Motives to holy living, or, Heads for meditation divided into consideratins, counsels, duties : together with some forms of devotion in litanies, collects, doxologies, &c.

§. 43.

The means to attain and preserve such Humility; and avoid such Pride.

1. Often comparing yours, with the recorded lives of for∣mer Saints, or of some persons living, who are very eminent in holiness; but carefully avoiding any com∣parison with others, inferior.

2. Often considering, 1 the great imperfection of your holy duties: 2 and the good in such imperfection proceed∣ing totally from God; we being rather moved; than moving, as to it.

3. Never judging your self by the good opinion others have of you; to whom we naturally hide our weaknesses and faults, shew our perfections, and vertues.

4. Often meditating on any singular deformities or infirmi∣ties in your body, or imbecility of any faculty of your soul, fancy, memory, elocution, &c; of any great sins, or disgraces of yours, past, or present; or considering, what a one, you use to be, in the times of desolation, and the withdrawings of God's Spirit.

5. Often comparing your sins with theirs, who, without like mercy shewed, or means for their salvation offered (as you have had,) suffer, some of them temporal; some,

eternal, vengeance; particularly, with the one only fault of the lost Angels; or the first sin of Adam; so se∣verely vindicated.

6. On the contrary hiding from your self (as much as you can) other mens Infirmities (the sight of which is the chief ground of self-conceit;) and looking upon their perfections (there being none but (by God's all wise distribution of his gifts) have something, or other, wherein he hath advantage of us) that so you may ful∣fil the Apostle's Rule (Phil. 2. ch. 3. ver.) in esteem∣ing others better than your self.

7. Not concealing your defects and faults from others.

8. Suffering defamations of your innocency, or the gain∣saying of truths (which are not of much moment) with∣out much vindicating them; other mens opinion of us (from which we take the chief estimate of our selves) when ill humbling us much; and this unsollicitousness of our credit saving much contention.

9. On the contrary concealing your good things; not de∣siring to appear wise, or learned, or holy, and favoured of God; not speaking truths (but upon great necessity) which any way tend to your reputation. Not making much appearance, and outward demonstrations, and professions of Humility; which (when true) affects to hide her self, as well as to hide other virtues. Not do∣ing any thing to gain applause; considering, that who have their reward here, shall not have one, or shall have it less, hereafter; and that God many times humbleth, as things that magnify themselves, so things magnified of others.