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The last and Principall Cause to draw vs into this deadly snare, is Pride, and vaine glory.
1 AS being both the ground of all the other euills.
2. Being the first sinne that en∣tred into the world, and discouered our fearefull bondage vnder Satan.
3. Beeing the last sin that we shal put of, and therefore when Satan
hath done with all other, he begins with this.
4. Being the sin that accompanies our best actions, to depriue God of his glory and our selues of the comfort of thē.
5. Giuing the Lord occasion to leaue vs to Satans power, for this our great blasphemie and sacriledge.
6. Giuing Satan occasion the rather to preuaile in regard of such pretences and maskes which this sinne hath to shrowd it selfe vnder, as thankeful∣nesse of God: Ioy in his blessings: furthe∣rance of others good in communicating with thē, what God hath vouchsafed vnto vs. And being his most effectuall baite to ensnare vs in this daungerous Couenant, because by Pride we are blin∣ded that wee cannot see our miserie, nor any daunger lyes vpon vs: and therefore are more easily drawne to make vp the measure of it.
By Pride, we are prouoked to conceit our own excellency so farre as to thinke nothing good enough for vs: and we think the Lord doth vs wrong, in not respecting vs accordingly. And
therfore we will right our selues, and entertaine what is offered, though it bee by Satan, yet wee presume to make it serue our turnes, wee con∣ceiue so highly of our selues, that no∣thing can defile, nothing preuaile to our hurt. Is it not our great preuiledge to command Satan? shall it not make for our glory, to hurt and helpe at our pleasure? Will it not please vs high∣ly, to heare, The Voyce of GOD, and not of man.
Thus doth Satan by Pride, draw vs-into his snare.
And therefore learne we to Reme∣die this great euill. As:
First, labour we to discerne through∣ly our cursed Nature, take we an often view of that poysonous fountaine, and though in regard of outwarde conformitie and faire shew, we may haue cause to lift vp our heades, yet when wee looke throughly within, we may hang thē down with shame.
2. Consider not the good we do, so much as the euil we daily commit, yea, that end that accōpanies our best actions.
3 And acknowledge wee, that whatsoeuer good we haue, I it is vn∣deserued on our part, 2 we daily de∣serue to be stripped of it.
4 Remember wee, the most glori∣ous creatures haue beene ouer-taken with this sinne, and therefore, let vs feare our selues most, when wee enioy grea∣test fauours.
5 And yet trust God most, when he seemes to do least for vs.
6 Labouring to doe all things as in the presence of the Almightie: And,
7 Auoiding very carefully the ap∣plause and estimation of men.
8 Not measuring the grace of God by outward complements.
9 Nor despising the least grace in o∣thers, though we farre exceed them.
10 Abounding in thankefulnesse to God, euen for the least of all his mer∣cies.
11 And daily reckoning with our selues for the abuse of his blessings.
12 Walking faithfully and diligent∣ly in the Callings which GOD hath placed vs in.
13 And submitting to those afflicti∣ons, that are incident thereto.
14 Meditating often on the humi∣liation of Iesus Christ.
15 And on that fulnesse of glorie that makes for vs in heauen.