Copyright2018©MonergismBooks

ADiscourseonMeeknessandQuietnessofSpirit

byMatthewHenry

"Ameekandquiet spirit,which is in the sightofGodof greatprice." 1Peter3:4

TableofContents

TheNatureofMeeknessandQuietnessofSpirit

TheExcellencyofMeekness

LackofMeeknessLamented

EncouragementstoMeekness—ScripturePrecepts

ScripturePatterns

WhenMeeknessisSpeciallyRequired

ArgumentsforMeekness

SomeRulesofDirection

Copyright

THENATUREOFMEEKNESSANDQUIETNESSOFSPIRIT

Meeknessandquietnessseemtoimplymuchthesamething,butasthelatterhassomethingofmetaphorinit,itwillillustratetheformer,sowe

shallspeakofthemdistinctly.

WemustbeofaMEEKspirit.Meeknessiseasinessofspirit:notasinfuleasiness to be debauched, asEphraim's,whowillinglywalked after thecommandment of the idolatrous princes; nor a simple easiness to beimposed upon and deceived, as Rehoboam's, who, when he was fortyyearsold,issaidtobeyoungandtender-hearted;butagraciouseasinesstobewroughtuponbythatwhichisgood,astheirswhoseheartofstoneis taken away and to whom a heart of flesh is given. Meeknessaccommodatesthesoultoeveryoccurrence,andsomakesamaneasytohimself and to all about him.The Latins call ameekmanmansuetus,which refers to the taming and reclaiming of creatures wild by nature,and bringing them to be tractable and familiar. James 3:7, 8. Man'scorruptnaturehasmadehimlikethewilddonkeyusedtothewilderness,ortheswiftdromedarytraversingherways.Jer.2:23,24.Butwhenthegraceofmeekness gets dominion in the soul, it alters the temper of it,submits it tomanagement;andnowthewolfdwellswith the lamb,andtheleopardliesdownwiththekid,anda littlechildmayleadthem;forenmitiesarelaidaside,andthereisnothingtohurtordestroy.Isa.11:6,9.

Meekness may be considered with respect both to God and to ourbrethren; itbelongstoboththetablesof the law,andattendsupon thefirst great commandment,You shall love theLordyourGod; aswell asthe second, which is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself;thoughitsspecialreferenceistothelatter.

I. There is MEEKNESS TOWARDS God, and it is the easy and quietsubmissionof the soul toHiswholewill, according asHe is pleased tomakeitknown,whetherbyHiswordorbyHisprovidence.

1. It is the silent submission of the soul to the word of God: theunderstandingbowed toeverydivine truth,and thewill toeverydivineprecept; and bothwithoutmurmuring or arguing. Theword is then an"engrafted word," when it is received with meekness, that is, with asincerewillingnesstobetaught,anddesiretolearn.Meeknessisagracethatcutsthestock,andholdsitopen,thattheword,asashoot,maybegraftedin;itbreaksupthefallowground,andmakesitfittoreceivethe

seed; captivates the high thoughts, and lays the soul like white paperunderGod'spen.Whenthedayspringtakesholdoftheendsoftheearth,it is said to be turned as clay to the seal. Job 38:14. In the sameway,meeknessdisposesthesoultoadmittheraysofdivinelight,whichbeforeitrebelledagainst;itopenstheheart,asLydia'swasopened,andsetsusdownwithMaryatthefeetofChrist,thelearner'splaceandposture.

Thepromiseofteachingismadetothemeek,becausetheyaredisposedto learn: "themeekHewill teachHisway." Theword ofGod is gospelindeed,"goodtidingstothemeek;"theywillentertainitandwelcomeit.The "poor in spirit" are evangelized; and Wisdom's alms are given tothosethatwithmeeknesswaitdailyathergates,andlikebeggarswaitatthedoorposts. Prov. 8:34.The language of thismeekness is that of thechildSamuel:"Speak,Lord,forYourservanthears;"andthatofJoshua,who,whenhewasinthathighpostofhonor,givingcommandtoIsrael,andbiddingdefiancetoalltheirenemies—hisbreastfilledwithgreatandbold thoughts—yet, upon the hint of a message from heaven, thussubmitshimselftoit:"WhatdoesmyLordsaytoHisservant?"andthatofPaul—anditwasthefirstbreathofthenewman—"Lord,whatwillYouhavemetodo?"andthatofCornelius:"AndnowweareallherepresentbeforeGod,tohearallthatyouhavebeencommandedbytheLord;"andthatofthegoodmanIhavereadof,who,whenhewasgoingtoheartheword,usedtosay,"Nowlet thewordof theLordcome;andifIhadsixhundrednecks,Iwouldbowthemalltotheauthorityofit."Toreceivethewordwithmeekness,istobedeliveredintoitasintoamold:thisseemsto be Paul's metaphor in Rom. 6:17, that "form of doctrine which wasdelivered you." Meekness softens the wax, that it may receive theimpression of the seal, whether it be for doctrine or reproof, forcorrectionorinstructioninrighteousness.Itopenstheeartodiscipline,silencesobjections,andsuppressestherisingsofthecarnalmindagainstthe word; agreeing with the law that it is good and esteeming all theprecepts concerning all things to be right, even when they give thegreatestchecktofleshandblood.

TruemeeknesswillpreventusfromopposingeithertheobviouspartsofScripture, severely as theymay denounce our vices, or themysteriousparts, in readingwhichvanitymay suggest thatwe couldhavedictated

whatismoreprofitable.Augustine.

2.ItisthesilentsubmissionofthesoultotheprovidenceofGod,forthatalsoisthewillofGodconcerningus.

1.WhentheeventsofProvidencearegrievousandafflicting,displeasingtosenseandopposingourworldlyinterests,meeknessnotonlyquietsusunderthem,butreconcilesustothem;andenablesusnotonlytobear,but toreceiveevilaswellasgoodat thehandof theLord;which is theexcellentframethatJobargueshimselfinto:itistokisstherod,andeventoacceptthepunishmentofoursin,takingallingoodpartthatGoddoes;notdaringtocontendwithourMaker,no,nordesiringtoadviseHim,butbeingdumb,andnotopeningthemouth,becauseGoddoesit.HowmeekwasAaronundertheseveredispensationwhichtookawayhissonswithaparticularmarkofdivinewrath.He"heldhispeace."Godwassanctified,andthereforeAaronwassatisfied,andhadnotawordtosayagainst it.Howunlike thiswas the temper,or rather thedistemperofDavid,whowasnotlikeamanafterGod'sownheartwhenhewasdispleasedbecausethe Lord had made a breach upon Uzzah—as if God must have askedDavid permission to assert the honor of his ark.When God's anger iskindled, our anger must be stifled; such is the law of meekness, thatwhateverpleasesGodmustnotdispleaseus.Davidwasinabetterframewhenhepennedthe56thPsalm,thetitleofwhich,somethink,speaksofhiscalmandsubmissivespiritwhenthePhilistinestookhiminGath.Itisentitled,TheSilentDoveAfarOff.Itwashiscalamitythathewasafaroff,buthewasthenasasilentdove—mourningperhaps,Isa.38:14—butnotmurmuring, not struggling, not resisting, when seized by the birds ofprey; and the psalm he penned in this frame was Michtam, a goldenpsalm.ThelanguageofthismeeknessisthatofEli,"ItistheLord;"andthatofDavidtothesamepurport,"HereamI;letHimdotomeasseemsgood to Him." Not only, He can do what He will, subscribing to Hispower, for who can stay His hand? or, He may do what He will,subscribing toHis sovereignty, for He gives not account of any of Hismatters; or, He will do what He will, subscribing to Hisunchangeableness,forHeisofonemind,andwhocanturnHim?but,Lethim do what He will, subscribing to His wisdom and goodness, asHezekiah, "Good is theword of the Lord,which you have spoken." Let

HimdowhatHewill, forHewilldowhat isbest; and therefore ifGodshouldrefer thematter tome,says themeekandquiet soul,beingwellassuredthatHeknowswhatisgoodformebetterthanIdoformyself,IwouldreferittoHimagain:"Heshallchooseourinheritanceforus."

2.When themethodsofProvidencearedarkand intricate,andwe arequiteatalosswhatGodisabouttodowithus—Hiswayisinthesea,andHispathinthegreatwaters,andHisfootstepsarenotknown,cloudsanddarknessareroundaboutHim—ameekandquietspiritacquiescesinanassurance that all things shall work together for good to us, if we loveGod, thoughwe cannotunderstandhoworwhichway. It teachesus tofollowGodwithanimplicitfaith,asAbrahamdidwhenhewentout,notknowingwhere he went, but knowing very wellwhom he followed. Itquietsuswiththis,thatthoughwhatHedoesweknownotnow,yetweshall know hereafter. John 13:7. When poor Job was brought to thatdismal plunge, that he could no way trace the footsteps of divineProvidence,butwasalmostlostinthelabyrinth,Job23:8,9,howquietlydoeshesitdownwith this thought:"ButHeknowsthewaythatI take:whenHehastriedme,Ishallcomeforthasgold."

II. There is MEEKNESS TOWARDS OUR BRETHREN, towards "allmen."Tit.3:2.Meeknessisespeciallyconversantaboutthedispositionofanger: not to entirely destroy and erase from the soul the holyindignationofwhichtheScripturesspeak,forthatweretoquenchacoalwhichsometimesthere isoccasionfor,evenatGod'saltar,andtoblunttheedgeevenofthespiritualweaponswithwhichwearetocarryonourspiritualwarfare;butitsofficeistodirectandgovernthisaffection,thatwemaybeangryandnotsin.Eph.4:26.

Meekness, in the school of the philosophers, is a virtue consisting in ameanbetweentheextremesofrashexcessiveangerontheonehand,andadefectofangeron theother;ameanwhichAristotleconfesses itveryhardexactlytogain.

Meekness, in the schoolofChrist, isoneof the fruitsof theSpirit.Gal.5:22,23.ItisagracewroughtbytheHolySpiritbothasasanctifierandasa comforter in theheartsof all truebelievers, teaching and enablingthem at all times to keep their passions under the conduct and

governmentofreligionandrightreason.Iobservethatitisworkedintheheartsofalltruebelievers,because,thoughtherearesomewhosenaturaltemper is unhappily sour and harsh, yet wherever there is true grace,thereisadispositiontostriveagainst,andstrengthinsomemeasuretoconquer such a disposition. And though in this, as in other graces, anabsolute sinless perfection cannot be expected in this present state, yetwearetolaborafterit,andpresstowardsit.

More particularly, the work and office of meekness is to enable us toprudentlygovernourownangerwhenatanytimeweareprovoked,andto patiently bear the anger of others, that it may not provoke us. Theformerisitsofficeespeciallyinsuperiors,thelatterininferiors,andbothinequals.

1. Meekness teaches us prudently to govern our own angerwheneveranything occurs that is provoking. As it is the work of temperance tomoderateournaturalappetitesinthingsthatarepleasingtosense,soitisthe work of meekness to moderate our natural passions against thosethings that are displeasing to sense, and to guide and govern ourresentments.Angerinthesoulislikemettleinahorse,goodifitiswellmanaged.Nowmeeknessisthebridle,aswisdomisthehandthatgiveslawto it,puts it intotherightway,andkeepsit inaneven,steady,andregular pace; reducing it when it turns aside, preserving it in a duedecorum, and restraining it and giving it restraint when at any time itgrowsheadstrongandoutrageous,andthreatensmischieftoourselvesorothers. It must thus be held in, like the horse andmule, with bit andbridle, lest it break the hedge, run over those that stand in its way, orthrowtheriderhimselfheadlong.Itistrueofanger,aswesayoffire,thatitisagoodservantbuta"badmaster;"itisgoodonthehearth,butbadinthehangings.Meeknesskeeps it in itsplace, setsbanks to thissea,andsays,Thisfaryoushallcome,andnofurther;hereshallyourproudwavesstop.

In reference to our own anger, when at any time we meet with theexcitementsofit,theworkofmeeknessistodothesefourthings:

1. To consider the circumstances of that which we perceive to be aprovocation,soasatnotimetoexpressourdispleasureexceptupondue

maturedeliberation.Theofficeofmeekness is tokeep reasonupon thethroneinthesoulas itoughttobe;topreservetheunderstandingclearandunclouded,thejudgmentuntaintedandunbiasedinthemidstofthegreatestprovocations,soastobeabletoseteverythinginitstruelight,and to see it in its own color, and to determine accordingly; as also tokeepsilenceinthecourt,thatthe"stillsmallvoice"inwhichtheLordis,asHewaswithElijahatmountHoreb,maynotbedrownedbythenoiseofthetumultofthepassions.

Ameekmanwillneverbeangryatachild,ataservant,atafriend,untilhehasfirstseriouslyweighedthecauseinjustandevenbalances,whileasteadyandimpartialhandholdsthescales,andafreeandunprejudicedthoughtjudgesitnecessary.It issaidofourLordJesus,John11:33,HetroubledHimself;whichdenotesittobeaconsiderateact,andwhatHesaw reason for. Things go right in the soul, when no resentments areadmittedintotheaffectionsbutwhathavefirstundergonethescrutinyofthe understanding, and thence received their pass. That passionwhichdoesnotcomeinbythisdoor,butclimbsupsomeotherway,thesameisathiefandarobber,againstwhichweshouldguard.Ina timeofwar—andsuchatimeit is ineverysanctifiedsoul, inaconstantwarbetweengraceandcorruption—due caremust be taken to examine all travelers,especiallythosethatcomearmed:wheretheycamefrom,wheretheygo,whomtheyare for,andwhat theywouldhave.Thusshould itbe in thewell-governed, well-disciplined soul. Let meekness stand sentinel; andupontheadvanceofaprovocation, letusexaminewho it is thatweareabouttobeangrywith,andforwhat.Whatare themeritsof thecause;wheredoestheoffenselie;whatwasthenatureandtendencyofit?Whatarelikelytobetheconsequencesofourresentments;andwhatharmwillitbeifwestiflethem,andletthemgonofurther?Suchasthesearethequestionswhichmeeknesswouldputtothesoul;andinanswertothemitwouldremoveallwhichpassionisapttosuggest,andhearreasononlyasitbecomesrationalcreaturestodo.

Threegreatdictatesofmeeknesswe findput together inone scripture:"Beswifttohear,slowtospeak,slowtowrath;"whichsomeobservetobecouchedinthreepropernamesofIshmael'ssons,Gen.25:14;1Chr.1:30—whichBishopPrideaux,inthebeginningofthewars,recommendedto

a gentleman that had been his pupil, as the summary of his advice—Mishma,Dumah,Massa;thesignificationofwhichis,hear,keepsilence,bear.Hear reason, keep passion silent, and then you will not find itdifficulttobeartheprovocation.

ItissaidoftheHolyOneofIsrael,whentheEgyptiansprovokedHim,Heweighed a path toHis anger; so themargin reads it from the Hebrew,Psa.78:50.Justicefirstpoisedthecause,andthenangerpouredoutthevials. Thus the Lord came down to see the pride of the Babel-buildersbeforeHescatteredthem,andtoseethewickednessofSodombeforeHeoverthrew it—though both were obvious and barefaced—to teach us toconsiderbeforeweareangry,andtojudgebeforewepasssentence,thathereinwemaybefollowersofGodasdearchildren,andbemerciful,asourFatherwhichisinheavenismerciful.

Wereadof the"meeknessofwisdom;" forwhere there isnotwisdom—that wisdom which is profitable to direct, that wisdom of the prudentwhichistounderstandhisway—meeknesswillnotlongbepreserved.Itisourrashnessandinconsiderationthatbetrayustoallthemischiefsofan ungoverned passion, on the neck of which the reins are laid whichshould be kept in the hand of reason, and so we are hurried upon athousand precipices. Nehemiah is a remarkable instance of prudencepresiding in justresentments:heowns, "IwasveryangrywhenIheardtheircry;"butthatangerdidnotatall transgressthelawsofmeekness,foritfollows,"thenIconsultedwithmyself,"orastheHebrewhasit,myheartconsultedinme.Beforeheexpressedhisdispleasureheretiredintohisownbosom,tooktimeforsoberthoughtuponthecase,andthenherebukedthenoblesinaverysolid,rationaldiscourse,andthesuccesswasgood. In every cause when passion demands immediate judgment,meeknessmovesforfurthertime,andwillhavethematterfairlyargued,andcounselheardonbothsides.

WhenJobhadanyquarrelwithhis servants,hewaswilling to admit arational debate of the matter, and to hear what they had to say forthemselves;forhesays,"WhatshallIdowhenGodrisesup?"Andwithal,"DidnotHethatmademeinthewomb,makehim?"Whenourheartsareat any time hot within us, we should do well to put that question toourselveswhichGodputtoCain,Gen.4:6.WhyamIangry?WhyamI

angry at all? Why so soon angry? Why so very angry? Why so fartransported and dispossessed of myself by my anger? What reason isthere for all this?Do Iwell to be angry for a gourd, that cameup in anight and perished in a night? Jonah 4:9. Should I be touched to thequick by such a sudden and transient provocation?Will notmy coolerthoughtscorrectthesehastyresentments,andthereforewereitnotbettertocheckthemnow?Sucharethereasoningsofthemeeknessofwisdom.

2.Theworkofmeeknessistocalmthespirit,soasthattheinwardpeacemaynotbedisturbedbyanyoutwardprovocation.Nodoubtamanmayexpresshisdispleasureagainstthemiscarriagesofanother,asmuchasatanytimethereisoccasionfor,withoutsufferinghisresentmentstorecoiluponhimself,andthrowhisownsoulintoafury.Whatneedisthereforamanto tearhimself—hissoul,as it is in theHebrew—inhis anger?Job18:4.Cannotwechargehomeuponourenemycampwithoutthewillfuldisordering of our own troops? Surely we may, if meekness has thecommand;forthatisagracewhichkeepsamanmasterofhimselfwhilehecontends tobemasterof another, and fortifies theheart against theassaultsofprovocationthatdousnogreatharmwhiletheydonotrobusof our peace, nor disturb the rest of our souls. As patience in case ofsorrow,someeknessincaseofangerkeepspossessionofthesoul,astheexpressionisinLuke21:19,thatwebenotdispossessedofthatfreehold.ThedriftofChrist's farewellsermontohisdiscipleswehave inthefirstwordsofit,"Letnotyourheartsbetroubled."John14:1.Itisthedutyandinterestofallgoodpeople,whateverhappens,tokeeptroublefromtheirhearts, and to have them even and sedate, though the eye, as Jobexpresses it, should"continue"unavoidably "in theprovocation"of thisworld. "Thewicked"—the turbulentandunquiet, as theworldprimarilysignifies—"arelikethetroubledseawhenitcannotrest;"butthatpeaceofGodwhichpassesallunderstanding,keepstheheartsandmindsofallthemeekoftheearth.Meeknesspreservesthemindfrombeingruffledanddiscomposed, and the spirit from being unhinged by the vanities andvexationsofthislowerworld.Itstillsthenoiseofthesea,thenoiseofherwaves,and the tumultof the soul; itpermitsnot thepassions to crowdout in a disorderly manner, like a confused, ungoverned rabble, butdraws them out like the trained bands, every one in his own order, aswisdomandgracegivethewordofcommand.

3.Meeknesswillcurbthetongue,and"keepthemouthaswithabridle"whentheheartishot.Evenwhentheremaybeoccasionforakeennessofexpression,andwearecalledtorebukesharply—cuttingly,Titus1:13—yetmeeknessforbidsallfuryandindecencyoflanguage,andeverythingthatsoundslikeclamorandevil-speaking.ThemeeknessofMoseswasnotathandwhenhespokethatunadvisedword"rebels,"forwhichhewasshutoutofCanaan,thoughrebelstheywere,andatthattimeveryprovoking.Men in a passion are apt to give reviling language, to call names, andthosemostsenselessandridiculous—totaketheblessednameofGodinvain,andsoprofaneit.Itisawretchedwaybywhichthechildrenofhellventtheirpassionattheirbeasts,theirservants,anyperson,oranythingthatprovokesthem,toswearatthem.Meninapassionareapttorevealsecrets, to make rash vows and resolutions, which afterwards prove asnare, and sometimes to slander and belie their brethren, and bringrailingaccusations,andsodothedevil'swork;andtospeakthat"intheirhaste" concerning others, Psalm 116:11, of which they afterwards seecausetorepent.HowbrutishlydidSaul inhispassioncallhisownson,the heir-apparent to the crown, the "son of the perverse rebelliouswoman.""Racca"and"youfool"arespecifiedbyourSaviorasbreachesofthelawofthesixthcommandment;andthepassionintheheartissofarfrom excusing such opprobrious speeches—for which purpose it iscommonlyalleged—thatreallyitisthatwhichgivesthemtheirmalignity:theyarethesmokefromthatfire,thegallandwormwoodspringingfromthatrootofbitterness;andiffor"everyidlewordthatmenspeak,"muchmorefor suchwickedwords as these,must they give an account at thedayofjudgment.AndasitisareflectionuponGodtokill,soitistocursemen that are made after the image of God, though ever so much ourinferiors;thatis,tospeakillofthem,ortowishilltothem.

