Chapter 11 — Of Pride
Secondly, I come to speak a word of pride, and loftiness of heart and life.
1. Pride, in general, is what causes a man to think of man and his things, above what is written (1 Cor 4:6). 2. It has its seat in the heart among these outrages, fornications, adulteries, lustfulness, murders, deceit, etc. (Mark 7:21-23) and shows itself in these following details. (1) When you despise this or that gracious person; that is, look down on them, and shun them for their poverty in this world, and choose rather to talk to others, that possibly are less gracious, because of their greatness in this world. This the apostle writes against, James 2:1-3, under the name of partiality; 'for indeed the fruits of a puffedup heart is to deal in this manner with Christians' (1 Cor 4:6, 7). Now this branch of pride flows from ignorance of the vanity of the creature, and of the worth of a gracious heart; so get more knowledge of these two, and this will be nipped in the bud, and you will learn to relate to men of low degree (Rom 12:16). (2) It indicates pride of heart when men will not deny themselves in things that they may for the good of their neighbours. And it shows that pride has got so much up into self-love and selfpleasing, that they care little who they grieve or offend, so they may have their own way (Oba 12-15). (3) It indicates pride of heart, when you will not receive sober reproofs for sin and unfitting behaviour, but that rather you huff, and yield to an irritable spirit, and bear a grudge against those who reprove you in that way. Says the prophet, 'Hear, and listen; do not be proud: for the Lord has spoken.' That is, hear the reproofs of God for your sins, and escape from them by repentance; 'but if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride,' etc. (Jer 13:15-17). So also in Hosea, 'They will not live so as to turn to their God: for the spirit of adultery is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord. And the pride of Israel testifies to his face' etc. (Hosea 5:4, 5). This indicates great unawareness of God, and a disordered heart.
(4) It also indicates pride when a reproof or admonition will not be received from the poorest saint, as well as from the greatest pastor; and it indicates a glory in men, 1 Corinthians 3:21, and that they want their faith to stand in human wisdom, and not 'in the power of God;' that is, of naked truth (1 Corinthians 2:5). (5) It indicates pride of heart when a man who has this or that in his heart to do, in reference to God, but yet will avoid simply asking God for advice and direction: 'The wicked, through the pride of his face, will not seek after God,' says David (Psa 10:4). (6) It indicates pride of heart, when persons are tickled with thoughts of their own praise and secretly desire it; who think of themselves and others above what is written; who do not acknowledge that man in his best estate is altogether vanity: but such people have forgot the exhortation, 'Be not high-minded, but fear:' (Rom 11:20). And also, That there is a knowledge that puffs up, and does not edify either themselves or others (1 Cor 8:1, 2). So, to such the apostle says, Do not desire vain-glory, but in lowliness of mind 'let each esteem others better than themselves' (Phil 2:3; Gal 5:26).
Pride also there is in outward attitude, behaviour, and gesture, which is bad for Christians to be tainted with; and this pride is expressed in fancy words, a superior attitude, and loving the trivial things that Satan, and every empty-headed fool brings into the world. As God speaks of the daughters of Zion, 'they walk with proud necks, and flirting eyes, strutting as they go' (Isa 3:16). Not a very fitting example for a people that profess godliness, and that come before God to confess their sins, and to humble themselves for what they have done. How can a sense of your own sin, of the vileness of your heart, and of the holiness of God, stand with such a example? Do you see the vileness of your heart, the fruit of sin? And are you troubled by the disagreement between God and your heart, that lays the reins on the neck of your lusts, and let them run where they want? Be not deceived, pride arises from ignorance of these things (1 Tim 6:3, 4). A sense of my vileness, of what I have deserved, and of what continually in my heart opposes God, cannot stand with a foolish, light, and flirting attitude: you will then see other things to mind than the butterfly. Alas, all these things are just painting the devil, and putting a gloss on his castle; you imitate the spider: is your heart stronger for your fine gait, fancy words, and lofty looks? Does this not confirm that your heart is rotten, diseased and obsessed? Oh! that God would let you see a little of your heart, as you wish others to see your outside: you painted sepulchre, you whitewashed wall, will these things be found virtues in the day of God? Or, is this the way you take to mortify sin? 'An high look, and a proud heart, the ploughing of the wicked, is sin' (Prov 21:4). Pride is the ringleader of the seven abominations that the wise man names, Proverbs 6:16, 17, and is above all what causes men to fall into the condemnation of the devil (1 Tim 3:6).