+III. The sinfulness of haughtiness is manifest in view of the emphatic discord with the example of Christ.+ Every sin may be condemned on this ground, yet haughtiness is in an especial manner in flagrant contradiction to that embodiment and manifestation of excellence which we have in the character of our Lord. In His dealings with men, even the lowest and most degraded, who can detect one trace of arrogance? Notice especially, that while He never called attention to His temperance, His truthfulness, His prayerfulness, &c., He did point out meekness as the feature by which He was especially distinguished, and by which His followers were to resemble Him, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me _for I am meek and lowly in heart._" 1. We may see now why haughtiness, which we are so accustomed to treat as a trivial thing, is so emphatically condemned in God's Word. 2. A very moderate acquaintance with human life is enough to teach us that haughtiness is a prolific source of sorrow, as well as a sin. It is so in those _towards_ whom it is manifested; slights are resented as insults, and brooded over as bitter wrongs. It is so in those _by_ whom it is manifested: the haughty meet with repeated mortifications, arising from the rejection of their claims to superiority,[1] and they are frequently brought into perilous collision with persons of like temper. An intelligent self-interest would lead us to shun that which God denounces as a sin. 3. While haughtiness may be natural in the children of this world, it is a grave and alarming inconsistency in the professed followers of Jesus. FOOTNOTES: [1] A proud man layeth himself open to blows by his presumption, and, like bubbles of soap-water, the bigger he grows the weaker he is, and swells till he bursts.--_Dumoulin._ FEMALE PRIDE AND LUXURY. iii. 16--iv. 1. _Moreover the Lord saith, Behold the daughters of Zion are haughty, &c._ We have here a terrible denunciation of female pride and luxury. Consider-- I. ITS COMMONNESS. In almost every age and country there have been women such as are here described.