Thisisthediseasewhichmeeknessprevents,andisinthetonguea"lawofkindness."Itistothetongueasthehelmistotheship,Jas.3:4,nottosilence it, but to guide it, to steer itwisely, especiallywhen thewind ishigh. If at any time we have conceived passion and thought evil,meeknesswilllaythehanduponthemouth—asthewiseman'sadviceis,Prov.30:32—tokeepthatevilthoughtfromventingitselfinanyevilwordreflecting upon God or our brother. It will reason a disputed pointwithoutnoise,giveareproofwithoutareproach,convinceamanofhis

folly without calling him a fool, will teach superiors either to forbearthreatening,Eph.6:9,or,asthemarginreadsit,tomoderateit;andwilllookdiligently lest any root of bitterness, springingup, trouble us, andtherebyweandmanyothersbecomedefiled.

4. Meekness will cool the heat of passion quickly, and not allow it tocontinue.Asitkeepsusfrombeingsoonangry,soitteachesuswhenweareangrytobesoonpacified.Theangerofameekmanislikefirestruckoutofsteel—hardtogetout;andwhenitis,soongone.Thewisdomthatisfromabove,asitis"gentle,"andsonotapttoprovoke,soitis"easytobeentreated"whenanyprovocationisgiven,andhastheearalwaysopento the first proposals and overtures of satisfaction, submission, andreconciliation; and thus the anger is turnedaway.He that is of ameekspiritwillbequicktoforgiveinjuriesandaffronts,andhassomeexcuseor other ready with which to extenuate and qualify the provocation,which an angry man, for the exasperating and justifying of his ownresentments, will industriously aggravate. It is but to say, "There is nogreat harm done; or if there is, there was none intended; andperadventure it was an oversight;" and so the offense, being looked atthroughthatendoftheperspectivewhichdiminishes,iseasilypassedby,and the distemper being taken in time, goes off quickly, the fire isquenchedbeforeitgetshead,andbyaspeedyinterventiontheplagueisstopped.Whiletheworldissofullofthesparksofprovocation,andthereis so much tinder in the hearts of the best, no marvel if anger comesometimesintothebosomofawiseman;butitrestsonlyinthebosomoffools.Eccl.7:9.Angrythoughtsasothervainthoughtsmaycrowdintotheheartuponasuddensurprise,butmeeknesswillnotsufferthemtolodgethere,norletthesungodownuponthewrath,Eph.4:26;forif itdoes,there is danger lest it rise bloody the next morning. Anger concoctedbecomesmalice;itisthewisdomofmeekness,byproperapplications,todispersethehumorbeforeitcomestoahead.Onewouldhavethought,whenDavidsodeeplyresentedNabal'sabuse,thatnothinglessthanthebloodofNabalandallhishousecouldhavequenchedhisrage;butitwasdoneatacheaper rate; andhe showedhismeeknessby yielding to thediversion that Abigail's present and speech gave him, and that withsatisfactionandthankfulness.Hewasnotonlysoonpacified,butblessedher, and blessed God for her that pacified him. God does not contend

forever,neitherisHealwaysangry;"Hisangerenduresbutamoment."How unlike Him are those whose sword devours forever, and whoseangerburnslikethecoalsofjuniper!Butthegraceofmeekness,ifitfailofkeepingthepeaceofthesoulfrombeingbroken,yetfailsnottorecoveritpresently,andmakeupthebreach;andupontheleasttransport,bringshelpintimeofneed,restoresthesoul,putsitinframeagain,andnogreatharm is done. Such as these are the achievements of meekness ingoverningourownanger.

2.Meeknessteachesandenablesuspatientlytobeartheangerofothers,whichpropertyofmeeknesswehaveespeciallyoccasionforinreferenceto our superiors and equals. Commonly that which provokes anger isanger, as fire kindles fire;nowmeeknessprevents that violent collisionwhichforcesoutthesesparks,andsoftensatleastoneside,andsoputsastoptoagreatdealofmischief;forit isthesecondblowthatmakesthequarrel. Our first concern should be to prevent the anger of others bygiving no offense to any, but becoming all things to all men, everyonestudying to please his neighbor for good to edification,Rom. 15:2, andendeavoring as much as lies in us to accommodate ourselves to thetemperofallwithwhomwehavetodo,andtomakeourselvesacceptableandagreeabletothem.Howeasyandcomfortableshouldwemakeeveryrelationandallourdealingsifwewerebutbetteracquaintedwiththisareof obliging. Naphtali's tribe, that was famous for giving goodly words,Gen.49:21,hadthehappinessofbeingsatisfiedwithfavor,Deut.33:23;for "every man shall kiss his lips that gives a right answer." In theconjugalrelationitistakenforgrantedthatthecareofthehusbandistopleasehiswife,andthecareofthewife istopleaseherhusband,1Cor.7:33, 34; and where there is that mutual care, enjoyment cannot belacking. Some people love to be unkind, and take a pleasure indispleasing,andespeciallycontrivetoprovokethosetheyfindpassionateandeasilyprovoked,that—ashethatgiveshisneighbordrink,andputshisbottletohim,Hab.2:15,16—theymaylookuponhisshame,towhich,inhispassion,heexposeshimself;andsotheymakeamockatsin,andbecome like themadman that casts firebrands, arrows, and death, andsays,"AmnotIinsport?"ButthelawofChristforbidsustoprovokeoneanother,unlessitis"toloveandgoodworks;"andenjoinsusto"bearoneanother'sburdens,andsofulfillthelawofChrist."

But because theymust rise early who will please everybody, and carrytheircupevenindeedwhowillgivenooffense,ournextconcernmustbeto behave ourselves in such away thatwhen others are angry, thatwemay notmake badworse. And this is one principal thing inwhich theyoungermustsubmitthemselvestotheelder;no,inwhichallofusmustbe "subject one to another," as our rule is in 1 Pet. 5:5. And heremeeknessisofuse,eithertoenjoinsilenceorinditeasoftanswer.

1.To enjoin silence. It is prescribed to servants to please theirmasterswellinallthings,"notansweringagain,"forthatisdispleasing:bettersaynothingthansaythatwhichisprovoking.Whenourheartsarehotwithinus,itisgoodforustokeepsilence,andholdourpeace:soDaviddid;andwhenhedidspeak,itwasinprayertoGod,andnotinreplytothewickedthatwerebeforehim.Iftheheartisangry,angrywordswillinflameitthemore, as wheels are heated by a rapid motion. One reflection andreparteebegetsanother,andthebeginningofthedebateislikethelettingforthofwater,which iswithdifficulty stoppedwhen the leastbreach ismade in the bank; and therefore meekness says, "By all means keepsilence,andleaveitoffbeforeitismeddledwith."Whenafireisbegun,itisgood,ifpossible,tosmotherit,andsopreventitsspreading.Letusdealwisely,andstifle it inthebirth, lestafterwardsitprovetoostrongtobedealtwith.Anger in theheart is like the books stowed in cellars in theconflagration of London, which, though they were extremely heated,nevertookfireuntil theytookairmanydaysafter,whichgivingventtotheheat,putthemintoaflame.Whenthespiritsareinaferment,thoughit may be some present pain to check and suppress them, and theheadstrongpassionshardlyadmitthebridle,yetafterwardsitwillbenogriefofhearttous.

Thosewhofindthemselveswrongedandaggrieved,thinktheymayhavepermissiontospeak;butitisbettertobesilentthantospeakamiss,andmakeworkforrepentance.Atsuchatimehethatholdshistongueholdshispeace;andifwesoberlyreflect,weshallfindwehavebeenoftentheworseforourspeaking,butseldomtheworseforoursilence.Thismustbe especially remembered and observed by as many as are under theyoke,whowillcertainlyhavemostcomfortinmeeknessandpatienceandsilent submission, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the

froward.Itisgoodinsuchcasestorememberourplace,andifthespiritofa ruler riseupagainstus,not to leave it, that is,not todoany thingunbecoming; for yielding pacifies great offenses. Eccl. 10:4.We have acommonproverbthatteachesusthis:"Whenyouarethehammer,knockyourfill;butwhenyouaretheanvil,liestill;"foritisthepostureyouarecutoutfor,andwhichbestbecomesyou.

If others are angry with us without cause, and we have ever so muchreason on our side, yet often it is best to delay our own vindication,though we think it necessary, until the passion is over; for there isnothingsaidordoneinpassion,butitmaybebettersaidandbetterdoneafterwards.Whenwearecalm,weshallbelikelytosayitanddoit inabettermanner;andwhenourbrotheriscalm,weshallbelikelytosayitanddo it toabetterpurpose.Aneedful truth spoken inangermay domore hurt than good, and offend rather than satisfy. The prophethimself forbore even a message from God when he saw Amaziah in apassion.Sometimesitmaybeadvisabletogetsomeoneelsetosaythatforuswhichistobesaid,ratherthansayitourselves.However,wehavearighteousGod,towhom, if inameeksilenceweallowourselvestobeinjured,wemaycommitourcause,andhavinghispromisethatHewill"bring forth our righteousness as the light, and our judgment as thenoonday,"wehadbetterleaveitinHishandsthanundertaketomanageit ourselves, lest that whichwe call clearing ourselves, God should callquarrelingwithourbrethren.Davidwasgreatlyprovokedby those thatsoughthishurt,andspokemischievousthingsagainsthim;andyetsayshe,"I,asadeafman,heardnot;Iwasasadumbman,thatopensnothismouth."Andwhyso?Itwasnotbecausehehadnothingtosay,orknewnothowtosayit,butbecause"inYou,OLord,doIhope:Youwillhear,OLordmyGod." IfGod hear,what need have I to hear?His concerningHimself in thematter supersedes ours, andHe is not only engaged injustice to own every righteous cause that is injured, but He is furtherengaged in honor to appear for those who, in obedience to the law ofmeekness,commit theircause toHim. Ifanyvindicationoravenging isnecessary—which infinite Wisdom is the best judge of—He can do itbetter than we can; therefore "give place unto wrath," that is, to thejudgmentofGod,whichisaccordingtotruthandequity;makeroomforHim to take the seat, and do not step in beforeHim. It is fit that our

wrathshouldstandby togiveway tohis, for thewrathofmanengagesnottherighteousnessofGodforhim.EvenjustappealsmadetoHim,iftheyaremadeinpassion,arenotadmittedintothecourtofheaven,beingnotdulypresented; thatone thing,error, is sufficient tooverrule them.Let not therefore those that do well and suffer for it, spoil their ownvindicationbymistimingandmismanaging it; but tread in the stepsoftheLord Jesus,who,whenHewas reviled, revilednot again;whenHesuffered,Hethreatenednot;butwasasalambdumbbeforetheshearers,andsocommittedHimselftoHimthatjudgesrighteously.Itisindeedaprincipalpartofself-denialtobesilentwhenwehaveenoughtosay,andprovocationtosayit;butifwedothuscontrolourtonguesoutofapureregard topeace and love, itwill turn to a goodaccount, andwill be anevidence for us that we are Christ's disciples, having learned to denyourselves. It is better by silence to yield to our brother who is, or hasbeen,ormaybeourfriend,thanbyangryspeakingtoyieldtothedevil,whohasbeen,andis,andeverwillbeourswornenemy.

2.Togiveasoftanswer.ThisSolomoncommendsasaproperexpedienttoturnawaywrath,whilegrievouswordsdobutstirupanger.Whenanyspeakangrilytous,wemustpauseawhileandstudyananswer,which,bothforthematterandmannerofit,maybemildandgentle.Thisbringswater, while peevishness and provocation would but bring oil to theflame. Thus is death and life in the power of the tongue; it is eitherhealingorkilling,anantidoteorapoison,accordingasitisused.Whenthewavesoftheseabeatonarock,theybatterandmakeanoise,butasoftsandreceivesthemsilently,andreturnsthemwithoutdamage.Asofttongue is a wonderful specific, and has a very strange virtue in it.Solomonsays, "It breaks the bone," that is, it qualifies those thatwereprovoked,andmakesthempliable;it"heapscoalsoffireuponthehead"of an enemy,not toburn him, but tomelt him. "Hardwords,"we say,"breaknobones;"butitseemssoftonesdo,andyetdonoharm,astheycalmanangryspiritandpreventitsprogress.Astonethatfallsonawool-packreststhere,andreboundsnottodoanyfurthermischief;suchisameekanswertoanangryquestion.

Thegoodeffectsofasoftanswer,andthebadconsequencesofapeevishone,areobservableinthestoriesofGideonandJephthah:bothofthem,

in thedayof their triumphsover the enemies of Israel,were quarreledwithbytheEphraimites,whenthedangerwaspastandthevictorywon,because they had not been called upon to engage in the battle.Gideonpacifiedthemwithasoftanswer:"WhathaveIdonenowincomparisontoyou?"magnifyingtheirachievementsandlesseninghisown,speakinghonorably of them and meanly of himself: "Is not the gleaning of thegrapesofEphraimbetterthanthevintageofAbiezer?"Inwhichreplyitishardtosaywhethertherewasmoreofwitorwisdom;andtheeffectwasverygood:theEphraimiteswerepleased,theirangerturnedaway,acivilwar prevented, and nobody could think the worse of Gideon for hismildnessandself-denial.Onthecontrary,hewonmoretruehonorbyhisvictoryoverhisownpassion,thanhedidbyhisvictoryoverallthehostofMidian;forhethathasruleoverhisownspiritisbetterthanthemighty.TheangeloftheLordhaspronouncedhima"mightymanofvalor;"andthis his tame submission did not at all derogate from that part of hischaracter.ButJephthah,whobymanyinstancesappearstobeamanofarough and hasty spirit, though enrolled among the eminent believers,Heb.11:32—forallgoodpeoplearenotalikehappyintheirtemper—whentheEphraimites in likemanner quarrelwith him, rallies them, rebukesthemfortheircowardice,boastsofhisowncourage,andchallengesthemtomakegoodtheircause.Judg.12:2.Theyretortascurrilousreflectionupon Jephthah's country, as it is usual with passion to taunt and jeer:"YouGileaditesarefugitives."Fromwordstheygotoblows,andsogreatamatterdoesthislittlefirekindle,thattheregoesnolesstoquenchtheflame than thebloodof forty-two thousandEphraimites.Allwhichhadbeenhappilyprevented,ifJephthahhadhadbuthalfasmuchmeeknessinhisheartashehadreasononhisside.

A soft answer is the dictate and dialect of that wisdom which is fromabove, which is peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated; and torecommendittous,wehavethepatternofgoodmen,asthatofJacob'sconducttoEsau.Thoughnoneissohardtobewonasabrotheroffended,yet, as he had prevailedwith God by faith and prayer, so he prevailedwithhisbrotherbymeeknessandhumility.Wehavealsothepatternofangels, who, evenwhen a rebukewas needful, dared not turn it into arailingaccusation,darednotgiveanyreviling language,nottothedevilhimself,butreferredthematter toGod:"TheLordrebukeyou;"asthat

passageinJude9iscommonlyunderstood.Moreso,wehavethepatternof a good God, who, though He could plead against us with His greatpower,yetgivessoftanswers:witnessHisdealingwithCainwhenhewaswrothandhiscountenancefallen,reasoningthecasewithhim:"Whyareyouangry?Ifyoudowell,willyounotbeaccepted?"WithJonahlikewisewhen hewas so discontented: "Is it right for you to be angry?" This isrepresented, in the parable of the prodigal son, by the conduct of thefather towards the elder brother, who was so angry that he would notcome in. The father did not say, "Let him stay out then;" but he camehimselfandentreatedhim,whenhemighthaveinterposedhisauthorityand commanded him, saying, "Son, you are ever with me." When apassionatecontest isbegun,there isaplaguebrokeout: themeekman,likeAaron, takes his censerwith the incense of a soft answer, steps inseasonably,andstaysit.

Thissoftanswer,incasewehavecommittedafault,thoughperhapsnotculpable to the degree that we are charged with, must be penitent,humble,andsubmissive;andwemustbereadytoacknowledgeourerror,and not stand in it, or insist upon our own vindication; but ratheraggravatethanexcuseit,rathercondemnthanjustifyourselves.ItwillbeagoodevidenceofourrepentancetowardsGod,tohumbleourselvestoourbrethrenwhomwehaveoffended,asitwillbealsoagoodevidenceofour being forgiven of God, if we are ready to forgive those that haveoffendedus;andsuchyieldingpacifiesgreatoffenses.Meeknessteachesus,asoftenaswetrespassagainstourbrother,to"turnagainandsay,Irepent." An acknowledgment, in case of a willful affront, is perhaps asnecessarytopardon,as,wecommonlysay,restitutionisincaseofwrong.

Somuchfortheopeningofthenatureofmeekness,whichyetwillreceivefurtherlightfromconsideringmoreparticularlywhatisimpliedin—

QUIETNESSOFSPIRIT.

Quietnessistheevenness,thecomposureandtherestofthesoul,whichspeaksboththenatureandtheexcellencyofthegraceofmeekness.Thegreatest comfort and happiness of man is sometimes set forth byquietness.ThatpeaceofconsciencewhichChristhas left fora legacytohisdisciples,thatpresentsabbatismofthesoulwhichisanearnestofthe

restthatremainsforthepeopleofGod,iscalled"quietnessandassuranceforever,"andispromisedastheeffectofrighteousness.SograciouslyhasGodbeenpleasedtoentwineinterestswithus,astoenjointhesamethingasadutywhichHeproposesandpromisesasaprivilege.JustlymaywesaythatweserveagoodMaster,whose"Yokeiseasy:"itisnotonlyeasy,but sweet and gracious, so the word signifies; not only tolerable, butamiable and acceptable. Wisdom's ways are not only pleasant, butpleasantnessitself,andallherpathsarepeace.It isthecharacteroftheLord'speople, both in respect toholiness andhappiness, that, howeverthey are branded as the troublers of Israel, they are "the quiet in theland."Ifeverysaintismadeaspiritualprince,Rev.1:6,havingadignityaboveothers and a dominion over himself, surely he is like Seraiah, "aquietprince."ItisareignwithChrist,thetranscendentSolomon,underthe influence of whose golden scepter there is "abundance of peace aslong as themoon endures," yes, and longer, for "of the increase of hisgovernmentandpeacethereshallbenoend."Quietnessisrecommendedasagracewhichweshouldbeenduedwith,andadutywhichweshouldpractice. In themidstof all the affronts and injuries that are or canbeoffered us, we must keep our spirits sedate and undisturbed, andevidencebyacalmandevenandregularbehaviorthattheyareso.Thisisquietness.OurSaviorhaspronouncedtheblessingofadoptionuponthepeacemakers, Matt. 5:9; those that are for peace, as David professeshimself to be, in opposition to those that delight in war. Psalm 120:7.Now,ifcharityisforpeace-making,surelythis"charitybeginsathome,"andisformakingpeacethereinthefirstplace.Peaceinourownsoulsissome conformity to the example of the God of peace, who, thoughHedoesnotalwaysgivepeaceon thisearth,yetevermore"makespeace inhis own high places." This some think is the primary intention of thatpeace-making on which Christ commands the blessing: it is to havestrongandheartyaffectionstopeace,tobepeaceably-minded.Inaword,quietness of spirit is the soul's stillness and silence from intendingprovocation to any, or resenting provocation from any with whom wehavetodo.

Theword has something in it ofmetaphor,which admirably illustratesthegraceofmeekness.

1.Wemustbequietastheair isquiet fromwinds.Disorderlypassionsarelikestormywindsinthesoul,theytossandhurryit,andoftenstrandoroversetit;theymoveit"asthetreesoftheforestaremovedwiththewind;"itistheprophet'scomparison,andisanaptemblemofamaninpassion. Nowmeekness restrains these winds, says to them, Peace, bestill, and so preserves a calm in the soul, andmakes it conformable toHimwhohasthewindsinhishands,andishereintobepraisedthateventhestormywindsfulfillhisword.Abriskgaleisoftenuseful,especiallytotheshipofdesire,astheHebrewphraseisinJob9:26;sothereshouldbeinthesoulsuchawarmthandvigoraswillhelptospeedustothedesiredharbor.Itisnotwelltoliewind-boundindullnessandindifference;buttempestsareperilous,yes, thoughthewind is in therightpoint.Soarestrong passions, even in good men; they both hinder the voyage andhazardtheship.Suchaquicknessasconsistswithquietness iswhatweshouldalllaborafter,andmeeknesswillcontributeverymuchtowardsit;it will silence the noise, control the force, moderate the impetus, andcorrect undue anddisorderly transports.Whatmannerof grace is this,thateventhewindsandtheseaobeyit!IfwewillbutusetheauthorityGodhasgivenusoverourownhearts,wemaykeepthewindsofpassionunderthecommandofreligionandreason;andthenthesoulisquiet,thesun shines, all is pleasant, serene, and smiling, and the man sleepssweetlyandsafelyonthelee-side.Wemakeourvoyageamongrocksandquicksands, but if theweather is calm,we can the better steer so as toavoid them, and by a due care and temper strike the mean betweenextremes;whereashethatallowsthesewindsofpassiontogethead,andspreads a large sail before them, while he shuns one rock, splits uponanother,andisindangerofbeingdrownedindestructionandperditionby many foolish and hurtful lusts, especially those whence wars andfightingscome.

