflandings, and leave you to the.heavy plagueofMadnefs, feeing you were Proud of your underfcandings, when alas, poor worirs, you had fo little caufe. once you grow Proud of your parts and gifts, you are
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