304 THE PRETENSES OF THE POOR, [SECT. q; christians ; look on thyself as a pilgrim and stranger here; travel as a foreigner through this dangerous wilderness, and having food and raiment to supply thy wants and support thy journey, be content. It is not of much im- portance whether thou acquire large treasures of that sort of coin which will not pass in the city to which thou art travelling, nor can ever be remitted to thee by any forms of exchange. It is not of great moment whether thou receive titles and honours among foreigners in this strange country: These honours and titles are the con- tempt of angels, and are of no account in thy native land, for thou art born from above. Live upon the views and hopes of thy fair inheritance on high, of honours prepared for thee at home in thy Father's house, among the sons and daughters of God, among the angels in heaven, and spirits ofjust men made perfect." Alas! HJw contrary is the spirit of a christian to the spirit of this world ! The one is all for self and shew and grandeur; the other abases self, lies at the foot of God, and is content without honour from men. This fulness ofself is opposite to the very temper of the gospel, which requires us to be poor in spirit ; and yet how ready we are to indulge it ? How few are there among those who take up the name of christian that watch against this vice, and labour to subdue it? which of us can lay his hand upon his heart and say, there is no pride dwells here ?" SECTION V. The Pretences of the Poor, and the Faint-hearted an., steered. Upon this challenge there are two sorts of men that rise up and deny the charge, and with their hand on their heart solemnly declare, there is no pride within them. These are the poor and the faint-hearted. Let us see what their pretences are to avoid this general accusa- tion. Can I be proud, saith the poor wretch, that labours for his daily bread, and can hardly procure it ? If you would search for pride you must go to palaces, and knock at the gates of quality. It is only the great and the rich among mankind who look big and despise their neigh- bour. They who prosper in the world and increase ill
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