2.Wemustbequietastheseaisquiet fromwaves.Thewicked,whosesinandpunishmentbothlieintheunrulinessoftheirownsouls,andtheviolence anddisorder of theirownpassions,which perhapswill not bethe least of their eternal torments, are compared to "the troubled sea,whenitcannotrest,whosewaterscastupmireanddirt;"thatis,theyareuneasy to themselves and to all about them, "raging waves of the sea,foaming out their own shame;" their hard speeches which they speak

against God and dignities and things which they know not, their greatswellingwordsandmockings,Jude13,18,thesearetheshametheyfoamout.Nowmeekness isagraceof theSpirit, thatmovesuponthe faceofthewatersandquietsthem,smoothstheruffledseaandstillsthenoiseofit; it casts forthnoneof themireanddirtofpassion.Thewavesmountnotuptoheaveninproudandvaingloriousboasting;theygonotdowntothedepthstoscrapeupvileandscurrilouslanguage:thereisnoreelingtoandfro,asmenovercomewithdrinkorwiththeirownpassion;thereisnoneofthattransportwhichbringsthemtotheirwits'end;but"theyaregladbecausetheyarequiet; soHebrings them to theirdesiredhaven."Thiscalmnessandevennessofspiritmakesourpassageover theseaofthis world safe and pleasant, quick and speedy towards the desiredharbor,andisamiableandexemplaryintheeyesofothers.

3.Wemustbequietasthelandisquietfromwar.Itwastheobservablehappiness of Asa's reign, that "in his days the land was quiet." In theprecedingreignstherewasnopeacetohimthatwentout,ortohimthatcame in; but now the rumors and alarms of war were stilled, and thepeopledeliveredfromthenoiseofarchersattheplaceofdrawingwaters,as when the land had rest in Deborah's time. Such a quietness thereshouldbeinthesoul,andsuchaquietnesstherewillbewheremeeknesssways the scepter. A soul inflamed with wrath and passion upon alloccasions, is likeakingdomembroiled inwar, ina civilwar, subject tocontinual frightsand lossesandperils;deathsandterrors in theirmosthorrid shapes walk triumphantly, sleep is disturbed, families broken,friends suspected, enemies feared, laws silenced, commerce ruined,business neglected, cities wasted: such heaps upon heaps doesungoverned anger lay, when it is let loose in the soul. But meeknessmakesthesewarstocease,breaks thebow,cuts thespear,sheathes thesword,and in themidstofa contentiousworldpreserves the soul frombeingtheseatofwar,andmakespeaceinherborders.Therestofthesoulis not disturbed, its comforts not plundered, its government notdisordered; the laws of religion and reason rule, and not the sword;neither its communion with God nor with the saints interrupted; nobreakinginoftemptation,nogoingoutofcorruption,nocomplaininginthestreets;nooccasiongiven,nooccasiontaken,tocomplain.Happyisthesoulthatisinsuchacase.Thewordsofsuchwisemenareheardin

quiet,morethanthecryofhimthatrulesamongfools,andthis"wisdomisbetterthanweaponsofwar."Thisisthequietnessweshouldeveryoneofuslaborafter;anditiswhatwemightattainto,ifwewouldbutmoresupportandexercise theauthorityofourgraces, andguideandcontrolthepowerofourpassions.

4. We must be quiet as the child is quiet after weaning. It is thePsalmist's comparison: "I have behaved," or rather, I have composed,"andquietedmyselfasachild that isweanedofhismother;my soul isevenasaweanedchild."Achild,whileitisintheweaning,perhapsisalittle cross and froward and troublesome for a time; but when it isperfectlyweaned,howquicklydoesitaccommodateitselftoitsnewwayof feeding.Thus aquiet soul, if provokedby thedenial or loss of someearthlycomfortordelight,quietsitself,anddoesnotfretatit,norperplexitself with anxious cares how to live without it, but composes itself tomakethebestofthatwhichis.Andthisholyindifferencetothedelightsof sense is, like the weaning of a child, a good step taken towards theperfectman,"themeasureofthestatureofthefullnessofChrist."Achildnewlyweanedisfreefromalltheuneasinessanddisquietudeofcareandfearandangerandrevenge:howundisturbedareitssleeps,andeveninitsdreamsitlookspleasantandsmiling.Howeasyitsdays;howquietitsnights. If put into a little sulk now and then, how soon it is over, theprovocation forgiven, the sense of it forgotten, and both buried in aninnocentkiss.Thus, ifeverwewouldenter intothekingdomofheaven,we must be converted from pride, envy, ambition, and strife forprecedency,andmustbecomelikelittlechildren.SoourSaviorhastoldus,who,evenafterHisresurrection,iscalled"theholychildJesus."Andevenwhenwehaveputawayotherchildishthings,yetstill"inmalice"wemust be children. And as for the quarrels of others, ameek and quietChristianendeavorstobeasunselfishandaslittleengagedasaweanedchildinthemother'sarms,thatisnotcapableofsuchangryresentments.

This is thatmeekness andquietnessof spiritwhich is recommendedtous:suchacommandandcomposureofthesoulthatitdoesnotbecomeunhinged by any provocationwhatever, but all its powers and facultiespreservedinduetemperforthejustdischargeoftheirrespectiveoffices.Inaword,putoffallwrathandangerandmalice,thosecorruptedlimbs

of the oldman; pluck up and cast away those roots of bitterness, andstand upon a constant guard against all the exorbitances of your ownpassion:thenyouwillsoonknow,toyourcomfort,betterthanIcantellyou,whatitistobeofameekandquietspirit.

THEEXCELLENCYOFMEEKNESS

Theveryopeningofthiscause,onewouldthink,wereenoughtocarryit;andtheexplainingofthenatureofmeeknessandquietnessshouldsufficetorecommendittous.Suchanamiablesweetnessdoesthereappearinitupontheveryfirstview,thatifwelookuponitsbeauty,wecannotbutbeenamoredwithit.Butbecauseoftheoppositionofourcorruptheartstothis,aswellastheothergracesoftheHolySpirit,Ishallendeavormoreparticularly to show the excellency of it, that we may be brought, ifpossible, to be in lovewith it, and to submit our souls to its charmingpower.

It is said, that a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Prov.17:27.Tremelliustranslatesit,heisofacoolspirit;putthemtogetherandtheyteachusthatacoolspiritisanexcellentspirit,andthatheisamanofunderstandingwhoisgovernedbysuchaspirit.TheScripturestellus—whatneedwemore?—ThatitisinthesightofGodofgreatprice,andwemaybesurethatispreciousindeedwhichissoinGod'ssight:thatisgood,verygood,whichHepronouncesso;forHisjudgmentisaccordingtotruth,andsoonerorlaterHewillbringalltheworldtobeofHismind;forasHehasdecidedit,soshallourdoombe,and,Hewillbe"justifiedwhenHespeaks,andclearwhenHejudges."

Theexcellencyofameekandquietspiritwillappear, ifweconsiderthecreditofit,andthecomfortofit—thepresentprofitthereisbyit,andthepreparednessthereisinitforfutureblessings.

I. Consider how CREDITABLE a meek and quiet spirit is. Credit orreputationalldesire,thoughfewconsiderarightwhatitis,orwhatisthe

rightwayofobtainingit;andparticularlyitislittlebelievedwhatagreatdealoftruehonorthereisinthegraceofmeekness,andwhatasureandreadywaymildandquietsoulstaketogaintheapprovaloftheirMaster,andofalltheirfellow-servantswholoveHimandarelikeHim.

1.Thereisinitthecreditofavictory.Whatagreatfiguredothenamesofhighandmightyconquerorsmakeintherecordsoffame!Howaretheirconduct, their valor and success criedupand celebrated!But ifwewillbelievethewordoftruth,andpassajudgmentuponthingsaccordingtoit,"hethat isslowtoanger, isbetterthanthemighty;andhethatruleshisspirit,thanhethattakesacity."Behold,agreaterthanAlexanderorCaesarishere;theformerofwhom,somethink,lostmoretruehonorbyyielding tohisownungovernedanger, thanhegotbyallhisconquests.Notriumphantchariotsoeasy,sosafe,sotrulyglorious,asthatinwhichthemeek and quiet soul rides over all the provocations of an injuriousworldwithagraciousunconcernedness,notrainsosplendid,sonoble,asthattrainofcomfortsandgraceswhichattendthischariot.Theconquestofanunrulypassionismorehonorablethanthatofanunrulypeople,foritrequiresmoretruecourage.Itiseasiertokillanenemywithout,whichmaybedone at a blow, than to chainup and govern an enemywithin,which requires a constant, even steady hand, and a long and regularmanagement. It was more to the honor of David to yield himselfconquered by Abigail's persuasions, than to have made himself aconqueroroverNabalandallhishouse.Arationalvictorymustbemorehonorabletoarationalcreaturethanabrutalone.This isacheap,safe,and unbloody conquest, that does nobody any harm; no lives, notreasuresaresacrificedtoit;thegloryofthesetriumphsarenotstained,asothersgenerallyare,withfunerals.Everybattleofthewarrior,saystheprophet,"iswithconfusednoise,andgarmentsrolledinblood;"butthisvictoryshallbeobtainedbytheSpiritoftheLordofhosts.Yes,inmeekandquietsufferingweare "more thanconquerors," throughChrist thatlovedus:conquerorswithlittleloss,welosenothingbutthegratifyingofabaselust;conquerorswithgreatgain,thespoilswedivideareveryrich—thefavorofGod,thecomfortsoftheSpirit,theforetastesofeverlastingpleasures; these aremore glorious and excellent than themountains ofprey.Wearemorethanconquerors;thatis,triumphers:welivealifeofvictory;everydayisadayoftriumphtothemeekandquietsoul.

Meeknessisavictoryoverourselvesandtherebellious lusts inourownbosoms; it is the quieting of internal conflicts, the stilling of aninsurrection at home, which is often harder than to resist a foreigninvasion. It is an effectual victory over those that injure us, andmakethemselvesenemiestous,andisoftenameansofwinningtheirhearts.Thelawofmeeknessis,Ifyourenemyishungry,feedhim;ifheisthirsty,notonlygivehimadrink—whichisanactofcharity—butdrinktohim,intokenoffriendshipandtrueloveandreconciliation;andinsodoingyoushall"heapcoalsoffireuponhishead,"nottoconsumehim,buttomeltandsoftenhim,thathemaybecastintoanewmold;andthus,whiletheangryandrevengefulman,thatwillbeardownallbeforehimwithahighhand, is overcome of evil, the patient and forgiving overcome evilwithgood;andforasmuchastheir"wayspleasetheLord,Hemakeseventheirenemiestobeatpeacewiththem."Notonlythat,meekness isavictoryover Satan, the greatest enemy of all;and what conquest can be morehonorable than this? It is written for caution to us all, and it reflectshonoronthosewhothroughgraceovercome,that"wewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood,butagainstprincipalitiesandpowers,andtherulersofthedarknessof thisworld."Themagnifyingof theadversary,magnifiesthe victory over him: such as these are the meek man's vanquishedenemies;thespoilsofthesearethetrophiesofhisvictory.Itisthedesignofthedevil,thatgreatdeceiveranddestroyerofsouls,thatisbaffled;itishisattemptthatisdefeated,hisassaultthatisrepulsed,byourmeeknessand quietness. Our Lord Jesus was more admired for controlling andcommanding the unclean spirits, than for any other cures which Hewrought.Unrulypassionsareuncleanspirits,legionsofwhichsomesoulsarepossessedwith, anddesperate,outrageouswork theymake; thesoulbecomeslikethatmiserablecreaturethatcriedandcuthimself,Mark5:5;or that, whowas so often cast into the fire, and into thewaters.Mark9:22.Themeekandquietsoulis,throughgrace,aconquerorovertheseenemies;theirfierydartsarequenchedbytheshieldoffaith;Satanisinsomemeasure troddenunderhis feet; and the victorywill be completeshortly,when "he that overcomes" shall sit downwithChrist uponHisthrone,evenasHeovercame,andissetdownwiththeFatheruponHisthrone,whereHestillappearsintheemblemofHismeekness,"aLambasithadbeenslain."AnduponMountZion,attheheadofhisheavenlyhosts,HeappearsalsoasaLamb.Rev.14:1.Suchisthehonormeekness

hasinthosehigherregions.

2.Thereisinitthecreditofbeauty.Thebeautyofathingconsistsinthesymmetry, harmony, and agreement of all the parts: now what ismeeknessbutthesoul'sagreementwithitself?Itisthejointconcurrenceofalltheaffectionstotheuniversalpeaceandquietofthesoul,everyoneregularly acting in its own place and order, and so contributing to thecommon good. Next to the beauty of holiness, which is the soul'sagreement with God, is the beauty of meekness, which is the soul'sagreementwithitself."Beholdhowgoodandhowpleasantathingit is"for the powers of the soul thus to "dwell together in unity;" the reasonknowinghowtorule,andtheaffectionsatthesametimeknowinghowtoobey.Exorbitantpassionisadiscordinthesoul;itislikeatumorintheface which spoils the beauty of it:meekness scatters the humor, bindsdown the swelling, and so prevents the deformity and preserves thebeauty. This is one instance of the loveliness of grace, "through Myloveliness," says God to Israel, "which I had put upon you." It puts acharming loveliness and amiableness upon the soul, which renders itacceptable to all who knowwhat true worth and beauty is. He that inrighteousnessandpeaceand joy in theHolySpirit, that is, inChristianmeeknessandquietnessofspirit,"servesChrist,isacceptabletoGodandapproved of men." And to whom else can we wish to recommendourselves?

Solomon,averycompetentjudgeofbeauty,hasdeterminedthat it is"aman's wisdom" that "makes his face to shine;" and doubtless themeeknessofwisdomcontributesasmuchasanyonebranchofittothisluster.WereadinScriptureofthreewhosefacesshoneremarkably,andtheywerealleminentformeekness.ThefaceofMosesshone,andhewasthemeekestofallthemenonearth.ThefaceofStephenshone,andheitwaswho, in themidstof a showerof stones, someekly submitted, andprayed for his persecutors. The face of our Lord Jesus shone in histransfiguration,andhewas thegreatpatternofmeekness. It is a sweetand pleasing air which this grace puts upon the countenance, while itkeepsthesoulintune,andfreesitfromthosejarringdiscordswhicharethecertaineffectofanungovernedpassion.

3.Thereisinitthecreditofanornament.Theapostlespeaksofitas"an

adorning" much more excellent and valuable than gold, pearls, or themost costly array. It is an adorning to the soul, the principal, theimmortal part of the man. That outward adorning does but dress andbeautifythebody,whichatthebestisbutasistertotheworms,andwillsoonbeafeastforthem;butthisistheornamentofthesoul,bywhichwearealliedtotheinvisibleworld:itisanadorningthatrecommendsustoGod,which is inhissight"ofgreatprice."Ornamentsgobyestimation:nowwemay be sure the judgment ofGod is right and unerring. Everything is indeed as it is with God: those are righteous indeed, that arerighteousbeforeGod;andthatisanornamentindeed,whichHecallsandcounts so. It is an ornament of God's own making. Is the soul thusadorned?Itishethathasadornedit.ByhisSpiritHehasgarnishedtheheavens, and by the same Spirit hasHe garnished themeek and quietsoul.ItisanornamentofHisaccepting;itmustbeso,ifitisofHisownworking;fortohimwhohasthisornament,moreadorningshallbegiven.HehaspromisedthatHewill"beautifythemeekwithsalvation;"andifthegarmentsofsalvationwillnotbeautify,whatwill?Therobesofglorywill be the everlasting ornaments of meek and quiet spirits. Thismeekness is an ornament that, like the Israelites' clothes in thewilderness,never growsold, norwill ever go out of fashionwhile rightreason and religion have place in theworld: all thewise and goodwillconsiderthosebestdressedthatputontheLordJesusChrist,andwalkwithHim in the white ofmeekness and innocency. Solomon in all hisglorywasnotarrayed likeoneof these liliesof thevalleys, though liliesamongthorns.

The same ornament which is recommended to wives, is by the sameapostlerecommendedtousall."Yes,allofyoubesubjectonetoanother:"thatexplainswhatmeeknessis; it isthatmutualyieldingwhichweoweonetoanother,foredificationandinthefearofGod.Thisseemstobeahardsaying;howshallwedigestit?animpracticableduty;howshallweconquerit?Why,itfollows,"Beclothedwithhumility."Whichimplies,1.thefixednessofthisgrace:wemustgirditfasttous,andnot leave it tohangloose,soastobesnatchedawaybyeverytemptation:watchfulnessandresolutioninthestrengthofChristmusttietheknotuponourgraces,andmakethemasthebeltthatcleavestoaman'sloins.2.Thelovelinessandornamentofit;putitonasaknotofribbons,asanornamenttothe

soul:suchisthemeeknessofwisdom;itgivestotheheadanornamentofgrace,and,whichismore,acrownofglory.Prov.1:9;6:9.

4. There is in it the credit of true courage. Meekness is commonlydespisedbythenoblemenoftheageascowardiceandlowliness,andtheevidenceofalittlesoul,andispostedaccordingly;whilethemostfuriousand angry revenge is celebrated and applauded under the pompousnames of valor, honor, and greatness of spirit. This arises from amistakennotionof courage, the truenaturewhereof is thus statedbyavery ingeniouspen: "It is a resolutionnever todeclineanyevilofpain,when the choosingof it, and theexposingofourselves to it, is theonlyremedyagainstagreaterevil."Andthereforehethatacceptsachallenge,andsorunshimselfupontheevilofsin,whichisthegreaterevil,onlyforfearofshameandreproach,whichisthelessevil,isthecoward;whilehethatrefusesthechallenge,andsoexposeshimselftoreproachforfearofsin,*he is thevaliantman.Truecourage is suchapresenceofmindasenablesamanrathertosufferthantosin;tochooseafflictionratherthaniniquity;topassbyanaffrontthoughhelosebyit,andbehissedasafoolandacoward,ratherthanengageinasinfulquarrel.Hethatcandenythebrutallustofangerandrevenge,ratherthanviolatetheroyallawofloveandcharity,howevercontrarythesentimentsoftheworldmaybe,istrulyresoluteandcourageous;theLordiswithyou,youmightymanofvalor.Frettingandvexing is thefruitof theweaknessofwomenandchildren,butmuchbelowthestrengthofaman,especiallyofthenewmanthatisbornfromabove.WhenourLordJesusisdescribedinhismajesty,ridingprosperously,thegloryinwhichHeappearsis"truthandmeeknessandrighteousness."Thecourageofthosewhoovercomethisgreatreddragonofwrath and revengebymeek andpatient suffering, andbynot loving"their lives unto the death," will turn to the best and most honorableaccountontheothersidethegrave,andwillbecrownedwithgloryandhonorandimmortality,whenthosethatcausedtheirterrorinthelandofthelivingfallingloriously,andbeartheirshamewiththosewhogodowntothepit.Ezek.32:24.

*Paulshowedmoretruevalorwhenhesaid,Icandonothingagainstthetruth,thanGoliathdidwhenhedefiedallthehostofIsrael.Ward.

Ithasthecreditofaconformitytothebestpatterns.Theresemblanceof

thosethatareconfessedlyexcellentandglorious,has in itanexcellenceand glory. To bemeek is to be like the greatest saints, the elders thatobtainedagoodreport,andwereofrenownintheirgeneration.Itistobeliketheangels,whosemeeknessintheirconversewith,andministrationtothesaints,isveryobservableintheScriptures;moreso,itistobelikethe great God Himself, whose goodness is His glory, who is "slow toanger,"andinwhom"furyisnot."WearethenfollowersofGod,asdearchildren, whenwe "walk in love," and are kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. Themore quiet and sedate we are, themore likeweare to thatGodwho, thoughHe isnearlyconcerned inalltheaffairsofthislowerworld,isfarfrombeingmovedbyitsconvulsionsand revolutions; but, asHewas from eternity, soHe is, andwill be toeternity,infinitelyhappyintheenjoymentofHimself.ItisspokentoHispraise and glory, The Lord sits upon the floods, even when the floodshavelifteduptheirvoices,havelifteduptheirwaves.SuchistherestoftheeternalMind,thatHesitsasfirmandundisturbeduponthemovableflood as upon the immovable rock, the same yesterday, today, andforever; and the meek and quiet soul that preserves its peace andevennessagainstalltherufflinginsultsofpassionandprovocation,doestherebysomewhatparticipateofadivinenature.2Pet.1:4.

Letthetruehonorthatattendsthisgraceofmeeknessrecommendit tous: it is oneof those things that arehonest andpure and lovelyandofgoodreport;avirtuethathasapraiseattendingit—apraisenotperhapsofmen,butofGod. It is thecertainway togetandkeep, ifnotagreatname,yetagoodname;suchasisbetterthanpreciousointment.Thoughtherearethosethattrampleuponthemeekoftheearth,andlookuponthemasMichaluponDavid,despisingthemintheirhearts;yetifthisistobevile,letusbeyetmorevileandbaseinourownmight,andweshallfind,asDavidargues, that thereare thoseofwhomweshallbe"had inhonor;"forthewordofChristshallnotfalltotheground,thatthey"whohumblethemselvesshallbeexalted."

II.ConsiderhowCOMFORTABLEameekandquietspiritis.Whatistruecomfortandpleasurebutaquietnessinourownbosom?Thosearemosteasy to themselveswhoareso toallabout them;while thosewhoare aburdenandaterrortoothers,willnotbemuchotherwisetothemselves.

Hethatwouldleadaquiet,mustlead"apeaceablelife."Thesurestwaytofindresttooursoulsisto"learnofHimwhoismeekandlowlyinheart."Letbutourmoderationbeknownuntoallmen,and"thepeaceofGod,which passes all understanding, will keep our hearts and minds."Quietness is the thing which even the busy, noisy part of the worldpretendtodesireandpursue:theywillbequiet—thisistheirclaim—yes,that they will, or they will know why; they will not endure the leastdisturbance of their quietness. But truly they go amadway towork inpursuit of quietness; greatly to disquiet themselves inwardly, and puttheirsoulsintoacontinualtumult,onlytopreventorremedysomesmalloutward disquietude from others. But he that ismeek finds a sweeter,saferquietness,andmuchgreater comfort than thatwhich they invainpursue."Great peace have they" that love this law of love, for "nothingshalloffendthem."Whateveroffenseisintended,itisnotsointerpreted,andbythatmeanspeaceispreserved.Ifthereisaheavenanywhereuponearth, it is inthemeekandquietsoulthatactsandbreathesabovethatlowerregionwhichisinfestedwithstormsandtempests,theharmonyofwhose faculties is like the famed "music of the spheres"—a perpetualmelody."Mercyandtrutharemettogether;righteousnessandpeacehavekissedeachother."

