that constantly and habitually indulges, rides upon the Spur, and will quickly overtake his Leaders. Nay if it be but this one vice of vanity, it may finally bring him to their states. He that loves to brag, will scarce find exercise enough for that faculty in his vertues, and therefore may at laft be temted to take in his vices alfo. But that which is more seriously confiderable is, that Pride is fo provoking to Almighty God, that it often causes him to withdraw his Grace, which is a Donative he has promised only to the humble. Jam. 4. 6. And indeed when we turn that Grace into

Proud man do's Wantonnefs, as the

who is pamper'd by it into high conceits of himself, 'tis not probable God will any longer prostitute his favors to fuch abufe. The Apostle obferves it of the Gentiles, who had in contradiction of their natural light abandon'd themfelves to vile Idolatries, that God after gave them up to a reprobate mind and vile affections. Rom. 1. 25. 26. But the Proud now ftifle a much clearer light, and give up themselves to as base an Idolatry, the adoration of themselves. And therefore 'tis but equal to expect God fhould defert them, and (as fome Nati

ons

ons have Deified their diseases) permit them to celebrate even their fowleft enormities. The application of all I shall fum up in the words of the Apoftle. Rom. II.21.Take heed alfo that he spare not thee.

SECT. X.

Of Querulousness.

O this of Boafting may not un fitly be fubjoin'd another inordinancy of the Tongue, viz. murmuring and complaining. For tho thefe faults seem to differ as much in their complexions, as Sanguine do's from Melancholy, yet there is nothing more frequent then to see them united in the fame Perfon. Nor is this a conjunction of a later date, but is as old as St. Jude's daies, who obferves that the murmurers and complainers are the very fame with those who speak great fwelling words, Jude 16.

2. NOR are we to wonder to find them thus conjoined, if we confider what an original cognation and kindred they

have, they being (however they seem devided) ftreams iffuing from the fame fountain. For the very fame Pride which promts a man to vaunt and overvalue what he is, do's as forcibly incline him to contemn and difvalue what he has; whilft mefuring his enjoiments by that vaft Idea he has form'd of himself, 'tis impoffible but he must think them below him.

3. THIS indeed is the true original of those perpetual complainings we hear from all forts and conditions of men. For let us pafs thro all Degrees, all Ages, we fhall rarely find a fingle Perfon, much less any member of men, exemt from this Querulous, this fullen humor as if that breath of life wherewith God originally inspired us, had bin given us not to magnify his Bounty, but to accufe his illiberality, and like the difmaller fort of instruments, could be tuned to no other Streins but those of Mourning and Lamentation. Every man contributes his note to this doleful Harmony, and after all that God has don to oblige and delight mankind, scarce any man is fatisfied enough, I will not fay to be thankfull, but to be patient. For alas what

what Tragical complaints do men make of their infelicity, when perhaps their profperity is as much the envious outcry of others? Every little defeat of a defign, of an appetite, every little difregard from thofe above them, or lefs folemn obfervance from those below them makes their Heart hot within them, Pfal. 39. 3. and the tongue (that combustible part) quickly takes fire and breaks out into extravagant exclamations. *It is indeed ftrange to fee how weighty every the trivialleft thing is when a paffion is cast into the scale with it, how every the flightest inconvenience or petty want preponderates hundreds of great fubstantial bleffings: when indeed were it in an inftance never fo confiderable, it could be no juft Counterpoife. Yet fo closely is this corruption interwoven with our conftitution, that it has fometimes prevail'd even upon good men. Jacob tho he had twelve fons, yet upon the fuppofed death of one defpis'd the comforts of all the reft, and with an obftinate forrow refolves to go mourning to his Grave. Gen. 35. 37. David after that fignal victory which had preferv'd his life, reinftated him in his Throne, and

reftor'd

reftor'd him to the Ark and Sanctuary, yet fuffer'd the lofs of his rebellious fon, who was the Author of his danger, to overwhelm the fenfe of his deliverance, and instead of Hymns and praises, breaks out into ejulations and effeminate wailings, 2 Sam. 18.33.

4. Bur God knows the most of our complaints cannot pretend to fuch confiderable motives: they are not the bowels of a Father, the impreffes of Nature that excite our repinings, but the impulfes of our lufts and inordinate appetites. Our discontents are usually fuch as Ahab's for his neighbors vineyard, Haman's for Mardecai's obeifance, Achitophel's for having his counfil rejected. Every disappointment of our avarice, ambition, and pride, fill's our hearts with bitternefs and our mouths with clamors. For if we should examine the numerous complaints which found in every corner, it would doubtlefs be found that the greatest part of them have fome fuch original: and that, whether the pretended grievances be public or private. For the firft: many a man is a ftate malecontent, merely because he fees another advanced to that honor or wealth which Ꮓ

he