§. 25.
11. Of Ex∣traordina∣ry Abilities and Perfe∣ctions, natu∣ral, or ac∣quired.
1. Possessing with great jealousy, and fear, and mortifying, any more eminent and extraordinary endowments of Soul or Body, natural, or acquired; as beauty, strength, wit, me∣mory, eloquence, learning, &c, by hiding them to avoid praise, (where the exterior acts of them not necessary for deeds of charity,) and God will exalt your humility, and more divulge (as he sees meet) what you seek to cover. He walks in perpetual danger of ruine by pride, who hath any thing in him of extraordinary worth; and for him to assume any glorying from this, is a high act both of ingratitude, and injustice, whilst whatever these our good parts are they are God's free gift; and this Potter, as he pleaseth, of the self same lump now makes one Vessel to ho∣nor, and then another to dishonor; and is rob'd of so much of his glory, as we, or others, give to us.