AmeekandquietChristianlivesverycomfortably,forheenjoyshimself,heenjoyshisfriends,heenjoyshisGod,andheputsitoutofthereachofhisenemiestodisturbhimintheseenjoyments.

1.Heenjoyshimself.Meekness isverycloselyrelated to that "patience"which our Lord Jesus prescribes to us as necessary to the keepingpossessionofourownsouls.Howcalmarethethoughts,howserenearetheaffections,howrational theprospects,andhowevenandcomposedarealltheresolvesofthemeekandquietsoul!Howfreefromthepainsandtorturesofanangryman,whoisdeprivedanddispossessedevenofhimself,andwhilehetoilsandvexestomakeotherthingshisown,makeshisownsoulnotso:hisreasonisinamist;confoundedandbewildered,itcannot argue, infer, or foreseewith any certainty.His affections are onthe full speed, hurried on with an impetus which is as uneasy as it ishazardous.Who is that"goodmanwho issatisfiedfromhimself?"Whobut the quiet man that has no need to go abroad for satisfaction, but

havingChristdwellinginhisheartbyfaith,hasinHimthatpeacewhichtheworldcanneithergivenortakeaway.Whilethosethatarefretfulandpassionate rise up early and sit up late, and eat the breadof sorrow inpursuit of revengeful projects, the God of peace gives to "his belovedsleep."Thesleepofthemeekisquietandsweetandundisturbed;thosethatbyinnocenceandmildnessarethesheepofChrist,shallbemadeto"lie down in green pastures." That which would break an angry man'sheartwill not break ameekman's sleep. It is promised that "themeekshall eat and be satisfied." He has what sweetness is to be had in hiscommoncomforts;whiletheangrymaneithercannoteat,hisstomachistoofullandtoohigh,asAhab,1Kings21:4,oreatsandisnotsatisfied,unless he can be revenged, as Haman: "All this avails me nothing,"though it was a banquet of wine with the king and queen, "as long asMordecaiisunhanged."

Itisspokenofasthehappinessofthemeek,thatthey"delightthemselvesin the abundance of peace;" others may delight themselves in theabundance of wealth, a poor delight, that is interwoven with so muchtrouble and disquietude; but the meek, though they have but a littlewealth,havepeace,abundanceofpeace,peacelikeariver,andthissuchastheyhaveahearttoenjoy.Theyhavelightwithin:asOecolampadiussaid, Their souls are aGoshen in themidst of theEgypt of thisworld;theyhavea light in theirdwellingwhencloudsanddarknessare roundaboutthem: this is the joywithwhicha strangerdoesnot intermeddle.Wemaycertainlyhave—andweshoulddowelltoconsiderit—lessinwarddisturbance, and more true ease and satisfaction, in forgiving twentyinjuriesthaninavengingone.NodoubtAbigailintendedmorethansheexpressed,when, topersuadeDavid topassby the affrontwhichNabalhadgivenhim, sheprudently suggested that hereafter "this shall be nogrieftoyou,noroffenseofheart"—notonlyso,butitwouldbeverysweetand easy and comfortable in the reflection. Such a rejoicing is it,especiallyinasufferingday,tohavethetestimonyofconscience,thatinsimplicityandgodlysincerity,notwithfleshlywisdom,butbythegraceofGod,particularlythegraceofmeekness,wehavehadourconversationin theworld, and so have pleased God and done our duty.He did notspeak the sense, no, not of the sober heathen, that said, "Revenge issweeterthanlife;"foritoftenprovesmorebitterthandeath.

2.He enjoys his friends;and that is a thing inwhich liesmuch of thecomfortofhumanlife.Manwasintendedtobeasociablecreature,andaChristianmuchmoreso.Buttheangrymanisunfit tobeso, thattakesfire at every provocation; fitter to be abandoned to the lions' dens andmountainsoftheleopards,thantogoforthbythefootstepsoftheflock.Hethathashishandagainsteveryman,cannotbuthave,withIshmael'scharacter,Ishmael'sfate,"everyman'shandagainsthim,"andsohelivesin a state of war; but meekness is the cement of society, the bond ofChristian communion: it planes and polishes the materials of thatbeautifulfabric,andmakesthemliecloseandtight,andthelivingstoneswhicharebuiltupa spiritualhouse, tobe like the stonesof the templethat Herod built, all as one stone, whereas, "Hard upon hard," as theSpaniard's proverb is, "will never make a wall." Meekness preservesamongbrethrenthatunitywhichisliketheointmentupontheholyhead,and the dew upon the holy hill. Psa. 133:1, 2. In our present state ofimperfection, there can be no friendship, correspondence, orconversationmaintainedwithoutmutualallowances;wedonotyetdwellwithangelsorspiritsof justmenmadeperfect,butwithmensubjecttolike passions. Nowmeekness teaches us to consider this, and to allowaccordingly; and so distance and strangeness, feuds and quarrels arehappilyprevented,andthebeginningsofthemcrushedbyatimelycare.Hownecessarytotruefriendship it is tosurrenderourpassions,andtosubjectthemall to the laws of it,was perhaps intimatedby Jonathan'sdeliveringtoDavidhis sword andhis bow andhis belt, all hismilitaryhabiliments,whenheenteredinacovenantwithhim.

3. He enjoys his God; and that is most comfortable of all. It is thequintessence of all happiness, and that without which all our otherenjoymentsareinsipid;forthisnonearebetterqualifiedthanthosewhoarearrayedwiththeornamentofameekandquietspirit,whichisinthesightofGodofgreatprice.Itwaswhenthepsalmisthadnewlyconqueredanunrulypassionandcomposedhimself,thathelifteduphissoultoGodinthatpiousandemotionalbreathing,"WhomhaveIinheavenbutYou?and there isnoneuponearth that IdesirebesidesYou."WeenjoyGodwhenwehave the evidences and the assurances of his favor, the tastesand tokens of his love—when we experience in ourselves thecommunication of his grace, and the continued instances of his image

stamped upon us; and this those that are most meek and quiet haveusuallyinthegreatestdegree.Inourwrathandpassionwegiveplacetothedevil,andsoprovokeGodtowithdrawfromus.NothinggrievestheHolySpiritofGod,bywhomwehave fellowshipwith theFather,morethan"bitternessandwrathandangerandclamorandevil-speaking."ButtothismandoestheGodofheavenlookwithaparticularregard,eventohim that is poor, poor in spirit, Isa. 66:2: to him that is quiet, so theSyriac—to him that is meek, so the Chaldee. The great God overlooksheavenandearthtogiveafavorablelooktothemeekandquietsoul.Yes,Henotonlylooksatsuch,butHe"dwells"withthem;notingaconstantcommunionandcommunionbetweenGodandhumblesouls.Hissecretis with them;He gives themmore grace; and those who thus dwell inlove,dwell inGod,andGod in them.Thewatersweredark indeed,buttheywere quiet when the Spirit of Godmoved upon them, and out ofthemproducedabeautifulworld.

Thiscalmandcomposed frameverymuchqualifiesanddisposesusforthe reception and entertainment of divine visits; sets bounds to themountainonwhichGodistodescend,Exod.19:12,thatnointerruptionmaybreak in;andcharges thedaughtersofJerusalem,by the roesandthehindsofthefield—thosesweetandgentleandpeaceablecreatures—nottostiruporawakeourloveuntilheplease.Song2:7.Somethinkitwas for the quieting and composing of his spirit, which seems to havebeena littleruffled, thatElishacalled for the"musician,"andthen"thehand of the Lord cameuponhim."NeverwasGodmore intimatewithanymeremanthanHewaswithMoses,themeekestofallthemenontheearth;anditwasrequiredasanecessaryqualificationofthehighpriest,whowastodrawneartominister,thatheshouldhavecompassionontheignorant,andonthosewhoareoutoftheway."ThemeekwillHeguidein judgment"with a still small voice, which cannot be heard when thepassionsareloudandtumultuous.Theangrymanwhenheawakesisstillwiththedevil,devisingsomemaliciousproject;themeekandquietmanwhenheawakes is stillwithGod, solacinghimself inhis favor. "Returnuntoyour rest,Omy soul," saysDavid,when he had reckoned himselfamong the simple, that is, the mild, innocent, and inoffensive people.ReturntoyourNoah,sothewordis—forNoahhadhisnamefromrest—perhapsalludingtotherestwhichthedovefoundwithNoahintheark,

when she could find none anywhere else. Those that are harmless andsimple as doves, can with comfort return to God as to their rest. It isexcellently paraphrased by Mr. Patrick, "God and yourself," my soul,"enjoy;inquietrest,freedfromyourfears."Itissaidthat"theLordliftsupthemeek;"asfarastheirmeeknessreignstheyareliftedupabovethestormyregion,and fixed ina sphereperpetually calmandserene.Theyare advanced indeed that are at home in God, and live a life ofcommunionwithHim, not only in solemn ordinances, but even in thecommonaccidentsandoccurrencesoftheworld.EverydayisaSabbath-day,adayofholyrestwiththemeekandquietsoul,asoneofthedaysofheaven.Asthisgracebecomesestablished,thecomfortsoftheHolySpiritgrow stronger and stronger, according to that precious promise, "Themeekalsoshall increasetheir joyintheLord,andthepooramongmenshallrejoiceintheHolyOneofIsrael."

4.It isnot in thepowerofhisenemies todisturband interrupthim intheseenjoyments.Hispeaceisnotonlysweetbutsafeandsecure;asfarasheactsunderthelawofmeekness,itisabovethereachoftheassaultsofthosethatwishilltoit.Hethatabidesquietlyunder"theshadowoftheAlmighty" shall surely be delivered "from the snare of the fowler." Thegreatestprovocationsthatmencangivewouldnothurtusifwedidnot,by our inordinate and foolish concern, come too near them. Wemaytherefore thank ourselves ifwe are damaged.He that has learnedwithmeeknessandquietnesstoforgiveinjuriesandpassthemby,hasfoundthebestandsurestwayofbafflinganddefeatingthem;morethanthat,itisakindofinnocentrevenge.ItwasanevidencethatSaulwasactuatedby another spirit, in that, when children of Belial despised him andbroughthimnopresents—hopingbythatcontempttogiveashocktohisinfantgovernment—he"heldhispeace,"andsoneitherhis soulnorhiscrownreceivedanydisturbance.Shimei,whenhecursedDavid,intendedthereby to pour vinegar into his wounds, and to add affliction to theafflicted;butDavid,byhismeekness,preservedhispeace,andShimei'sdesignwas frustrated. "So let him curse;" alas, poor creature, he hurtshimselfmorethanDavid,who,whilehekeepshisheartfrombeingtindertothosesparks, isnomoreprejudicedbythemthanthemoonisbythefoolishcurthatbarksatit.Themeekman'sprayeristhatofDavid,"Leadmetothe rock that ishigher than I,"Psa.61:2;and there I can,asMr.

Norrisexpressesit,—smiletoseeTheshaftsoffortunealldropshortofme.

The meek man is like a ship that rides at anchor—is moved, but notremoved:thestormmovesit—themeekmanisnotastockorstoneunderprovocation—butdoesnot remove it from itsport. It is a grace that, inreferencetothetemptationsofaffrontandinjury—asfaithinreferencetotemptation in general—quenches the fiery darts of the wicked: it is anarmorofproofagainstthespitefulandpoisonousarrowsofprovocation,andisanimpenetrablewalltosecurethepeaceofthesoul,wherenothiefcanbreak throughtosteal;while theangryman laysallhiscomfortsatthemercyofeverywaspthatwillstrikeathim.

Sothat,uponthewhole,itappearsthattheornamentofameekandquietspiritisaseasyasitisattractive.

III.ConsiderhowPROFITABLEameekandquietspiritis.Allareintentongain.It isforthisthattheylosesleepandspendtheirspirits.Nowitwillbehardtoconvincesuch,thatreallythereismoretobeobtainedbymeeknessandquietnessofspirit, thanbyall thistumultandconfusion.Theyreadilybelievethat"inalllaborthereisprofit:"butletGodHimselftell them,"Inreturningandrestyoushallbesaved; inquietnessandinconfidenceshallbeyourstrength;"theywillnottakeHiswordforit,butthey say, "No; for we will flee upon horses, and we will ride upon theswift." He that came from heaven to bless us has entailed a specialblessing upon the grace ofmeekness: "Blessed are themeek;" andHissaying they areblessedmakes themso; for thosewhomHeblesses areblessedindeed—blessed, and they shall be blessed.Meekness is gainfulandprofitable,asitis,

1.Theconditionof thepromise: themeek"shall inherit theearth:" it isquoted from Psa. 37:11, and is almost the only express promise oftemporalgoodthingsinalltheNewTestament.Notthatthemeekshallbeputoffwiththeearthonly,thentheywouldnotbetrulyblessed;buttheyshallhavethatasanearnestofsomethingmore.Somereadit,Theyshall inherit the land, that is, the landofCanaan,whichwasnotonly atype and figure, but to those who believed, a token and pledge of the

heavenly inheritance. So that "a double Canaan," as Dr. Hammondobserves,"isthoughtlittleenoughforthemeekman;thesamefelicityinamannerattendinghimwhichwebelieveofAdam,ifhehadnotfallen—alife in paradise, and then a transplantation to heaven." Meekness is abranch of godliness which has, more than other branches of it, "thepromiseofthelifethatnowis."Theyshallinherittheearth;thesweetestandsuresttenureisthatbyinheritance,whichisfoundedinsonship:thatwhichcomesbydescenttotheheir,thelawattributestotheactofGod,whohasaspecialhandinprovidingforthemeek.TheyareHischildren;andifchildren,thenheirs.Itisnotalwaysthelargestproportionofthisworld's goods that falls to the meek man's share; but whether he hasmoreorless,hehasitbythebesttitle—notbyacommon,butacovenantright:heholdsinCapite,inChristourhead,anhonorabletenure.*

*They inhabit the earth which they know to be theirs by the divineallotment, and theyare safebeneath thedivineprotection; this sufficesthem until, in the last day, they arrive at the full possession of theirinheritance. The furious, on the contrary, by grasping at all, loseeverything.Calv.inMatthew5:5

Ifhehasbutalittle,hehasitfromGod'slove,andwithHisblessing,andbehold all things are clean and comfortable to him. Thewiseman hasdeterminedit:"Betterisadrymorselwithquietness,thanahousefulloffeastingwithstrife.Betterisadinnerofherbswhereloveis,thanafattercalfwithhatred."Be the fare ever someager, he that has rule over hisownspirit,knowshowtomakethebestofit,andhowtosuckhoneyoutoftherock,andoiloutoftheflintyrock.Blessedarethemeek;fortheyshallwieldtheearth:sooldWickliff'stranslationreadsit—asIrememberit is quoted in the Book of Martyrs—and very significantly. Goodmanagement contributes more to our comfort than great possessions.Whatever a meekman has of this earth, he knows how to wield it, tomakearightandgooduseofit;thatisallinall.Quietsoulssofarinherittheearththattheyaresuretohaveasmuchofitasisgoodforthem,asmuchaswill serve tobear their charges through thisworld toabetter;and who would covet more? The promise of God without presentpossession, isbetterthanpossessionof theworldwithoutaninterest inthepromise.

Meeknesshasinitsownnatureadirecttendencytoourpresentbenefitandadvantage.Hethatisthuswise,iswiseforhimselfeveninthisworld,andeffectuallyconsultshisowninterest.

Meeknesshasagoodinfluenceuponourhealth.Ifenvyis"therottennessof the bones,"meekness is the preservation of them. The excesses andexorbitancesofangerstirupthosebadhumorsinthebodywhichkindleand increase wasting and killing diseases; butmeekness governs thosehumors, and so contributes very much to the good temper andconstitution of the body. When Ahab was sick for Naboth's vineyard,meeknesswould soonhave curedhim.Moses, themeekest ofmen,notonlylivedtobeold,butwasthenfreefromtheinfirmitiesofage;"hiseyewas not dim, nor his natural force abated," which may be very muchimputedtohismeekness,asameans.Thedaysofoldagewouldnotbesuch evil days if old people did not, by their own frowardness andunquietness, make them worse than otherwise they would be.Ungovernedangerinflamesthenaturalheat,andsobegetsacutediseases—driesuptheradicalmoisture,andsohastenschronicdecays.Thebodyiscalledthesheathorscabbardofthesoul.Dan.7:15,margin.Howoftendoesanenvious,fretfulsoul,likeasharpknife,cutitsownsheath,andasthey say of the viper's brood, eat its ownway out; all whichmeeknesshappilyprevents.

Thequietnessofthespiritwillhelptosuppressdepression;andthis,asotherofwisdom'sprecepts,willbehealthtothebodyandmarrowtothebones:lengthofdaysandlonglifeandpeacetheyshalladduntoyou;butwrathkillsthefoolishman.Job5:2.

Ithasagoodinfluenceuponourwealth—thepreservationandincreaseofit.Asinkingdoms,soinfamiliesandneighborhoods,warbegetspoverty.Manyaonehasbroughtafairestatetoruinbygivingwaytotheeffortsofan ungoverned anger, that savage idol, to which even the children'sportions and the family's maintenance are oftentimes sacrificed.Contention will as soon clothe a man with rags as slothfulness; thattherefore which keeps peace does not a little befriend plenty. It wasAbraham'smeekmanagementofhisquarrelwithLot thatsecuredbothhisownandhiskinsman'spossessions,whichotherwisewouldhavebeenan easy prey to the Canaanite and the Perizzite that dwelt then in the

land.And Isaac,whom I have sometimes thought to be themost quietandcalmofallthepatriarchs,andthatpassedthedaysofhispilgrimagemostsilently,raisedthegreatestestateofanyofthem;he"grewuntilhebecameverygreat;"andhissonJacoblostnothingintheendbyhismeekandquietcarriagetowardshisuncleLaban.Revengeiscostly.Hamanbidlargely for it, no less than ten thousand talents of silver. It is better toforgive,andsavethecharges.Mr.Dodusedtosay,"Love isbetter thanlaw; for love is cheap, but law is chargeable." Those tradesmen arecommonlyobservedtothrivemostthatmakethe leastnoise, that"withquietnesswork,"andmindtheirownbusiness.

Ithasagoodinfluenceuponoursafety.InthedayoftheLord'sangerthemeekoftheeartharemostlikelytobesecured.Itmaybeyoushallbehid—soruns thepromise,Zeph.2:3—ifanybe,youshall;youstandfairestfor special protection.Meekness approaches to that innocencewhich iscommonly an effectual security against wrongs and injuries. Howeversomebase and servile spiritsmay exult over the tame andhumble, yetwithallpeopleofhonoritisconfessedlyapieceofcowardicetoattackanunarmed,unresistingmanthatresentsnotprovocation."Andwhoishethatwillharmyou,ifyouarefollowersofthatwhichisgood?"Whodrawshisswordoraimshispistolattheharmlesssilentlamb?whileeveryoneis ready to do it at the furious barking dog. Thus does themeekmanescapemany of those perplexing troubles, thosewoes and sorrows andwounds without cause, which he that is passionate, provoking, andrevengeful pulls upon his own head.Wisemen turn awaywrath, but afool'slipsenterintocontention,andhismouthcallsforstrokes.It isanhonortoamantoceasefromstrife,buteveryfoolwillbemeddlingtohisownhurt.AninstanceofthisIrememberMr.Baxtergivesinhisbookof"Obedient Patience:" "Once going along London streets, a hectoring,crudefellowjostledhim;hewentonhisway,andtooknonoticeofit;butthe sameman affronting the next hemet in like manner, he drew hisswordanddemandedsatisfaction,andmischiefwasdone."Hethatwouldsleep,bothinawholeskinandinawholeconscience,mustlearnrathertoforgiveinjuriesthantorevengethem.Thetwogoatsthatmetuponthenarrowbridge,asitisinLuther'sfable,werebothindangershouldtheyquarrel; but were both preserved by the condescension of one that laydownandlettheothergooverhim.Itistheevilofpassion,thatitturns

ourfriendsintoenemies;butitistheexcellencyofmeekness,thatitturnsourenemies intofriends,whichisaneffectualwayofconqueringthem.Saul,asinveterateanenemyascouldbe,wasmorethanoncemeltedbyDavid'smildnessandmeekness."Isthisyourvoice,mysonDavid?"saidhe."Ihavesinned:return,mysonDavid."AndafterthatSaulpersecutedhimnomore. 1 Sam. 27:4. The change that Jacob'smeeknessmade inEsauisno lessobservable.In theordinarydispensationsofProvidence,some tell us that theyhave found it remarkably true in times of publictroubleandcalamity,thatithascommonlyfaredbestwiththemeekandquiet; their lot has been safe and easy, especially if comparedwith thecontrary fate of the turbulent and rebellious. Whoever is wise andobservesthesethingswillunderstandtheloving-kindnessoftheLordtothe quiet in the land, against whom we read indeed of plots laid anddeceitfulmattersdevised,Psa.35:20;37:12,14;butthosebyakindandoverrulingProvidenceareordinarilybaffledandmadeunsuccessful.Thusdoesthisgraceofmeeknesscarryitsownrecompensealongwithit,andinkeepingthiscommandment,aswellasafterkeepingit,"thereisagreatreward."

