Repotationof Gifts and#iritiol &c. are in the high way to be given over to come fearfilf ; at belt to particular fcandals, if not to fome damnable herefie or Apoflacy. God may prevent it by your Humiliation': but you are in the common road that leads to it. Its much to be feared that Godwill fo far leave you to your felves, as to let you fall into the dirt of forne notorious fin , that your fhame may. fly abroad the world, infleadof the vain-glorious fame which youde-fired : and that you may have fornevvhat to humble you thatfhall be written inyour fore-heads, and can- not be denied or hid. Or if yoube hypocrites, and for damna- tion,it is molt likely that you are in the ready way to forne de- fperate Herefie, or flat Apoflacy. For we fee that thefe are too frequently the confequents of fpiritual Pride. o. Laftly, Confider that the Gifts that you' are Proud of, are i-n danger of being unfuccefsfill to the Church ; He may I confefs do-good to others by them, though they do but choak yoUrlaves ; but ordinarily he denieth fuccefs to the Proud, and bleffeth weaker endeavors of the humble. Yea often filchmenand all their parts become, a plague and trouble to the Church. For they ufe them to foment the Herefies and 11)ivitions-which they are given over to and do more hurt then the ignorant or the common fort of the Prophane. Learn -therefore to deny your felves in the Reputationof your per- formances. Ifyou-feel any tickling delight when you are -ap plauded., call water on it fuddenlyas on a fire kindled in your fouls from Hell. If youperceive-theleal-Cifirringof difeontent or envy,when the Preaching or prayers of another are prefer- red, and yours- lefs fet by , take heed , and quench it ; you are entertaining a dangerous temptation. But if you Mould be fo far lifted up, as to fet up your Judgements above their worth, and rife againfl your Teachers and the Church of Chrifl, and defire to- fiep beyond your callings that your parts may be taken notice of, and:you may be fomebody in the Church, and verifie the prophefie of Paul, As 20. 3 0, [Al- fo of yonr ownfelves fhall men arife fpeaking perverfe things; to draw away diltiples after them] I fay, when once you come to this,its time'to fear left you be utterly forfakeu, & become the flume me-cornof men,as you becanie thefcourge troublers i 3 _ 245
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