Proud, dogmatic, and self-important

(Newton's letter on "Blemishes in Christian character")

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another;
 be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate
 and humble." 1 Peter 3:8

'Austerus' is a solid and exemplary Christian. He has a deep,
extensive, and experimental knowledge of Divine things.
Inflexibly and invariably true to his principles, he stems with
a noble singularity the torrent of the world, and can neither
be bribed nor intimidated from the path of duty. He is a rough
diamond of great intrinsic value, and would sparkle with a
distinguished luster--if he were more polished. But, though
the word of God is his daily study, and he prizes the precepts,
as well as the promises, more than thousands of gold and
silver, there is one precept he seems to have overlooked--
"be compassionate and humble."

Instead of that gentleness and humility which will always be
expected from a professed follower of the meek and lowly
Jesus, there is a harshness in his manner, which makes him
more admired than beloved; and those who truly love him,
often feel more constraint than pleasure when in his company.
His intimate friends are satisfied that he is no stranger to
true humility of heart; but these are few. By others he is
thought proud, dogmatic, and self-important; nor can
this prejudice against him be easily removed, until he can
lay aside that cynical air which he has unhappily contracted.

How lamentable are such blemishes in such a person!