IV. Consider what a PREPARATIVE it is for something further. It is averydesirablethingtostandcompleteinallthewillofGod,Col.4:12,tobefittedandfurnishedforeverygoodwork,tobemadeready,apeoplepreparedfortheLord.AlivingprincipleofgraceisthebestpreparationforthewholewillofGod.Graceisestablishingtotheheart,itistherootofthematter,andagoodfoundationforthetimetocome.Thisgraceofmeeknessisparticularlyagoodpreparationforwhatliesbeforeusinthisworld.

1.Itmakesusfitforanyduty.Itputsthesoulinframe,andkeepsitsoforall religious exercises. Therewas no noise of axes and hammers in thebuildingofthetemple:thosearemostfitfortempleservicethataremostquiet and composed. The work of God is best done when it is donewithoutnoise.

Meeknessqualifiesanddisposesus tohearandreceive theword:whenmalice and envy are laid aside, and we are like newborn babies forinnocenceandinoffensiveness,thenwearemostfittoreceivethesinceremilkoftheword,andaremostlikelytogrowthereby.Meeknessprepares

thesoiloftheheartfortheseedoftheword,asthehusbandmanopensandbreakstheclodsofhisground,andmakesplainthefacethereof,andthen casts in "the principal wheat and the appointed barley." Christ'sministers are fishers of men, but we seldom fish successfully in thesetroubled waters. The voice that Eliphaz heard was ushered in with aprofound silence, and in slumberings upon the bed—a quiet place andposture.God"openstheearsofmen,andsealstheirinstructions."

Prayerisanotherdutywhichmeeknessdisposesusrightlyandacceptablyto perform. We do not lift up pure hands in prayer, if they are not"withoutwrath."Prayersmadeinwratharewritteningall,andcanneverbepleasingto,orprevailingwiththeGodofloveandpeace.Ourruleis,"Firstgoandbereconciledtoyourbrother,andthencomeandofferyourgift."And ifwedonot take thismethod, thoughwe seekGod in a dueordinance,wedonotseekHiminthedueorder.

TheLord'sdayisadayofrest,andnonearefitforitbutthosewhoareina quiet frame, whose souls have entered into that present sabbatismwhichthegospelhasprovidedforthepeopleofGod.TheLord'ssupperisthe gospel-feast of unleavenedbread,whichmustbekept, notwith theoldleavenofwrathandmaliceandwickedness,butwiththeunleavenedbreadofsincerityandtruth.*

*HowcanweattainthepeaceofGodwithoutpeace?Howcanweattaintheremissionofoursinswithoutremittingthesinsofothers?Howcanhe that is angrywithhis brotherpacifyhisFather,who, from the first,forbidsustobeangry?Turtel.deOrat.c.10

GodmadeagraciousvisittoAbraham,andafterthatthestrifebetweenhimandLotwasover,inwhichhehaddiscoveredsomuchmildnessandhumility. Themore carefullywepreserve the communionof saints, thefatterweareforcommunionwithGod.Itisobservable,thatthesacrificeswhichGodappointedunderthelaw,werenotravenousbeastsandbirdsof prey, but calves and kids and lambs and turtle-doves and youngpigeons, all of them emblems of meekness and gentleness andinoffensiveness; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Thisquietnessofspiritcontributesverymuchtotheconstantsteadinessandregularity of a religious conversation. Hot and eager spirits, that are

ready to take fire at every thing, are usually very inconsistent in theirprofession,andofgreatinconsistencywiththemselves:likeamanwithafever,sometimesburningwithheat,andsometimesshiveringwithcold;orlikethosethatgallopinthebeginningoftheirjourney,andtirebeforetheendofit;whereasthemeekandquietChristianisstillthesame,andbykeepingtoaconstantrate,makesprogress.Ifyouwouldhaveonefootof the compass go even round the circumference, youmust be sure tokeeptheotherfixedandquietinthecenter,foryourstrengthistositstill.

2.ItmakesusfitforanyrelationintowhichGodinHisprovidencemaycallus.Thosewhoarequietthemselves,cannotbutbeeasytoallthatareaboutthem;andtheneareranyaretousinrelationandconversation,themoredesirableitisthatweshouldbeeasytothem.Relationsarevarious,assuperiors,inferiors,andequals;hethatisofameekandquietspiritisfitted for any of them.Moseswas forty years a courtier inEgypt, fortyyears a servant inMidian, and forty years a king in Jeshurun; and hismeeknessqualifiedhimforeachoftheseposts,andstillheheldfasthisintegrity.Variousdutiesare requiredaccording to the relationship, andvariousgraces tobeexercised;but thisgraceofmeekness is thegoldenthreadthatmustrunthroughall.Ifmanisasociablecreature,themorehehasofhumanity,themorefitheisforsociety.Meeknesswouldgreatlyhelp to preserve the wisdom and due authority of superiors, theobedience and due subjection of inferiors, and the love and mutualkindness of equals. A calm and quiet spirit receives the comfort of therelationship most thankfully, studies the duty of the relationshipmostcarefully,andbearstheinconvenienceoftherelationship—forthereisnounmixedcomfortunderthesun—mostcheerfullyandeasily.Ihaveheardof a married couple, who, though they were both naturally of a quicktemper, yet lived very comfortably in that relationship by observing anagreementmadebetweenthemselves,"neverbothtobeangrytogether:"anexcellent lawofmeekness,which, if faithfullyobeyed,wouldpreventmany of those breaches among relationships which occasion so muchguiltandgrief,andareseldomhealedwithoutascar. Itwaspartof thegoodadvicegivenbyapiousandingeniousfathertohischildrennewlyenteredintotheconjugalrelation:

Doesonespeakfire?t'otherwithwatercome;

Isoneprovoked?bet'ohersoftordumb.

Andthusonewise,bothhappy.Butwherewrathandangerareindulged,all relationships are embittered; those that should be helps, become asthornsinoureyesandgoadsinoursides.Twoindeedarebetterthanone,and yet it is better to dwell alone in the wilderness, than with acontentiousandangryrelative,whoislike"acontinualdroppinginaveryrainyday."

3. It makes us fit for any condition, according as the wise God shallplease to dispose of us. Those who, through grace, are enabled tocomposeandquietthemselves,arefittoliveinthisworld,wherewemeetwith somucheveryday todisturbanddisquietus. Ingeneral,whethertheoutwardconditionisprosperousoradverse,whethertheworldsmilesor frownsuponus,ameekandquiet spirit isneither liftedupwith theone nor cast down with the other, but is still in the same poise: inprosperityhumbleandcondescending,theestaterising,butthemindnotrisingwithit;inadversityencouragedandcheered—castdown,butnotindespair. St. Paul,whohad learned in every estate "to be content, knewhowtobeabased,andknewhowtoabound;

everywhere,andinallthings,hewasinstructedbothtobefullandtobehungry,bothtoaboundandtosufferneed."Changeswithoutmadenonewithin.Itisatemperwhich,asfarasithasdominioninthesoul,makesevery burden light, by bringing the mind to the condition, when thecondition is not in everything brought to the mind. Prosperity andadversity each have their particular temptation to peevishness andfrowardness;theformerbymakingmenimperious,thelatterbymakingthem impatient. Against the assaults of each of these temptations thegraceofmeeknesswillstandupontheguard.Beingtopassthroughthisworld "byhonor anddishonor, by evil report andgood report," that is,throughagreatvarietyofconditionsandof treatment,wehaveneedofthatpatienceandkindnessandlovesincerewhichwillbe"thearmorofrighteousnessontherighthandandontheleft."Meeknessandquietnesswillfortifythesouloneachhand,andsuitittotheseveralentertainmentswhichtheworldgivesus;likeaskillfulpilotthat,fromwhateverpointofthe compass thewindblows,will shifthis sails accordingly, andknowseither how to get forward and weather his point with it, or to lie by

withoutdamage.Itisthecontinualhappinessofaquiettempertomakethebestofthatwhichis.*

*Seeknottoadjusteventstoyourwill,somuchastoadjustyourwilltoevents;thusyouwillactabecomingpart.Epict.c.13.

4. Itmakes us fit for a day ofpersecution. If tribulation and afflictionarise because of the word—which is no foreign supposition—the meekandquietspirit isarmedfor it,soastopreserve itspeaceandpurityatsuch a time, which are our two great concerns, that we may neithertorment ourselves with a base fear, nor pollute ourselves with a basecompliance.Weareusedtosaying,we"willgiveanythingforaquietlife;"I say,anything foraquietconscience,whichwillbebestsecured undertheshieldofameekandquietspirit,whichdoesnot"renderrailingforrailing,"noraggravatethethreatenedtrouble,norrepresentittoitselfinitsmostformidablecolors,buthaslearnedtoputabutuponthepowerofthemostenragedenemies;theycanbutkillthebody;andtowitnessthemostrighteoustestimonywithmeeknessandfear,likeourMaster,who,"whenHesuffered, threatenednot,butcommittedHimself toHimthatjudges righteously." Suffering saints—as the suffering Jesus—arecompared tosheepdumbbefore theshearer,no,more than that,dumbbeforethebutcher.ThemeekandquietChristian,ifdulycalledtoit,cancalmlypart,notonlywiththewool,butwiththeblood;notonlywiththeestate,butwiththelife,andeventhenrejoicewithjoyunspeakableandfullofglory.Angry,contentiouspeople,inadayofrebuke,areapttopullcrosses upon themselves by needless provocations; or to murmur andcomplain, and fly in the face of instruments, and give unbecominglanguage,contrarytothelawsofourholyreligionandtheexampleofourMaster, and therefore get more hurt than good by their suffering.Wheneverwe have the honor to be persecuted for righteousness' sake,ourgreatcaremustbetoglorifyGodandtoadornourprofession,whichis donemost effectually bymeekness andmildness, under the hardestcensuresandthemostcruelusage;sodemonstratingthatweareindeedunderthepowerandinfluenceofthatholyreligionforwhichwethinkitworthourwhiletosuffer.

5.Itmakesusfitfordeathandeternity.Thegraveisaquietplace;"therethewickedceasefromtroubling."Thosethatweremosttroublesomeare

there bound to the peace; and "their hatred and envy" are there"perished."Whetherwewill orno, in thegravewe shall lie still andbequiet.Job3:13.Whatagreatchangethenmustitbetotheunquiet, theangryandlitigious;andwhatamightyshockwillthatsudden,forcedrestgivethem,aftersuchaviolent,rapidmotion.Itisthereforeourwisdomto compose ourselves for the grave; to prepare ourselves for it, byadaptingandaccommodatingourselves to thatwhich is likely tobeourlonghome.This isdyingdaily,quietingourselves, fordeathwillshortlyquietus.

Themeekandquietsoulis,atdeath,letintothatrestwhichithasbeensomuchlaboringafter;andhowwelcomemustthatbe.Thoughtsofdeathandthegraveareveryagreeable to thosewho lovetobequiet; forthenandthere"theyshallenterintopeace,"and"restintheirbeds."

Afterdeathweexpectthejudgment,thanwhichnothingismoredreadfulto thosewhoare "contentious."Thecomingof theMasterbrings terroralongwithittothosewho"smitetheirfellow-servants;"butthosethataremeekandquietarelikelytohavetheirpleaready,theiraccountsstated,and whenever it comes it will be no surprise to them: to those whose"moderation isknowntoallmen," itwillbenoungratefulnewstohearthat"theLordisathand."Itisthereforeprescribedasthatwhichoughttobeourconstantconcern,thatwheneverourMastercomes,wemay"befound ofHim in peace," that is, in a peaceable temper. Blessed is thatservantwhomHis LordwhenHe comes shall find in such a frame. "Agoodman,"saysthelateexcellentArchbishopTillotson,inhisprefacetohisbookofFamilyReligion,"wouldbeloathtobetakenoutoftheworldreekinghotfromasharpcontentionwithaperverseadversary;andnotalittleoutofcountenancetofindhimselfinthistempertranslatedintothecalm and peaceable regions of the blessed, where nothing but perfectcharityand goodwill reigns forever."Heaven is a quiet place, andnoneare fit for itbutquietpeople.TheheavenlyCanaan, that landofpeace,would be no heaven to those that delight in war. The turbulent andunquietwouldbeoutoftheirelement,likeafishuponthedryground,inthosecalmregions.

They are the sheep of Christ—such as are patient and inoffensive—thatarecalledtoinheritthekingdom;outsidearedogs,thatbiteanddevour.

Rev.22:15.

They are thewings of a dove, not those of a hawk or eagle, thatDavidwouldflyupontohisdesiredrest.Psalm55:6.

Nowlayallthistogether,andthenconsiderwhetherornotthereisarealexcellence in this meekness and quietness of spirit, which highlyrecommends it to all that love either God or themselves, or have anysensibleregardtotheirowncomfort,eitherinthisworldorinthatwhichistocome.

LACKOFMEEKNESSLAMENTED

Andnow,havewenot reason to lament the lackof theadornmentof ameekandquietspiritamongthosethatprofessreligion,andespeciallyinourownhearts?IfthisisChristianity,howlittleisthereofthething,evenamongthosethatmakegreatpretensionstothename!Surely,asonesaidin another case, either this is not gospel, or these are not gospel-professors.Andoh,howbareandunbecomingdoesprofessionappearforlack of this adorning! When the Israelites had stripped themselves oftheir ornaments to furnishup a golden calf, it is said theywere "madenaked to their shame." How naked are we—like Adam when he hadsinned—forlackofthisornament.It iswell if itbetotheshameoftruerepentance.

Iamnotteachingyoutojudgeandcensureothersinthismatter;thereistoomuchofthattobefoundamongus:wearequick-sightedenoughtospyfaultsinothers,thetransportsofwhosepassionsweshouldinterpretfavorably.Butwehaveallcause,moreorless,tocondemnourselves,andconfessguiltinthismatter.Inmanythingswealloffend,andperhapsinthis as much as in any, coming short of the law of meekness andquietness.

WearecalledChristians,anditisourprivilegeandhonorthatweareso:

wenamethenameofthemeekandlowlyJesus,buthowfewareactuatedbyhisspirit,orconformtoHisexample!Itisashamethatanyoccasionshould be given to charge it upon professors,who, in other things, aremost strict and sober, that in this they aremost faulty; and thatmanywhopretendtoconscienceanddevotion,shouldindulgethemselvesinapeevish,contentious,andmorose temperandconversation, to thegreatreproachofthatworthynamebywhichwearecalled.Maywenotsay,asthatMahommedan didwhen a Christian prince had perfidiously brokehisleaguewithhim,"OJesus,aretheseYourChristians?"

Itisthemanifestdesignofourholyandexcellentreligiontosmoothandsoftenand sweetenour temper; and is itnotawretched thing that anywhoprofessitshouldbesouredandembittered,andlessconversantandfit for human society than others?Hewas looked upon as a very goodman in his day, and not without cause, who yet had such an unhappytemper, andwas sometimes so transportedwithpassion thathis friendwouldsayofhim,"Hehadgraceenoughfortenmen,andyetnotenoughforhimself."ThedisciplesofJesusChristdidnotknow"whatmannerofspirit theywereof," soaptarewe todeceiveourselves, especiallywhentheseextravagancesshroudthemselvesunderthespeciousandplausiblepretenseof zeal forGodand religion.But yet the fault isnot tobe laidupontheprofession,orthestrictnessandsingularityofitinotherthingswhicharepraiseworthy;normaywe think theworseofChristianity foranysuchblemish:weknowverywellthatthewisdomthatisfromaboveispeaceableandgentle,andeasytobeentreated,andallthatissweetandamiableandendearing,thoughsheisnothereinjustifiedofallwhocallthemselvesherchildren.Buttheblamemustbelaiduponthecorruptionandfollyoftheprofessorsthemselves,whoarenotsoperfectlydeliveredinto the mold of Christianity as they should be; but neglect theirornament, and prostitute their honor, and suffer the authority of theirgraces to be trampled upon. They let "fire go out of the rod of theirbranches,whichdevouredtheirfruit;"sothatthereisnomeeknessasastrongrodtobeasceptertoruleinthesoul,whichis"alamentation,andshallbeforalamentation."

Andyet,blessedbeGod,eveninthiscorruptanddegenerateworldthereare many who appear in the excellent ornament of a meek and quiet

spirit; and some whose natural temper is quick and choleric, yet havebeen enabled, by the power of divine grace, to show in a goodconversation their works with meekness and wisdom. It is not soimpracticalas some imagine to subdue these passions, and to preservethepeaceofthesoul,eveninastormyday.

But that we may each of us judge ourselves and find matter forrepentance herein, I shall only mention those instances of irregulardeportment towards ourparticular relationswhich evidence the lack ofmeeknessandquietnessofspirit.

1. Superiors are commonly very apt to chide, and that is for lack ofmeekness.ItisspokentothepraiseofHimwhoisthegreatrulerofthisperverseandrebelliousworld, thatHe"willnotalwayschide."Buthowmanylittlerulersarethereoffamiliesandpettysocietiesthathereinarevery unlikeHim, for they are always chiding. Upon every little defaultthey are put into a flame, and transported beyond due bounds; easilyprovoked, either for no cause at all, or for very small cause; greatlyprovoked, and very outrageous and unreasonable when they areprovoked. Their bearing is fiery and hasty, their language is scurrilousandindecent; theycarenotwhattheysay,norwhattheydo,norwhomthey insult; they are "such sons of Belial, that a man cannot speak tothem."Onehadasgoodmeetabearrobbedofherwhelpsasmeetthem.These require meekness. Husbands should not be bitter against theirwives.Parents shouldnotprovoke their children.Mastersmust forbearthreatening. These are the rules, but how few are ruled by them. Theundue and intemperate passion of superiors goes under the excuse ofnecessarystrictnessandthemaintainingofauthority,andtheeducationandcontrolofchildrenandservants.Butsurelyevery little failureneednotbecriticized,butrathershouldbepassedby;or if thefaultmustbereprovedandcorrected,may itnotbedonewithout somuchnoiseandclamor? Is this the product of ameek and quiet spirit? Is this the bestbadgeofyourauthorityyouhavetoputon?Andarethesetheensignsofyourhonor? Is therenootherwayofmaking your inferiors know theirplacebutbyputtingthemamongthedogsofyourflock,andthreateningthem as such? Not that I am against government and good order infamilies, and such reproofs as are necessary to the support and

preservationof it,andthosesosharpenedassometempersrequireandcall for. But while you are governing others, please learn to governyourselves,anddonotdisorderyourownsoulsunderpretenseofkeepingorderinyourfamilies;forthoughyouyourselvesmaynotbeawareofit,yet it is certain that by those indications of your displeasure whichtransgress the laws of meekness, you do but render yourselvescontemptible and ridiculous, and rather prostitute than preserve yourauthority. Though your children dare not tell you so, yet perhaps theycannotbut think thatyouareveryunfit tocommandyourselves.*Timewas when you were yourselves children and scholars, and perhapsservants and apprentices; and so, if you will but allow yourselves thelibertyofreflection,youcannotbutknowtheheartofaninferior,Exod.23:9, and should therefore treat those that are now under you as youyourselvesthenwishedtobetreated.Adueexpressionofdispleasure,somuchas isnecessary to theamendmentofwhat isamiss,will verywellconsist with meekness and quietness. And your gravity and dreadfulcomposure thereinwill contribute verymuch to the preserving of yourauthority, andwill command respect abundantlymore than your noiseandscolding.Mastersoffamiliesandmastersofschoolstoohaveneed,inthismatter,tobehavethemselveswisely,soastoavoidthetwoextremes,thatofEli'sfoolishindulgenceontheonehand,andthatofSaul'sbrutishrage on the other; and for attaining this golden mean, wisdom isprofitabletodirect.

*Nooneisfittoruleexceptheiswillingtobegoverned.Seneca.

2.Inferiorsarecommonlyveryapttocomplain.Ifeverything isnot fairtotheirmind,theyarefrettingandvexing,andtheirheartsarehotwithinthem; they are uneasy in their place and station, finding fault witheverything that is said or done to them. Here is lacking a quiet spirit,whichwouldreconcileustothepostwearein,andtoallthedifficultiesofit, andwouldmake the best of the present state, though it is attendedwithmanyinconveniences.ThoseunquietpeoplewhomtheapostleJudeinhisepistle compares to ragingwavesof theseaandwandering stars,were murmurers and complainers—blamers of their lot, so the wordsignifies.Itisaninstanceofunquietness,tobeeverandanonquarrelingwith our allotment. Those wives lacked a meek and quiet spirit who

"coveredthealtaroftheLordwithtears:"nottearsofrepentanceforsin,but tears of vexation at the disappointments theymet in their outwardcondition.Hannah'smeeknessandquietnesswasinsomedegreelacking,whenshefrettedandwept,andwouldnoteat;butprayercomposedherspirit;her countenancewasnomore sad. Itwas theunquietnessof thespiritoftheelderbrotherintheparable,thatquarreledsounreasonablywithhisfatherforreceivingandentertainingthepenitentprodigal.Thosethat are given to be uneasy, will never lack something or other tocomplain of. It is true, though not so readily apprehended, that thesullennessandmurmuringandsilent fretsofchildrenandservants,areasgreatatransgressionofthelawofmeekness,asthemoreopen,noisy,and avowed passions of their parents and masters. We find the king'schamberlainsangrywiththeking.AndCain'squarrelwithGodHimselfforacceptingAbel,wasinterpretedasangerbyGod."Whyareyouangry,andwhy is yourcountenance fallen?"The sour looksof inferiorsareascertainindicatorsofangerrestinginthebosom,asthedisdainfullooksofsuperiors; and howmany such instances of discontentment there havebeen, especially under a continual cross, our own consciences mayperhaps tellus. It is the lackofmeeknessonly thatmakes thosewhomdivine Providence has put under the yoke, children of Belial, that is,impatientoftheyoke.

