Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

688 That worldly thing, marlZ,e contempt of God. . moll proudly conceittheir owne excellencie, and infult ouer al others as worfer, who are poorer; though they be vtterly dif- furnifhed ofal gifts and good parts both in body and mind,and as far fhort ofthem in wifdome & worth, whom they cótemne, as they are before them in earthly abildance.Although in truth there is no thew ofcaufe,feeing there is no cóparifon betweene the gifts ofmind and body, and the gifts of an outward eßate. And befides,iftherebe any excellencie at all in there earthly ri- ches,it is not in keeping & poffefìîng them,but in their bellow. 11edines in er -ing and vfe: neither is he in the Church and among Chriflians ¿lefia, qui pos. to be accounted rich, who bath much in keeping ; but he who poi nen ilbi di- findeth much to bellow on charitable vies, and hathplentie for see eit,& ¿.Non the oore:forit is notfo much money,as the mind that maketh . enim cenfus P Y eniternredani. rich. Finally,thusworldly pleafitres caufe pride, as they are the min Tacit. Am. vfuallmeanes to make vs forget God, and to forget our felues, brot. epiftl b. caufing vs like panrpred honks to iconic our mailer; efpecially to.epiftsa. if our delights be offuch a nature, as that therein we may fhew our excellencie, and commend to thofe who are about vs the gifts ofbody or mind,whieh felfe -loue maketh vs belceue,to be efieemable. 4.SelJ.f. In all which refpe &s there worldly things thus abufed, may That-morldlr be truly faid,not only,not to do vs any good, but contrariwife thingscauring much hurt,feeing they are the means to call vs into this hainous it ilk. areaft, fin ofpride,which ahoue all others God detefleth,as theScrip- the cafes o /de. tures teflifie. And as he Both hate the fin, fo he purpofelyoppo- rfirothow4 feth,and fetteth bimtelfe againfl thofewho are defiled with ir; $rou.ha. and the man oppofeth againfl God,robbing him -sod 16.5. P PP b of his glory W hich is moil deare vnto him; therefore the Lord alto oppofeth againflhim,andcrofleth him in al his courfes.So the Apofile Peter faith, that Godrefiteth the proud, bsstgiteeth grace ro the humble. The which oppofition and refilling of God who is omnipotent,mufl needsbring themto ruine and deliru. ólion, feeing their policies cannot ouer -reach his infinie wit- dome,nor al their flrength defend thç from being ouerthrowne -by his mightie power; efpecially Peeing his will to bring them tocon fufion,isioyned with his abilitie, the Lord neuer more willingly (hooting his artt es of wrath andvengeance, then egainfl the proud perron. So the bleffed Virgin in her fong dulce;rigt.52.faith, that,God fcattereththe proutlinthe imagination of their hearty,