zrS Thefixth Sign PART III. the Benefit Of others, to excite them to the like Duty, and to ufe the fame Means to gain Knowledge. Nothing can be gathered con- cerning the natural Tendency of the ordinary gracious Influences of the Spirit of God, from that, that David declares of his dillinguith- ing Knowledge under the extraordinary Influences of God's Spirit, immediately dictating to him the divine Mind by Infpiration, and tiling David as his Inflrument to write what he pleafed for the Be-. nefit of his Church ; any more than we can reafonably argue, that it is the natural Tendency of Grace to incline Men to curie others, and with the most dreadful Mifery to 'em that can be thought of, becaufe David, under Infpiration, often curfes others, and prays that fuch Mifery may come upon them. Secondly, It is not certain that the Knowledge David here fpeaks of, is fpiritual Knowledge, wherein Hounds does fundamentally con- lift. But it may be that greater Revelation which God made to him of the Megiab, and the Things of his future Kingdom, and the far more clear and extenfive Knowledge that he had of the l lyfleries and Doarines of the Gofpel, than others ; as a Reward for his keep- ing God'sTeflimonies. In this, it is apparent by theBook ofPfalms, that David far exceeded all that had gone before him. Secondly, Another Thing that is an infallible Sign of fpiritual Pride, is Perfons being apt to think highly of their Humility. Falle Expe- riences are commonly attended with a counterfeit Humility. And it is the very Nature of a counterfeit Humility, to be highly conceited - of it fell. Falle religious Affe ions have generally that Tendency, efpe,cially when railed to a great Height, to make Perfons think that their Humility is great, and accordingly to take much Notice of their great Attainments in this Refpea, and admire then. But eminently gracious Afle&ions (I fcruple not to fay it) are evermore of a con- trary Tendency, and have univerfally a contrary Effect, in thole that have them. They indeed make them very fenfible what Reafon there is that they fhouldbe deeply humbled,and caufe 'em earneftly to thirft and long after it ; but they make their prefent Humility, or that which they have already attain'd to, to appear fmall ; and their remaining Pride great, and exceedingly abominable. The Reafon why a proud Perfon fhould be apt to think his Hu- mility great, and why a very humble Perfon fhould think his Humility fmall, may be eafily Peen, if it be confidered, That it is natural for Perfons, in judging of the Degree of their own Humiliation, to take their Meafure from that which they efeem their proper Height, or the Dignity wherein they properly Rand. That may be great Hu- miliation in one, that is noHumiliation at all in another : Becasft the Degree of Honourablenefs or Conliderablenefs, wherein each does properly
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