3.Equalsare commonly very apt to clash and contend. It is for lack ofmeeknessthatthereareinthechurchsomanypulpitandpaperquarrels,suchstrifesofwordsandperversedisputings;thatthereareinthestatesuchfactionsandparties,andbetweenthemsuchanimositiesandheart-burnings; that there are in neighborhoods such strifes and brawls andvexatiouslawsuits,orsuchdistancesandestrangementsandshynessoneof another; that there are in families envies and quarrels among thechildren and servants, crossing, thwarting, and finding fault one withanother; and that brethren that dwell together do not, as they should,dwelltogetherinunity.Itisforlackofmeeknessthatwearesoimpatientofcontradictioninouropinions,desires,anddesigns,thatwemusthaveourownsaying,rightorwrong,andeverythingourownway;thatweareso impatient of competitors, not enduring that any should stand in ourlight,orshareinthatworkofhonorwhichwewouldengrosstoourselves;thatwearesoimpatientofcontempt,soquickinourapprehensionand

resentmentoftheleastslightofaffront,andsopregnantinourfancyofinjuries,wherereallytherearenone,ornoneintended.Theyarenotonlyloudandprofessedcontentionsthatevidencealackofmeekness,butalsothosesilentalienations inaffectionandconversationwhichmakea lessnoise; littlepiquesandprejudicesconceived,whichmenare themselvesso ashamed of that they will not own them: these show the spiritdisturbed, and lacking the ornament of meekness. In a word, willfullydoing anything to disquiet others—slandering, backbiting, whispering,talebearing,orthelike,istooplainanevidencethatwearenotourselvesrightlydisposedtobequiet.

Andnow,maywenot all remember our faults this day; and instead ofcondemning others, though ever so faulty, should we not each of usbewail before the Lord that we have been so little motivated by thisexcellent spirit, and repent of all we have at any time said or donecontrarytothelawofmeekness?Insteadofgoingabouttoextenuateandexcuseour sinfulpassions, letus rather aggravate them, and lay a loaduponourselvesforthem:"SofoolishhaveIbeenandignorant,andsolikeabeastbeforeGod."ThinkhowoftenwehaveappearedbeforeGod,andtheworldwithoutourornament,withoutour livery, toourshame.Godkept account of the particular instances of the unquietness of Israel:"Theyhavetemptedme,"saysHe, "nowthese ten times."Conscience isGod'sregisterthatrecordsallourmiscarriages:evenwhatwesayanddoinourhaste,isnotsoquickastoescapeitsobservation.Letusthereforebeoftenopening thatbooknow, for our convictionandhumiliation, orelseitwillbeopenedshortlytoourconfusionandcondemnation.Butifwewouldjudgeourselves,weshouldnotbejudgedoftheLord.Maywenotallsay,asJoseph'sbrethrendid—andperhapssomeare,astheywere,in a specialmanner called to say it by humbling providences—"We areverily guilty concerning our brother." Such a time, in such a company,uponsuchanoccasionIlackedmeekness;myspiritwasprovoked,andIspokeunadvisedlywithmy lips,andnowI remember it againstmyself.More, have not I lived a life of unquietness in the family, in theneighborhood, always in the fire of contention, as inmy element, andbreathingthreatenings?AndbysodoinghavenotIdishonoredmyGod,discreditedmyprofession,disturbedmysoul,grievedtheblessedSpirit,and been tomany an occasion of sin? And for all this should I not be

greatlyhumbledandashamed?Beforewecanputontheornamentofameekandquietspirit,wemustwashinthelaveroftruerepentance,notonly for our gross and open extravagances of passion, but for all ourneglectsandomissionsofthedutiesofmeekness.

ENCOURAGEMENTSTOMEEKNESS—SCRIPTUREPRECEPTS

Havewenot reason to labor and endeavor, since there is suchavirtueandsuchapraise,toattainthesethings?Shouldwenotlayoutourselvesto the utmost for this ornament of a meek and quiet spirit? For yourdirectioninthisendeavor,ifyouareindeedwillingtobedirected,Ishallbriefly lay before you some Scripture precepts concerning meekness;somepatternsofit;someparticular instances inwhichwehavespecialneedofit;somegoodprinciplesthatweshouldabideby;andsomegoodpracticesthatweshouldaboundin,inordertoourgrowthinthisgrace.Inopeningthesethings,wewillendeavortokeepclosetothelaw,andtothetestimony.

IfwelaythewordofGodbeforeusforourrule,andwillberuledbyit,weshallfindthecommandofGodmakingmeeknessandquietnessasmuchourdutyastheyareourornament.Wearetheretold,asthewillofGodthatwemustseekmeekness.

1.ThiscommandwehaveinZeph.2:3,anditisespeciallydirectedtothemeek:"SeektheLord,allyoumeekoftheearth—seekmeekness."Thoughtheyweremeek,andwerepronouncedsobyHimthatsearchestheheart,yettheymustseekmeekness;whichteachesusthatthosewhohavemuchofthisgrace,havestillneedofmore,andmustdesireandendeavoraftermore.Hethatsitsdowncontentwiththegracehehas,andisnotpressingforwardtowardsperfection,andstrivingtogrowingrace,togetthehabitof it more strengthened and confirmed, and the operation of it morequickenedandinvigorated,itistobefearedhasnotruegraceatall;andthat,thoughhesitseversohighandeversoeasyinhisownopinion,hewill yet sit down short ofheaven.Where there is life, onewayor other

therewillbegrowth,untilwecometotheperfectman."Hethathascleanhands shall be stronger and stronger." Paul was a man of greatattainmentsingrace,andyetwefindhim"forgettingthethingsthatarebehind,andreaching forward to those thatareahead."Thosewho tookjoyfully the spoilingof their goods, are yet told that they "haveneedofpatience."Thusthemeekof theearth—whobeingontheearth,are inastate of infirmity and imperfection, of trial and temptation—have stillneed of meekness; that is, they must learn to be yet more calm andcomposed,moresteadyandevenandregularinthegovernmentoftheirpassions,andinthemanagementoftheirwholeconversation.Theywhohavesilencedallangrywords,mustlearntosuppressthefirstrisingsandmotionsofangrythoughts.

Itisobservablethatwhenthemeekoftheearthareespeciallyconcernedtoseekmeekness,whenthedayoftheLord'sangerhastenson,whenthetimes arebad, anddesolating judgments arebreaking in, thenwehaveoccasionforallthemeeknesswehaveandallwecanget,andallislittleenough: meekness towards God the author, and towards men theinstrumentsof our trouble;meekness tobear the trial, and tobear ourtestimony in the trial. There is sometimes an "hour of temptation," acritical day when the exercise of meekness is the work of the day:sometimesthechildrenofmenaremorethanordinarilyprovoking,andthen the childrenofGodhavemore than commonlyneedofmeekness.WhenGodisjustlyangryandmenareunjustlyangry,whenourmother'schildren are angry with us and our Father angry too, there is angerenoughstirring,andthen"blessedarethemeek,"thatarecarefultokeeppossessionoftheirsoulswhentheycankeeppossessionofnothingelse.

Nowthewayprescribedfortheattainmentofmeeknessistoseekit.AskitofGod,prayfor it: it is fruitoftheSpirit, it isgivenbytheGodofallgrace,andtoHimwemustgoforit.Itisabranchofthatwisdomwhichhe that lacksmust ask of God, and it shall be given him. The God weaddress is called "the God of patience and consolation;" andHe is theGodofconsolationbecausetheGodofpatience—forthemorepatientweare, themore we are comforted under our afflictions—and as such wemust look to Him when we come to Him for grace to make us "like-minded," that is, meek and loving one towards another, which is the

apostle'serrandatthethroneofgrace.God'speopleare,andshouldbe,ageneration that "covet the best gifts," andmake their court to the bestGiver,whoneversaidtothewrestlingseedofJacob,Seekinvain;buthasgivenusanassurancefirmenoughforustobuildupon,andrichenoughforustoencourageourselveswith—Seek,andyoushallfind.Whatwouldwemore?Seekmeekness,andyoushallfindit.

Thepromiseannexed isveryencouraging to themeekof theearth thatseek meekness: "It may be you shall be hid in the day of the Lord'sanger."Though it isbutapromisewithan "itmaybe," yet itministersabundance of comfort: God's probabilities are better than the world'scertainties;andthemeekonesoftheearththathopeinHismercy,andcan venture their all upon an intimation ofHis goodwill, shall find totheir comfort, that when God brings a flood upon the world of theungodly,He has an ark for all his Noahs, His resting, quiet people, inwhichtheyshallbehid,itmaybe,fromthecalamityitself,atleastfromthestingandmalignityofit—"HID,"asLuthersaid,"eitherinheavenorunder heaven, either in the possession or under the protection ofheaven."

2.Wemustputonmeekness."Putontherefore,astheelectofGod,holyandbeloved,meekness."Itisoneofthemembersofthenewman,whichwemustputon.Putitonasarmor,tokeepprovocationsfromtheheart,andsotodefendthevitals.Thosewhohavetrieditwillsayitis"armorofproof."Whenyouareputtingon"thewholearmorofGod,"donotforgetthis.Putitonasattire,asyournecessaryclothing,whichyoucannotgowithout;lookuponyourselvesasungirt,undressed,unblessedwithoutit.Put it on as a livery garment, bywhich you may be known to be thedisciplesofthemeekandhumbleandpatientJesus,andtobelongtothatpeaceablefamily.Put itonasanornament,asarobeandadiadem,bywhichyoumaybebothbeautifulanddignifiedintheeyesofothers.PutitonastheelectofGod,holyandbeloved,becauseyouaresoinprofession;andthatyoumayapproveyourselvesso in truthandreality,beclothedwith meekness as the elect of God, a choice people, a chosen people,whomGodhassetapartforHimselffromtherestoftheworld,asholy,sanctifiedtoGod,sanctifiedbyHim:studythesegraces,whichputsuchaluster upon holiness, and recommend it to those that are without, as

beloved,belovedofGod,belovedofman,belovedofyourministers: forlove'ssake,putonmeekness.Whatwinning,persuasiverhetoricishere!enough,onewouldthink,tosmooththeroughestsoul,andtosoftenandsweeten the most obstinate heart. Meekness is a grace of the Spirit'sworking, agarmentofhispreparing;butwemustput it on, that is,wemustlayoursoulsunderthecommandingpowerandinfluenceofit.Putiton,notasalooseoutergarment,tobeputoffinhotweather,butletitcleavetous,asthebeltcleavestoaman'sloins;soputitonastoreckonourselvesnakedtoourshamewithoutit.

3.Wemust follow aftermeekness. This precept we have, 1 Tim. 6:11.MeeknessisthereputinoppositiontothosefoolishandhurtfulluststhatTimothy must flee from: "You, O man of God, flee these things, andfollowafterrighteousness,godliness,faith,love,patience,meekness."Seewhatgoodcompanyitisrankedwith.EveryChristianisinasenseamanofGod—thoughTimothyiscalledsoasaminister—andthosethatbelongtoGod are concerned to be and do so as to recommend themselves toHim,andHisreligionto theworld; therefore let themenofGodfollowaftermeekness. The occasions and provocations of anger often set ourmeekness at a distance from us, andwe have it to seekwhenwe havemostneedofit;butwemustfollowafterit,andnotbetakenofffromthepursuit by any diversion whatever. While others are ingenious andindustriousenoughinfollowingaftermaliceandrevenge,projectingandprosecutingangrydesigns,youbewiseanddiligenttopreservethepeacebothwithindoors andwithout. Followingmeekness bespeaks a sinceredesireandaseriousendeavor toget themasteryofourpassion,and tocheck,govern,andmoderateallthemotionsofit.Thoughwecannotfullyattain this mastery, yet we must follow after it, and aim at it. Followmeekness, that is, asmuch as it is in you, live peacefullywith allmen,endeavoringtokeeptheunityofthespirit:wecanonlymakeonesideofthe bargain; if others will quarrel, yet let us be peaceful; if others willstrikefire,thatistheirfault;letusnotbeastindertoit.

4.Wemustshowallmeeknessuntoallmen.This isoneof thesubjectswhichPauldirectsayoungministertopreachupon."Puttheminmindtoshowallmeekness."It isthatwhichwehaveneedtobeoftenremindedof.Meeknessisthereopposedtobrawlingandclamor,whichisthefruit

and product of our own anger, and the cause and provocation of theangerofothers.Observe,itis"allmeekness"thatishererecommendedtous,allkindsofmeekness—bearingmeekness,and forbearingmeekness;qualifyingmeekness,andcondescendingmeekness;forgivingmeekness;the meekness that endears our friends, and that which reconciles ourenemies; the meekness of authority over inferiors; the meekness ofobedience to superiors; and the meekness of wisdom towards all. "Allmeekness," is meekness in all relations, in reference to all injuries, allsortsofprovocation,meeknessinallthebranchesandinstancesofit:inthis piece of our obedience wemust be universal. Observe further, wemust not only have meekness, all meekness, but we must show it bydrawingoutthisgraceintoexerciseasthereisoccasion:inourwords,inourlooks,inouractions,ineverythingthatfallsundertheobservationofmen,wemustshowthatwehaveindeedaregardtothelawofmeekness,and that we make conscience of what we say and do when we areprovoked.Wemustnotonlyhave the lawof lovewritten inourhearts,butonourtonguestoowemusthave"thelawofkindness."Andthusthetreeisknownbyitsfruit.Thislightmustshine,thatothersmayseethegoodworksofit,andhearthegoodworksofittoo,nottoglorifyus,buttoglorifyourFather;weshouldstudytoappear,inallourconversation,somildandgentleandpeaceful, thatallwhoseeusmaywitness forusthatweareofthemeekoftheearth.Wemustnotonlybemoderate,but"letourmoderationbeknown."

Hethatisinthisrespectawiseman,lethimshowitinthe"meeknessofwisdom."Whataregoodclothesworthiftheyarenotworn?Whyhastheservantafineliverygivenhim,buttoshowitforthehonorofhismaster,andofthefamilyhebelongsto?Howcanwesaywearemeekifwedonotshowit?Theshowingofourmeeknesswillbeautifyourprofession,andwill adorn the doctrines of God our Savior, andmay have a very goodinfluenceuponothers,whocannotbutbeinlovewithsuchanexcellentgrace,whenthus,liketheointmentoftherighthand,itbetraysitself,andthehouseisfilledwiththeodorofit.

Again,thismeeknessmustbethusshoweduntoallmen—foesaswellasfriends,thosewithoutaswellasthosewithin,allthatwehaveanythingtodo with. We must show our meekness not only to those above us, of

whom we stand in awe, but to those below us, over whom we haveauthority.Thepoorindeeduseentreaties,butwhateveristhepractice,itisnot theprivilege of the rich to "answer roughly."Wemust show ourmeekness"notonly to thegoodandgentle,butalso to thecontentious;forthisisthankworthy."Ourmeeknessmustbeasextensiveasourlove,so exceedingly broad is this commandment, "allmeekness to allmen."We must show this meekness most to those with whom we mostconverse.Therearesomethat,whentheyareincompanywithstrangers,appearverymildandgood-humored,theirbehavior isplausibleenoughandcomplaisant;butintheirfamiliestheyarepeevishandfrowardandill-natured,andthoseaboutthemhardlyknowhowtospeaktothem:thisshowsthatthefearofmangivesgreaterchecktotheirpassionthanthefearofGod.Ourruleistobemeektowardsall,eventothebrutecreation,overwhomwearelords,butmustnotbetyrants.

Observe the reason which the apostle gives why we should show allmeekness towards all men; "for we ourselves also were sometimesfoolish."Timewaswhenperhapswewereasbadastheworstofthosewearenowangryat;andifnowitisbetterwithus,wearepurelybeholdentothefreegraceofGodinChristthatmadethedifference;andshallwebeharsh toourbrethren,whohave foundGodsokind tous?HasGodforgivenusourgreatdebt,andpassedbysomanywillfulprovocations,andshallwebeextremetomarkwhatisdoneamissagainstus,andmakethe worst of every slip and oversight? The great gospel argument formutual forbearance and forgiveness is, that "God for Christ's sake hasforgivenus."

It may be of use also for the qualifying of our anger at inferiors, toremembernotonlyourformersinfulnessagainstGodinourunconvertedstate,butourformerinfirmitiesintheageandstateofinferiors:werenotwe ourselves sometimes foolish? Our children are careless and playfulandfroward,andscarcelygovernable;andwerenotweourselvessowhenwewereof theirage?And ifwehavenowputawaychildish things,yetthey have not. Children may be brought up in the nurture andadmonitionoftheLord,withoutbeingprovokedtowrath.

5.Wemust"study"tobequiet,thatis,studynottodisturbothers,nortobe ourselves disturbed by others: be ambitious of this, as the greatest

honor,sothewordsignifies.Themostofmenareambitiousofthehonorofgreatbusinessandpowerandpreferment:theycovetit,theycourtit,theycompass seaand land toobtain it;but theambitionof aChristianshould be carried out towards quietness: we should consider it thehappiestpost,anddesireitaccordingly,whichliesmostoutoftheroadofprovocation.

"Lethimthatwill,ascendthetotteringseatOfcourtlygrandeur,andbecomeasgreatAsarehismountingwishes:asforme,Letsweetreposeandrestmyportionbe.———LetmyageSlidegentlyby,notoverthwartthestageOfpublicaction,unheard,unseen,Andunconcerned,asifIneverhadbeen."

Thisisstudyingtobequiet.Subdueandkeepunderallthosedisorderlypassionswhichtendtothedisturbingandcloudingofthesoul.Composeyourselves to this holy rest; put yourselves in a posture to invite thisblessedsleepwhichGodgivestoHisbeloved.Takepains,asstudents inartsandsciencesdo, tounderstand themysteryof thisgrace. I call it amystery,becauseSt.Paul,whowassowellversed in thedeep thingsofGod,speaksofthisasamystery."Iaminstructed,"asinamystery,"bothtobefullandtobehungry,bothtoaboundandtosufferneed:"thatis,inoneword,tobequiet.Tostudytheareofquietnessistotakepainswithourselves, to have in our own hearts the principles, rules, and laws ofmeekness;and to furnishourselveswith suchconsiderations as tend tothequietingofthespiritinthemidstofthegreatestprovocations.Othersarestudyingtodisquietus;themoreneedwehavetostudyhowtoquietourselves, by a careful watching against all that which is ruffling anddiscomposing.Christiansshould,aboveallstudies,studytobequiet,andlabor to be motivated by an even spirit under all the unevenness ofProvidence,andrememberthatonegoodwordwhichSirWilliamTempletellsustheprinceofOrangesaidhelearnedfromthemasterofhisship,who, ina storm,wascalling to thesteersman, "Steady, steady."Letbutthehandbesteadyandtheheartquiet,andthoughourpassageberough,wemayweatherthepoint,andgetsafetotheharbor.

SCRIPTUREPATTERNS

Good examples help very much to illustrate and enforce good rules,bringing them closer to particular cases, and showing them to bepractical. Precedents are of great use in the law. Ifwewould be foundwalkinginthesamespirit,andwalkinginthesamestepswiththosethatare gone before us to glory, this is the spirit by which we must bemotivated,andthesethestepsinwhichwemustwalk:thisisthewayofgoodmen,forwisementowalkin.Letusgoforththen"bythefootstepsof the flock," and set ourselves to follow them who through faith andpatience inherit the promises. We are surrounded by a great cloud ofwitnesseswhowillbeartheirtestimonytothecomfortofmeekness,andupontrialrecommendittous;butweshallsingleoutonlysomefewfromtheScripture.

1.Abraham was a pattern of meekness, and he was the father of thefaithful.Ashewasfamousforfaith,sowasheformeekness;forthemorewe have of faith towards God, the more we shall have of meeknesstowardsallmen.HowmeekwasAbrahamwhentherehappenedastrifebetween his herdsmen and Lot's, which, had it proceeded, might havebeenofillconsequence,for"theCanaaniteandthePerizzitedwelledthenin the land;" but it was seasonably overruled by the prudence ofAbraham. "Let there be no strife, please:" though he might commandpeace,yet for love's sakehe ratherbeseeches.Everywordhas anair ofmeekness, and a tendency to peace. And when the expedient for thepreventionofstrifewastheirpartingfromeachother,thoughLotwasthejunior,yetAbraham,forthesakeofpeace,quittedhisright,andgaveLotthechoice;andthegraciousvisitwhichGodgavehimthereuponwasanabundantrecompenseforhismildnessandcondescension.

AnotherinstanceofAbraham'smeeknesswehavewhenSarahquarreledwithhimsounreasonablyabouthermaid,angryatthatwhichsheherselfhaddone."Mywrongbeuponyou:theLordjudgebetweenyouandme."Abrahammight soonhave replied,Youmay thankyourself, itwasyour

owncontrivance;but layingasidethepresentprovocation,heabidesbyone of the original rules of the relation, "Behold, yourmaid is in yourhand."Hedidnotanswerpassionwithpassion, thatwouldhaveputallinto a flame; but he answered passion with meekness, and so all wasquiet.

