SECTION V. SECT. V.The Pretences of the Poor, and the Faint-hearted answered. Upon this challenge there are two sorts of men that rise up anddeny the charge, andwith their hand on their heart solemnly declare, there is no pride within them. These are the poor and the faint- hearted. Let us fee what their pretences are to avoid this general accusation.- 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 neighbour. They who prosper in the world, and increase in riches, who are surrounded with servants, and would be worshipped as little gods. Ps. Ixxiii. 6, 7, 8, 12. It is their eyes, which standout with fatness, and be- cause theyhave morethan heart could wish, pride compasseth then about as a chain: it is they who talk loftily, and set. their mouth against the heavens, they speak wickedly concerning the oppression of the poor : But what pride can be found wish ús ? Our clothing is mean and tattered, our food is coarse and scanty, we have nothing to boast of, forwe have hardly enough to live upon, and thereforewe must needs be humble. But search thy own heart, O man of poverty, nor let the poor among women neglect the same inward enquiry. 'Tell me art thou content with that low station in which God bath placed thee ? Is thywill and humour so far mortifiedras to be brought clown to thy condition ? Dost thou not fancy thyself to have de- served something better ? Dost thou submit to the will of God as wise, in making thee poor and not rich, a servant and not a mas- ter.? Art thou so well acquainted with thy sins and follies as to lie low at the foot of God, and receive all the little portion that he gives thee as from mere grace ? Art thou thankful for every mercy, and patient under all the pressing afflictions that attend thy low estate ? Doth thy heart never rise against God the gover- norof the world, not repine at his dispensations as though he had not treated thee accordingto thy merit ? Art thou humble enough to receive alms if God hßth given thee nothing of thy own ? And art thou willing to be beholden to others for thy daily bread, and to accept thy portion in that way wherein God is pleased to . dispense it without murmuring ? He that promises his children in this world food and raiment, has never promised to give it them without dependence : There is no promise which binds him to maintain thy body and thy pride too. But let us search a little farther. Thou canst not swell among the great ones, nor talk muchof thyself among thy equals, and affect á superiority and esteem above them ? Dost thou not- aggrandize thyself and swell in thy little station upon some sup- posed excellencies either of beauty of the face, or strength of 3
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