Let me farther entreat you to guard against all indulgence of the spirit
of _pride_, or _vanity_. By _pride_, I mean such an inordinate and
unreasonable conceit of our own superiority in any respect, as leads us
to look down on others as beneath us, and to treat them with
haughtiness, or contempt. And by _vanity_, I understand that excessive
desire for the applause of others which leads to egotism, and such a
weak anxiety to attract the notice, and gain the approbation of those
around us, as are apt to betray into little and unworthy arts for
gaining the object. That both ought to be repudiated, as at once folly
and sin, I hope no formal argument will be necessary to convince you.
But still, they are both besetting sins, which cleave with deplorable
obstinacy to multitudes whose judgment is against them. Be assured, dear
children, pride is as foolish as it is criminal. Who made you to differ
from others? And what have you that you have not received? If you have
minds, or an education, or outward circumstances more favourable than
those of many others, who conferred them upon you? If, therefore, you
have received all, why should you glory as if you had not received them?
I know that we sometimes hear people talk of a "laudable pride," an
"honest pride," "a noble pride," &c. But such language is a grievous
abuse of terms, and ought to be forever banished from the vocabulary of
Christians. _Pride_ was "the condemnation and snare of the devil," and
is in all cases a weakness and a sin. To call a proper personal dignity
and self-respect by this odious name, is altogether incorrect and
deceptive. To speak of a disposition to avoid a mean action as "a noble
pride," is a perversion of language, as well as of moral principle. "Be
clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to
the humble." "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit
before a fall; for when pride cometh, then cometh shame, but with the
lowly is wisdom." _Vanity_ is a passion still more childish and
degrading. It exhibits a rational creature hanging on the smiles and the
praise of his fellow worms for his importance and happiness. O, what
infatuation for miserable sinners, who deserve nothing at the hand of
God but wrath, and the overflowing of wrath, and who are dependant on
his bounty for every breath, to be puffed up with high thoughts of
themselves, and arrogantly to claim the incense of praise! Fly, then,
from pride and vanity with the utmost vigilance. Study to be "meek and
lowly in heart." "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low
estate." "In lowliness of mind esteem others better than yourselves."
"Be not wise or great in your own conceits." Be not greedy of praise.
Despise all the unworthy arts of seeking and fishing for it. Rely upon
it, the lower you lie in the dust of abasement, the happier you will be.
The more you are disposed to love and honour all around you according to