Another instance of Abraham's meekness we have in the transactionsbetweenhimandAbimelechhisneighbor.Hefirstentersintoacovenantof friendshipwithhim,whichwasconfirmedbyanoath,andthendoesnot reproach him, but reproves him for a wrong that his servants haddone him about a well of water; which gives us this rule ofmeekness,"Nottobreakfriendshipforasmallmatterofdifference:"suchandsuchoccasions there are, which those who are disposed to it might quarrelabout;but"whatisthatbetweenmeandyou?"

If meekness rules, matters in variance may be fairly reasoned andadjusted without violation or infringement of friendship. This is theexample of that great patriarch. The future happiness of the saints isrepresentedasthebosomofAbraham—aquietstate.ThosewhohopetolieinthebosomofAbrahamshortly,musttreadinthestepsofAbrahamnow,whose childrenwe are as long aswe thus dowell, "andwho," asMaimonidesexpressesit,"isthefatherofallwhoaregatheredunderthewingsofthedivineMajesty."

2.Moses was a pattern of meekness; it was his master-grace; that inwhich,morethaninanyother,heexcelled.ThistestimonytheHolySpiritgives of him, that "the manMoses was very meek, above all the menwhichwereuponthefaceoftheearth."

This character of him is given upon occasion of an affront he receivedfromthoseofhisownhouse,whichintimatesthathisquietandpatientbearingit,wasthegreatestproofandinstanceofhismeekness.Thosecanbear any provocation that can bear it from their near relations. ThemeeknessofMoses,asthepatienceofJob,wastriedonallhands.Armorofproofshallbesuretobeshotat.Itshouldseemthathiswifewasnoneof the best-humored women; for what a passion was she in about thecircumcisingofherson,whenshereproachedhimasabloodyhusband;and we do not read of one word that he replied, but let her have her

saying.WhenGodwasangry,andZipporahangry,itwasbestforhimtobequiet.The lotofhispublicworkwascast "in theprovocation, in theday of temptation in the wilderness;" but as if all the mutinies ofmurmuringIsraelwere too little to try themeeknessofMoses,hisownbrother and sister, and those of no less a figure than Miriam theprophetess, and Aaron the saint of the Lord, quarrel with him, speakagainsthim,envyhishonor,reproachhismarriage,andarereadytoheadarebellionagainsthim.Godheardthis,andwasangry.Num.12:2,9;butMoses,thoughhehadreasonenoughtoresentitwrathfully,wasnotatallmovedbyit,tooknonoticeofit,madenocomplainttoGod,noanswertothem,andwedonotfindonewordthathesaid,untilwefindhimprayingheartilyforhisprovokingsister,whowasthenunderthetokensofGod'sdispleasure for the affront she gave him. The less a man strives forhimself,themoreisGodengagedinhonorandfaithfulnesstoappearforhim.WhenChristsaid,"Iseeknotmineownglory,"hepresentlyadded,"but there isone that seeksand judges."And itwasupon this occasionthatMosesobtainedthisgoodreport:"Hewasthemeekestofallthemenon the earth." "No man," says Bishop Hall, "could have given greaterproofsofcouragethanMoses.HeslewtheEgyptian,beattheMidianiteshepherds,confrontedPharaohinhisowncourt,notfearingthewrathofthe king; he durst look God in the face amid all the terrors of mountSinai,anddrawneartothethickdarknesswhereGodwas;andyetthatSpiritwhichmadeandknewhisheart,saidhewasthemeekest,mildestmanupon theearth.Mildnessand fortitudemaywell lodge together inthesamebreast,whichcorrectsthemistakeofthosethatwillallownonevaliantbutthefierce."

ThemeeknessofMosesqualifiedhimtobeamagistrate,especiallytobekinginJeshurun,amongapeoplesoveryprovokingthattheygavehimoccasiontouseallthemeeknesshehad,andalllittleenoughtobeartheirmannersinthewilderness.Whentheymurmuredagainsthim,quarreledwith him, arraigned his authority, and were sometimes ready to stonehim, he resented these provocations with very little of personalapplication or concern; but instead of using his interest in heaven tosummonplaguesuponthem,hemadeithisbusinesstostandinthegap,and by his intercession for them, to turn away the wrath of God fromthem;andthisnotonceortwiceonly,butmanytimes.

Andyetwemustobservethat,thoughMoseswasthemeekestmanintheworld,yetwhenGod'shonorandglorywereconcerned,noonewasmorewarmandzealous:witnesshisresentmentofthegoldencalf,when,inaholy indignation at that abominable iniquity, he deliberately broke thetables.AndwhenKorahandhiscrewinvadedthepriest'soffice,Moses,inapiouswrath,saiduntotheLord,"Donotrespecttheiroffering."Hethatwasalambinhisowncause,wasalioninthecauseofGod:angeratsin as sin is verywell consistentwith reigningmeekness.Nor can itbeforgotten that though Moses was eminent for meekness, yet he oncetransgressedthelawsofit.Whenhewasold,andhisspiritwasprovoked,he spoke unadvisedlywith his lips, and itwent illwith him for it, Psa.106:32; which is written not for imitation, but for admonition—not tojustify our rash anger, but to engage us to stand on guard at all timesagainst it, thathewho thinkshe standsmay takeheed lesthe fall, andthathewhohasthusfallenmaynotwonderifhecomeundertherebukesofdivineProvidence for it in thisworld,asMosesdid,andyetmaynotdespairofbeingpardoneduponrepentance.

3.Davidwasapatternofmeekness,and it ispromised that "the feebleshallbeasDavid."Inthis,asinotherinstances,hewasamanafterGod'sownheart.Whenhisownbrotherwassoroughuponhimwithoutreason,"Whydidyoucomedownhere?"howmildwashisanswer."WhathaveIdonenow?Istherenotacause?"Whenhisenemiesreproachedhim,hewasnot at alldisturbedat it. "I, as adeafman,heardnot."WhenSaulpersecuted him with such an unwearied malice, he did not take theadvantage which Providence seemed to offer him, more than once, torevengehimself,butleftittoGod.David'smeekspiritconcurredwiththeproverboftheancients:"Wickednessproceedsfromthewicked,butmyhandshallnotbeuponyou."WhenNabal'schurlishnessprovokedhim,yet Abigail's prudence soon pacified him, and it pleased him to bepacified.When Shimei cursed himwith a bitter curse in the day of hiscalamity, he resented not the offense, nor would hear any talk ofpunishingtheoffender:"Solethimcurse;lethimalone,fortheLordhasbidden him;" quietly committing his cause to God, who judgesrighteously.Andotherinstancesthereareinhisstorywhichevidencethetruth of what he said: "My soul is even like a weaned child." And yetDavidwasagreatsoldier,amanofcelebratedcourage, that slewa lion

andabear,andaPhilistine—asmucharavenousbeastaseitherofthem—whichshowsthatitwashiswisdomandgrace,andnothiscowardice,that at other timesmadehimsoquiet.Davidwasaman thatmetwithverymanydisquietinganddisturbingeventsintheseveralscenesofhislife, throughwhich, though they sometimes ruffledhima little, yet, forthe main, he preserved an admirable temper, and an evenness andcomposureofmindwhichwasveryexemplary.When,uponthesurpriseofafright,hechangedhisbehaviorbeforeAbimelech,andcounterfeitedthatmadnesswhichangrypeoplerealize,yethismindwassoveryquietandundisturbedthatatthattimehepennedthe34thPsalm,inwhichnotonlytheexcellencyofthematter,andthecalmnessoftheexpression,butthecomposingofitalphabeticallyintheHebrew—speakshimtobe,eventhen, inacalm frame,and tohaveverymuch thecommandofhisownthoughts. As at another time when his own followers spoke of stoninghim,thoughhecouldnotstillthetumultofhistroops,hecouldthoseofhis spirit, for then he "encouraged himself in the Lord hisGod." As tothoseprayersagainsthisenemieswhichwe find insomeofhispsalms,surelytheydidnotproceedfromanysuchirregularpassionasdidintheleast clash even with the evangelical laws of meekness. We cannotimaginethatonewhowassopiouslycalminhiscommonconversation,shouldbesinfullyhotinhisdevotion;noraretheytobelookeduponasthe private expressions of his own angry resentments, but as inspiredpredictionsofGod'sjudgmentsuponthepublicandobstinateenemiesofChrist andHis kingdom, as appears by comparingPsa. 69:22, 23,withRom. 11:9, 10; and Psa. 109:8, with Acts 1:20. Nor are they anymoreopposite to thespiritof thegospel thanthecriesof thesoulsunder thealtar,orthetriumphsofheavenandearthinthedestructionofBabylon.Rev.6:10;19:1.

4.Paulwasapatternofmeekness.Thoughhisnatural temperseemstohave been warm and eager, which made him eminently active andzealous, yet that temperwas so rectified and sanctified, that hewasnoless eminently meek: he became all things to all men. He studied toplease all with whom he had to do, and to render himself engaging tothem,fortheirgoodtoedification.Howpatientlydidhebearthegreatestinjuriesandindignities,notonlyfromJewsandheathens,butfromfalsebrethren, that were so very industrious to abuse and undermine him.

Howgladwashe thatChristwaspreached, thoughout of envy and ill-will,bythosethatstudiedtoaddafflictiontohisbonds.Ingoverningthechurch, he was not led by the sudden resolves of passion, but alwaysdeliberatedcalmlyconcerningtheuseoftherodofdisciplinewhentherewas occasion for it. "Shall I come to youwith a rod, or in the spirit ofmeekness?"thatis,ShallIproceedimmediatelytocensures,orshallInotrathercontinue thesamegentleusageashitherto,waiting still for yourreformation?Herethespiritofmeeknessappearsmoreopenandlegiblethanintheuseoftherod,thoughthatalsoisverywellconsistentwithit.

Manyotherexamplesofmeeknessmightbeadduced,butthetimewouldfailmetotellofIsaacandJacobandJosephandJoshua;ofSamuelalso,and Job and Jeremiah, and all the prophets and apostles,martyrs andconfessors, and eminent saints, who by meekness subdued, notkingdoms,buttheirownspirits;stoppedthemouths,notoflions,butofmore fierceand formidableenemies;quenchedtheviolence,notof fire,but of intemperate and more ungovernable passions; and so wroughtrighteousness,obtainedpromises,escapedtheedgeofthesword,andoutofweaknessweremade strong; and by all this obtained a good report.Heb.11:32-34.But,afterall,

5.OurLORDJESUSwasthegreatpatternofmeeknessandquietnessofspirit;all theresthadtheirspots,buthere isacopywithoutablot.Wemustfollowtherestnofurtherthantheywereconformabletothisgreatoriginal:"Befollowersofme,"saysPaul,"asIamofChrist."Hefulfilledallrighteousness,andwasacompleteexampleofallthatisholy,just,andgood;butIthinkinmost,ifnotallthoseplacesofScripturewhereHeisparticularly and expressly propounded to us for an example, it is torecommend to us some or other of the duties of Christianity; those, Imean, which tend to the sweetening of our conversation with oneanother.TheWordwasmadeflesh,anddweltamongus,thatHemightteachushowtodwelltogetherinunity.Wemustwalkinlove,asChristloved us; forgive, as Christ forgave us; please one another, for ChristpleasednotHimself;becharitabletothepoor,forweknowthegraceofour Lord Jesus; wash one another's feet, that is, stoop to the lowestofficesoflove,forChristdidso;doingallwithlowlinessofmind,foritisthesamemindthatwasinChristJesus;butaboveall,ourLordJesuswas

anexampleofmeekness.Moseshadthisgraceasaservant,butChristasason:Hewasanointedwithitabovemeasure.Heiscalledthe"LambofGod," forHismeekness and patience and inoffensiveness, and even inHisexaltationHeretainsthesamecharacter.OneoftheelderstoldJohnthat"theLionofthetribeofJudah"wouldopenthesealedbook;"andIbeheld,"saysJohn,"andlo,aLamb."Hethatwasalionforstrengthandcourage,wasa lambformildnessandgentleness;and ifa lion,yet "theLionof the tribeofJudah,"which thedyingpatriarchdescribes tobealiongoneupfromtheprey,andthatisstoopeddownandcouched,andnottoberousedup,Gen.49:9,indicatingthequietnessandreposeevenof this lion. If Christ is a lion, He is a lion resting: the devil is a lionroaring.ButtheadorationsgiventoChristbytheheavenlyhostsspeakofHimasaLamb. "Blessingandglory toHim that sitsupon the throne;"theydonotsay,andtotheLionofthetribeofJudah,butthe"theLamb."Though He has a name given Him above every name, yet He will beknownby thatnamewhichdenotesHismeekness, as if thiswere tobeHisname forever, and this hismemorial to all generations.AsHe thatridesupontheheavensbyHisnameJah,istheFatherofthefatherless,and the Judge of thewidows; soChrist rides "prosperously, because ofmeekness."

Now it is the characterof all the saints that they follow theLamb:asalambtheyfollowHiminHismeekness,andarethereforesooftencalledthesheepofChrist.ThisisthatpartofhiscopywhichHeexpresslycallsustowriteafter:"Learnofme;forIammeekandlowlyinheart."Ifthemaster ismild, it ill becomes the servant to be froward. The apostle isspeakingofChrist'smeeknessunderHissufferings,whenhesaysthatHe"leftusanexample,thatweshouldfollowHissteps."

Letusobserveparticularly themeeknessofourLordJesustowardshisFather,andtowardshis friends,and towardshis foes, in eachofwhichHeisanexampletous.

1.HewasverymeektowardGodHisFather,cheerfullysubmittingtoHiswholewill,andstandingcomplete in it. InHiscommandingwill, "Lo, Icome,"saysHe,"IdelighttodoYourwill:"thoughitenjoinedHimaveryhard service, yet itwas "His food anddrink;" andHe always did thosethings that pleased His Father. So likewise in His disposing will He

acquiesced from first to last. When He was entering on that sharpencounter,thoughsensestartledatit,andsaid,"Father,ifitbepossible,let this cuppass fromMe;" yetHe soon submittedwith a greatdeal ofmeekness:"NotasIwill,butasYouwill."Thoughitwasaverybittercup,yethisFatherput it intoHishand,andthereforeHedrankit:"ThecupthatMyFatherhasgivenMe,shallInotdrinkit?"

2.Hewasverymeek towardsHis friends that lovedand followedHim.Withwhatremarkableinstancesofmildness,gentleness,andtendernessdidHetrainupHisdisciples,thoughfromfirsttolastHewas"amanofsorrows, and acquaintedwith grief."Where nature is corrupt, such areapttobepeevishandfrowardwiththoseaboutthem;yethowmeeklyandcalmlydidHebearwiththeirweaknessesandinfirmities.Aftertheyhadbeenlongundertheinspectionandinfluenceofsuchateacher,andhadalltheadvantagesthatmencouldhaveforacquaintancewiththethingsofGod,yethowweakanddefectiveweretheyinknowledgeandgiftsandgraces! How ignorant and forgetful were they; how slow of heart tounderstandandbelieve!Andwhatblundersdidtheymake!Dullscholarsit should seem they were, and bad proficients. But their hearts beinguprightwithHim,He did not cast them off, nor turn them out ofHisschool, but corrected theirmistakes, instructed them in their duty andthedoctrinetheyweretopreach,bypreceptuponprecept,andlineuponline;andtaughtthem,astheywereabletobearit,asonethatconsideredtheir frame,andcould"havecompassionon the ignorant,andon thosewhoareoutoftheway."AslongasHewaswiththem,solongHesufferedthem. Mark 9:19. This, as it is a great encouragement to Christianlearners,soitisagreatexampletoChristianteachers.

Also Christwasmeek in his forgiving and passing by their unkindnessand disrespect toHimself. He was not extreme tomark what they didamissof thiskind.Whentheymurmuredat thecost thatwasbestowedupon Him, and called it waste, and had indignation at it, He did notresent it asHemight have done, nor seem to observe howmuchwhattheysaidreflecteduponHim;nordidHecondemnthemanyotherwaythanbycommendingthewoman.WhenPeterandJamesandJohn,thefirst three of His disciples, were with Him in the garden, and veryunseasonablysleptwhileHewasinhisagonypraying,solittleconcerned

didtheyseemtobeforHim,yetobservehowmeeklyHespoketothem:"CouldyounotwatchwithMeonehour?"Andwhentheydidnothaveaword to say for themselves, so inexcusable was their fault, He hadsomethingtosayforthem,andinsteadofaccusingthem,Heapologizesforthem:"Thespiritindeediswilling,butthefleshisweak."WhenPeterhaddeniedHim,andhadcursedandswornhedidnotknowHim,thanwhich—besidesthefalsehoodandperfidiousnessof it—nothingcouldbemoreunkind,withwhatmeeknessdidHebearit!ItisnotsaidtheLordturnedandfrowneduponPeter, thoughhedeservedtobe frownedintohell, but "the Lord turned and looked upon Peter," and that lookrecovered him into the way to heaven: it was a kind look, and not anangry one. Somedays after,whenChrist andPetermet inGalilee, andhad dined together as a token of reconciliation, and some discoursepassed between them, not a word was said of this matter; Christ notupbraidhimwithhisfault,norchidehimforit,nordidthereappearanyotherfruitofthefallingoutoftheselovers,butonlytherenewingoftheirlovewithgreaterendearments;whichteachesustoforgiveandforgettheunkindness of those that are for themain our true friends, and if anyoccasionofdifferencehappens,toturnitintoanoccasionofconfirmingourlovetothem.

3. He was very meek towards his enemies, that hated and persecutedHim. The whole story of His life is filled with instances of invinciblemeekness. While He "endured the contradiction of sinners againstHimself," He had a perpetual serenity and harmony within, and wasnever in the leastdiscomposedby it.WhenHispreachingandmiracleswere caviledat and reproached, andHeHimself representedunder theblackest characters, not only as the drunkard's companion, but as thedevil'sconfederate,withwhatawonderfulcalmnessdidHebearit!HowmildlydidHeanswerwithreasonand tenderness,whenHecouldhavereplied in thunder and lightning! How well satisfied, under all suchinvidious reflections, with this, that "wisdom is justified of all herchildren."Whensomeofhisdiscipleswouldhavehad fire fromheavenuponthosecrudepeople that refusedHimentertainment in their town,Hewassofarfromcomplyingwiththemotion,thatHerebukedit:"Youknownotwhatmanner of spirit you are of." "This persuasiondoesnotcome from Him who calls you." The design of Christ and of His holy

religion is to shapemen into amild andmerciful temper, and tomakethemsensiblytenderofthelivesandcomfortevenoftheirworstenemies.Christianitywas intended to revive humanity, and tomake thosemen,who had made themselves beasts. But our Lord Jesus did in a moreespecial manner evidence His meekness when He was in His lastsufferings—that dreadful scene. ThoughHewas themost innocent andthemost excellent person that ever was, who, by the doctrine He hadpreachedand themiraclesHehadwrought,had richlydeservedall thehonorsand respect that theworld could payHim, and infinitelymore;andthoughthe injuriesHe receivedwere ingeniouslyand industriouslycontrivedtothehighestdegreeofaffrontandprovocation;yetHeboreallwith an undisturbed meekness, and with that shield quenched all thefierydartswhichhismaliciousenemiesshotatHim.

Hismeekness towardsHis enemies appeared inwhatHe said to them:notoneangryword,inthemidstofalltheindignitiestheyofferedHim."WhenHewasreviled,Herevilednotagain."WhenHewasbuffetedandspituponandabused,Hetookitallpatiently;onewouldwonderat thegracious words which even then proceeded out of His mouth: witnessthatmildreplytohimthatsmotehim:"IfIhavespokenevil,bearwitnessoftheevil;butifwell,whydoyoustrikeMe?"

AlsoHismeeknesstowardsHisenemiesappearedinwhatHesaidtoGodforthem:"Father, forgivethem;"sogivinganexampletoHisownrule:"Pray for thosewho despitefully use you." ThoughHewas then deeplyengagedinthemostsolemntransactionthateverpassedbetweenheavenandearth, thoughHehadsomuchtodowithGodforHimselfandHisfriends,yetHedidnotforgettoofferthisprayerforHisenemies.

The mercy He begged of God for them was the greatest mercy—thatwhichHewas thendying topurchaseandprocure—thepardonof theirsins:notonly,Father,sparethem,orreprievethem,but,Father, forgivethem; the excuse He pleaded for them was the best their crime wascapableof:"Theyknownotwhattheydo."

