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Pride, self-conceit, and self-exaltation
(J. C. Philpot, "New Years'
Address, 1857")
Pride, self-conceit, and self-exaltation,
are both
the chief temptations, and the main besetting sins,
of those who occupy any public position in the church.
Therefore, where these sins are not mortified by the
Spirit, and subdued by His grace; instead of being, as
they should be, the humblest of men; they are, with
rare exceptions, the proudest.
Did we bear in constant remembrance our slips, falls,
and grievous backslidings; and had we, with all this,
a believing sight of the holiness and purity of God,
of the sufferings and sorrows of His dear Son, and
what it cost Him to redeem us from the lowest hell;
we would be, we must be clothed with humility; and
would, under feelings of the deepest self-abasement,
take the lowest place among the family of God, as
the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all
the saints.
This should be the feeling of every child of God.
Until this pride is in some measure crucified,
until we hate it, and hate ourselves for it, the
glory of God will not be our main object.
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