Christian ethics -- Fiction; Christian fiction; Conduct of life -- Fiction
Atten. Well, Sir, now I have heard enough of Mr. Badmans naughtiness,
pray now proceed to his Death.
Wise. Why Sir, the Sun is not so low, we have yet three hours to night.
Atten. Nay; I am not in any great hast, but I thought you had even now
done with his Life.
Wise. Done! no, I have yet much more to say.
Atten. Then he has much more wickedness than I thought he had.
Wise. That may be. But let us proceed: This Mr. Badman, added to all
his wickedness this, He was a very proud man, a Very proud man. {126a}
He was exceeding proud and haughty in mind; He looked, that what he
said, ought not, must not be contradicted or opposed. He counted
himself as wise as the wisest in the Countrey, as good as the best,
and as beautiful as he that had most of it. He took great delight in
praising of himself, and as much in the praises that others gave him.
He could not abide that any should think themselves above him, or that
their wit or personage should by others be set before his. {126b} He
had scarce a fellowly carriage for his equals. But for those that were
of an inferior ranck, he would look over them in great contempt. And
if at any time he had any remote occasion of having to do with them,
he would shew great height, and a very domineering spirit. So that in
this it may be said that Solomon gave a characteristical note of him,
when he said: Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in
proud wrath. {126c} He never thought his Dyet well enough dressed, his
Cloathes fine enough made, or his Praise enough refined.
Atten. This Pride, is a sin that sticks as close to nature I think, as
most sins. There is Uncleanness and Pride, I know not of any two gross
sins that stick closer to men then they. They have, as I may call it,
an interest in Nature; it likes them because they most suit its lusts
and fancies: and therefore no marvel though Mr. Badman was tainted with
pride, since he had so wickedly given up himself to work all iniquity
with greediness.
Wise. You say right; Pride, is a sin that sticks close to Nature,
{126d} and is one of the first follies wherein it shews it self to be
polluted. For even in Childhood, even in little children, Pride will
first of all shew it self; it is a hasty, an early appearance of the
sin of the soul. It, as I may say, is that corruption that strives
for predominancy in the heart, and therefore usually comes out first.
But though children are so incident to it, yet methinks those of more
years, should be ashamed thereof. I might at the first have begun with
Mr. Badmans Pride, only I think it is not the Pride in Infancy, that
begins to make a difference betwixt one and another, as did, and do
those wherewith I began my relation of his life: therefore I passed it
over, but now, since he had no more consideration of himself, and of
his vile and sinful state, but to be proud when come to years; I have
taken the occasion in this place to make mention of his pride.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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