Now in all these thingsourMasterhas left us an example.What is thepracticeofreligion,buttheimitationofGodendeavoredbyus?Andwhatistheprincipleofit,buttheimageofGodrenewedinus?Wearebidto

be followers of God, as dear children. But this sets the copy we are towriteafteratamightydistance, forGod is inheaven, andweareuponearth;andthereforeintheLordJesusChrist,Godincarnate,Godinournature,thecopyisbroughtamongus,andthetranscribingofit insomemeasure appearsmore practicable. "He that has seenMe," says Christ,"hasseentheFather;"andsohethatimitatesChrist,imitatestheFather.ThereligionwhichourLordJesuscameintotheworldtoestablish,beingeveryway sowell calculated for the peace and order of theworld, andbeingdesignedtorecoverthelapsedsoulsofmenfromtheirdegeneratestate,andtosweetentheirspiritsandtemper,andsotobefriendhumansociety, and to make it some way conformable to the blessed societyabove;Henotonlygavesuchpreceptsaswerewonderfullyfittedtothisgreat end, but recommended them to the world by the loveliness andamiableness of His own example. Are we not called Christians fromChrist,whom we call Master and Lord, and shall we not endeavor toaccommodate ourselves to Him? We profess to rejoice in Him as ourforerunner, and shallwenot run afterHim?Towhat purposewerewelistedunderHisbanner,butthatwemightfollowHimasourleader?WeallhavereasontosaythatJesusChristisverymeek,orelsewethathaveprovokedHimsomuchandsooftenwouldhavebeeninhelllongago;weoweittoHismeekness,towhomalljudgmentiscommitted,thatwehavenotbeforethisbeencarriedawaywithaswiftdestruction,anddealtwithaccordingtothedesertofoursins,which,ifdulyconsidered,onewouldthink should tend greatly to soften us. The apostle draws an argumentfromthatkindnessandlovetouswhichweourselveshaveexperienced,whowerefoolishanddisobedient,topersuadeustobe"gentle,showingallmeekness;" andhebeseeches theCorinthians "by themeekness andgentlenessofChrist,"asathingverywinning,andofdearandpreciousaccount.Let"thesamemind"thereforebeinus,notonlywhichwas,butwhich,aswefindtoourcomfort,stillisinChristJesus.ThatwemaynotforfeitourinterestinHismeekness,letustreadinthestepsofit;andaseverwehopetobelikeHimingloryhereafter,letusstudytobelikeHimingrace, in thisgracenow.It isacertainrule,bywhichwemustallbetriedshortly,that"ifanymanhasnottheSpiritofChrist,"thatis,ifhisspiritisnotinsomemeasurelikeChrist's,"Heisnoneofhis."Rom.8:9.AndifwearenotownedasHis,weareundoneforever.

WHENMEEKNESSISSPECIALLYREQUIRED

Theruleisgeneral—wemustshow"allmeekness;"butitwillbeusefultoobservesomespecialcasestowhichtheScriptureappliesthisrule.

1.Wemustgivereproofswithmeekness.Itistheapostle'sdirection,"Ifamanisovertakeninafault,"thatis,ifheissurprisedbyatemptationandovercome, as the best may be, if God leaves them to themselves, "youwhicharespiritual,restoresuchaoneinthespiritofmeekness."Bythespiritualman, towhomhegives thisrule,hemeansnotministersonly;doubtlessitisaruletoprivateChristians:allthathaveopportunitymustreprove, and all that reprove must do it with meekness. You that arespiritual,ifyouwouldapproveyourselvessoindeed,actuatedbytheHolySpirit, and minding the things of the Spirit, be careful in this matter.Especially letthosethatareChristiansofthehighest form,thatexcel ingrace and holiness and the best gifts—such are called spiritual, indistinction from babes in Christ, 1 Cor. 3:1—let them look uponthemselves as obliged, in a more peculiar manner, to help others; forwhere God gives five talents, He expects the improvement of five; thestrongmustbearthe infirmitiesof theweak.Thesettingofadislocatedjoint or a broken bone is, for the present, painful to the patient; but itmustbedone,anditisinordertothemakingofbrokenbonestorejoice.Nowthisyoumustdowiththespiritofmeekness,withallthecandorandgentleness and convincing evidences of love and kindness that can be.The three qualifications of a good surgeon are very requisite in areprover:namely,tohaveaneagle'seye,alion'sheart,andalady'shand;that is, to be endued with a great deal of wisdom and courage andmeekness.Thoughsometimesitisnecessarytoreprovewithwarmth,yetwemustneverreprovewithwrath,"forthewrathofmanworksnottherighteousnessofGod."

There is an observable difference, but no contradiction between thedirections Paul gives to Timothy, and those he gives to Titus in thismatter.ToTitushewrites to "reprove sharply," and to "rebukewithallauthority." To Timothy he writes "not to strive, but to be gentle;" toreprove "with all long-suffering."The reason for this differencemaybe

found in the different temperament of those they had to deal with.TimothywasamongtheEphesians,atractable,complaisantpeople,whowould be easily managed, and with them he must always deal gently.Titus was among the Cretians, who were headstrong, and not to bewrought upon except by sharper methods. Thus, in reproving, adifferencemustbemade;onsomewemust"havecompassion,andotherssavewith fear,"butneverwithanger, "pulling themoutof the fire."Orthereasonforthedifferent instructionstheyreceivedmaybefound—asGregory,oneoftheancients,assignsit—inthedifferenttemperamentofTimothy and Titus. "Titus was a man of a very soft and mildtemperament, and he needed a spur to quicken him to a necessarysharpness inhis reproofs;butTimothywasamanofamorewarmandsanguine temperament, and he needed a bridle to keep him from anintemperateheatinhisreproofs;"andthenitteachesus,thatthosewhoarenaturallykeenandferventshoulddoubletheirguardupontheirownspiritswhentheyarereproving,thattheymaydoitwithallmeekness.

Christ's ministers must be careful, while they display God's wrath, toconcealtheirown;andbeveryjealousoverthemselves,lestsinfulangershelter itself under the cloak of zeal against sin. When reproving—whoever be the reprover—degenerates into railing and reviling andopprobrious language, how can we expect the desired success? It mayprovoketocontentionandtoeveryevilwork,butitwillneverprovoketoloveandtogoodworks.Theworkofheavenisnotlikelytobedonebyatongue seton fireofhell.HasChristneedofmadmen?orwill you talkdeceitfullyandpassionately forHim?Apotiongiven toohot, scalds thepatient,anddoesmoreharmthangood;andsomanyreproofs,goodforthe matter of it, have been spoiled by an irregular management.Meeknesshidesthelancet,gildsthepill,andmakesitpassable;dipsthenailinoil,andthenitdrivesthebetter.TwicewefindJonathanreprovinghisfatherforhisrageagainstDavid;oncehediditwithmeekness:"Letnotthekingsinagainsthisservant"—againstDavid—anditissaid,"Saullistenedtohim."Butanothertimehisspiritwasprovoked:"Whyshallhebeslain?"andthe issueof itwas ill.Saulwasnotonly impatientof thereproof,butenragedatthereprover,andcastajavelinathim.Reproofsarelikelytoanswertheintentionwhentheymanifestlyevidencethegoodwillofthereprover,andaremadeupofsoftwordsandhardarguments;

thisisto"restorewiththespiritofmeekness,"andthereisagoodreasonadded,"consideringyourself;"hemayfalltoday,Imaytomorrow.Thosewhothink theystand fast,knownothowsoon theymaybeshakenandoverthrown, and thereforewemust treat those that are overtaken in afault,with the same tenderness and compassion thatwewouldwish tofind,ifitwereourowncase.

2.Wemustreceivereproofswithmeekness.Ifwedothatwhichdeservesrebuke,andmeetthosethataresojustandkindastogiveitus,wemustbequietunder it,notquarrelingwith thereprover,norobjecting to thereproof,norfrettingthatwearetouchedinasoreplace;butsubmittingtoit,andlayingoursoulsundertheconvictionofit.Ifreproofsarephysical,it becomes us to be patient. "Let the righteous smiteme, it shall be akindness,"andanexcellentoil,healingtothewoundsofsin,andmakingthe face to shine; and let us never reckon that it breaks the head, if ithelpstobreaktheheart.Meeknesssuffersthewordofadmonition,andtakes it patiently and thankfully, not only from the hand of God thatsendsit,butfromthehandofourfriendthatbringsit.WemustnotbelikethereprobateSodomites,orthatpertHebrew,Exod.2:14, that flewin the face of their reprovers, though really they were the best friendsthey had, with, "Who made you a judge?" but like David, who, whenAbigailsoprudentlyscotchedthewheelsofhispassion,notonlyblessedGod that sent her, and blessed her advice, but blessed her: not onlyhearkened to her voice, but accepted her person. Though perhaps thereprover supposes the fault greater than really it was, and though thereproofbenotgivenwithalltheprudenceintheworld,yetmeeknesswillteach us to accept it quietly, and to make the best use we can of it.Further, if indeedwe are completely innocent of that forwhichwe arereproved, still the meekness of wisdom would teach us to apply thereprooftosomeotherfaultofwhichourownconsciencesconvictus:wewouldnotquarrelwitha real intendedkindness, thoughnotdonewithceremony,andthoughinsomecircumstancesmistakenormisplaced.

You that are in inferior relations—children, servants, scholars—must,with allmeekness and submission, receive the reproofs of your parent,masters, and teachers; their age supposes them to have moreunderstandingthanyou,andtheirplacegivesthemanauthorityoveryou

towhichyouaretopayadeference,and inwhichyouaretoacquiesce,elsefarewellallorderandpeace.TheangelrebukedHagarforflyingfromhermistress,thoughshedealtharshlywithher,andobligedhertoreturnand submit herself under her hands. "If the spirit of a ruler rises upagainstyou,"andyouarechidedforafault,"donotleaveyourplace,"asaninferior;for"calmnesslaysgreaterrorstorest.""Ifyouhavethoughtevil, lay your hand upon your mouth" to keep that evil thought frombreakingoutinanyundueandunbecominglanguage.Reproofsarelikelytodousgoodwhenwemeeklysubmittothem;theyare"asanearringofgold,andanornamentoffinegold,"when"anobedientear"isgiventoawise reprover. Yes, even superiors are to receive reproofs from theirinferiorswithmeekness,astheywouldanyothertokenofkindnessandgood will. Naaman, who turned away from the prophet in a rage, yetheededthereproofhisownservantsgavehim,andwasoverruledbythereasonof it,whichwasnomoreadisparagement tohim than itwas toreceive instruction fromhiswife'smaidtowhomtogo foracureofhisleprosy.Meeknessteachesus,whenajustreproofisgiven,toregardnotsomuchwhospeaks,aswhatisspoken.

3. We must instruct gainsayerswith meekness, 2 Tim. 2:24, 25. It isprescribed toministers that they "must not strive, but be gentle to allmen,"inmeeknessinstructingthosethatopposethemselves.Theyservethe Prince of peace; they preach the gospel of peace; they are theambassadorsofpeace;andthereforemustbesuretokeepthepeace.Theapostles, those prime-ministers of state in Christ's kingdom, were notmilitary men, or men of strife and noise, but fishermen that followedtheiremploymentwithquietnessandsilence. It ishighlynecessary thattheguidesofthechurchbestrictgovernorsoftheirownpassions."Learnofme,"saysChrist;"forIammeekandlowly,"andthereforefittoteachyou.Wemust"contendearnestly,"butnotangrilyandpassionately—no,not for "the faith once delivered to the saints."When we have ever sogreat anassurance that it is the cause of truthwe are pleading, yetwemust somanage our defense against those who gainsay, as tomake itappearthatitisnottheconfusionoftheerroneous,buttheconfutationoftheerrorthatweintend.Thismeeknesswouldteachusnottoprejudgea cause, nor to condemn an adversary unheard, but calmly to statematters in difference, as knowing that a truth well opened is half

confirmed.Itwouldteachusnottoaggravatemattersindispute,nortofather upon an adversary all the absurd consequences which we thinkmaybeinferredfromhisopinion;itwouldteachustojudgecharitablyofthosethatdifferfromus,andtoforbearallpersonalreflectionsinarguingwith them.God's cause needs not the patronage of our sinful passions,which often give amighty shock even to the truth forwhichwe plead.Meeknesswouldpreventandcurethatbigotrywhichhasbeensolongthebaneofthechurch,andcontributeagreatdealtowardstheadvancementof that happy state in which, notwithstanding little differences ofapprehension and opinion, the Lord shall be one, and His name one.Publicreformationsarecarriedonwithmostcreditandcomfort,andaremost likely to settle on lasting foundations, whenmeekness sits at thestern and guides the motions of them. When Christ was purging thetemple, thoughHewas therein actuated by a zeal forGod's house thateven ate Him up, yet He did it with meekness and prudence, whichappeared in this instance, thatwhenHedroveout the sheepand oxen,which would easily be caught again, He said to those who sold doves,"Takethesethingsaway."Hedidnot let loosethedovesandsendthemflying,forthatwouldhavebeentothelossandprejudiceoftheowners.Angry,noisy,bitterarguingsillbecometheassertorsofthattruthwhichis great, and will prevail. Our Lord Jesus lived in a very froward andperverse generation, yet it is said, "He shall not strive nor cry, neithershallanymanhearHisvoiceinthestreet."ThoughHecouldbreakthemas easily as a bruised reed, and extinguish them as soon as one couldquenchthewickofacandlenewlylighted,yetHewillnotdoituntilthedaycomeswhen"Heshallleadjusticetovictory."Mosesdealtwithaveryobstinate and stiff-necked people, and yet "my teaching," says he, "willfallonyoulikerain,myspeechwillsettlelikedew."Itwasnotthewind,northeearthquake,northefire,thatbroughtElijahintotemper—fortheLordwasnotinthem—but"thestillsmallvoice;"whenheheardthat,hewrapped his face in his mantle. In dealing with gainsayers, a spirit ofmeeknesswill teachus toconsider their temper,education,custom,thepowerofprejudicetheylaborunder,theinfluenceofothersuponthem,and to make allowances accordingly, and not to call, as passionatecontenders are apt to do, every false step an apostasy; every error andmistake, no, every misconstrued, misplaced word, a heresy; and everymisdemeanornolessthantreasonandrebellion:methodsofproceeding

more likely to irritate and harden, than to convince and reducegainsayers. Ihaveheard itobserved longsince, that "thescourgeof thetonguehasdrivenmanyoutofthetemple,butneverdroveanyintoit."

4.Wemustmakeprofessionofthehopethatisinuswithmeekness."Bereadyalwaystogiveananswer"—tomakeyourdefenseorapology,sotheword is—whether judicially or extrajudicially, as there is occasion, "toevery man that"—soberly, not scoffingly and in derision—"asks you areasonforthehopethatisinyou,"thatis,ofthehopeyouprofess,whichyou hope to be saved by, "withmeekness and fear."Observe, it is verywellconsistentwithChristianquietnesstoappearinthedefenseoftruth,andtoavowourChristianprofession,whenatanytimewearedulycalledtoit.That isnotmeekness,butbasecowardice,thattamelybetraysanddeliversupanyofChrist'struthsorinstitutionsbysilence,asifwewereashamedor afraid to confess ourMaster.But theoffice ofmeekness atsuchatimeistodirectushowandinwhatmannertobearourtestimony,notwithprideandpassion,butwithhumilityandmildness.Those thatwouldsuccessfullyconfessthetruth,mustfirstlearntodenythemselves;andwemustgiveanaccountofourhopewithaholyfearofmissingitinsuchacriticaljuncture.Whenwegiveareasonforourreligion,wemustnotboastofourselves,orofourownattainments,nor reflect contemptandwrathuponourpersecutors,butrememberthat"thepresenttruth,"so it iscalled,2Peter1:12, thetruthwhich isnowtobeasserted, is thesame with the word of Christ's patience, Rev. 3:10; that is, the wordwhichmust be patiently suffered for, according to the example ofHimwho,with invinciblemeekness,beforePontiusPilate "witnesseda goodconfession."Agreatabasementanddiffidenceofourselvesmayverywellconsistwithafirmassuranceofthetruth,andaprofoundvenerationforit.

In lesser things, whereinwise and goodmen are not all in agreement,meeknessteachesusnottobetooconfidentthatweareintheright,norto censure and condemn those that differ from us, as if we were thepeople,andwisdomshoulddiewithus;butquietlytowalkaccordingtothelightthatGodhasgivenus,andcharitablytobelievethatothersdosotoo,waitinguntilGodshallrevealeitherthistothem,Phil.3:15,orthattous.Letitinsuchcasessufficetovindicateourselves,whicheverymanhas

arighttodo,withoutamagisterialsentencingofothers.Whyshouldwebemanymasterswhenwearealloffenders,Jas.3:1,2,andthebarisourplace,not thebench?Meeknesswill also teachus tomanagea singularopinion,whenwedifferfromothers,withallpossibledeferencetothemand suspicion of ourselves, not resenting it as an affront to becontradicted,buttakingitasakindnesstobebetterinformed.Normustwebeangry thatourhope is inquired into:evensucha trialof it, ifweapproveourselveswellinit,maybefoundtopraiseandhonorandglory,towhichourmeeknesswillverymuchcontribute,asitputsalusteruponand a convincing power into the testimony we bear. We then "walkworthyof thevocationwithwhichwe are called,"whenwewalk "in alllowlinessandmeekness."

5.Wemustbearreproacheswithmeekness.ReproachisabranchofthatpersecutionwhichallthatwilllivegodlyinChristJesusmustexpect;andwemustsubmittoit,behavingourselvesquietlyandwithaduedecorum,not only when "princes sit and speak against us," but even when "theabjectsgatherthemselvestogetheragainstus,"andwebecome"thesongof thedrunkard."Sometimeswe find iteasier tokeepcalminasolemnand expected engagement than in a sudden skirmish or a hastyrencounter; and therefore, even against those slight attacks, it isnecessarythatmeeknessbesetupontheguard.Ifwebeslandered,andhave all manner of evil said against us falsely, our rule is, not to bedisturbedatit,nottorender"railingforrailing;"butthoughwemay,aswe have opportunity, with meekness deny the charge, as Hannah didwhen Eli over hastily censured her as drunken: "No, my lord, I havedrunkneitherwinenor strong drink;" yetwhen that is done,wemust,withoutmeditatinganyrevenge, quietly commit our cause toGod,whowill, sooner or later, clear up our innocence as the light, which ispromisedinPsa.37:5,6;andtherefore"donotfret,"butwaitpatiently;"ceasefromanger,andforsakewrath."Mr.Dodusedtocharmhisfriendsinto silenceunder reproacheswith this: that "if adogbarksat a sheep,the sheep will not bark at the dog again." We only gratify our greatadversaryanddohisworkforhimwhenweallowthepeaceandserenityofourmindstobebrokeninuponbythereproachesoftheworld.Formetodisquietmyselfandputmyselfintoapassionbecauseanotherabusesme,isasifIshouldscratchtheskinoffmyfacetowipeoffthedirtwhich

myadversarythrowsonit.Whenreproachesprovokeourpassions,whichexciteustorenderbitternessforbitterness,wetherebylosethecomfortandforfeitthehonorandrewardwhichthedivinepromisehasannexedtothereproachofChrist;andshallwesuffersomanythingsinvain?Wealsotherebygiveoccasiontothosewhohadspokenevilofus falsely,tospeak evil of us truly; and perhaps our religion suffers more by ourimpatienceunderthereproach,thanbythereproachitself.Forwhathavewe the law and pattern and promise of Christ, but to calm our spiritsunder reproaches for well-doing? Truly those can bear but a little forChristwhocannotbearahardoranunkindwordforHim.Ifweeitherfaintor fret in suchadayofadversity, it isa signourstrengthissmallindeed.Mayitnotsatisfyus,thatbyourmeeknessandquietnessunderreproachesweengageGod forus,whohaspromised thatHewill "withrighteousness judgethepoor," thepoor inspirit,andwill "reprovewithequityforthemeekoftheearth."Hethathasbidusto"openourmouthforthedumb,"willnotHimselfbesilent.Andshallwenotlearnat last,instead of fretting and being exceedingly angry, to rejoice and beexceedinglyglad,when"wesufferthisforrighteousness'sake?"Maywenotputsuchreproachesaspearlsinourcrown,andbeassuredthattheywill pass well in the account another day, when there will be anadvantageousresurrectionofnamesaswellasbodies,inwhichprospectwehavereasonto"rejoicethatwearecountedworthytosuffershameforHisname;" thatwearehonored tobedishonored forHimwho foroursakesenduredthecrossanddespisedtheshame.Itisoneofthelawsofmeeknesstodespisebeingdespised.

ARGUMENTSFORMEEKNESS

For the good government of the soul, the judgmentmust be furnishedwith proper dictates, or else it will never be able to keep peace in theaffections;theemotionsofthesoularethenlikelytobeevenandregularandconstant,whenwehaveestablishedgoodprinciplesbywhichwearegoverned,andundertheinfluenceofwhichweact.Weshallselectafewtruths,outofmanywhichmightbementioned,properforuseasthereis

occasion.

1. He who is master of his own passions has the sweetest and surestpeace.Thecomfortthatamanhasingoverninghimselfismuchgreaterthan he could have in having people to serve him, and nations to bowdowntohim.It iscertaintheworstenemieswehave, ifevertheybreakloose and get head, are in our own bosoms. Enemies without threatenonlytheevilofpain;theycanbutkillthebody,andnogreathurtinthatas a child of God, if they do not provoke the enemieswithin, our ownirregularpassions,which,iftheyarenotkeptunder,plungeusintheevilofsin.Aninvasionfromabroaddoesnotdisturbthepeaceofakingdomas much as an insurrection at home; and therefore it concerns us todoubleourguardwhereourdangerisgreatest;andaboveallkeepings,tokeepourhearts,thatnopassionbeallowedtostirwithoutagoodreasonto be given for it, and a good use to bemade of it; and then if we betroubledoneveryside,yetnotdistressed;perplexed,yetnotindespair,2Cor. 4:8, 9; offended by our fellow-servants, but not offending ourMaster;reproachedbyourneighbors,butnotbyourownconsciences—this is likeZion'speace,peacewithinthewalls.Weneedtoprayasonedid,Lord,delivermefromthatillman,myownself,andthenIamsafeenough.The luststhat"war inourmembers"aretheenemiesthat"waragainstthesoul."Ifthiswarisbroughttoagoodissue,andthoseenemiessuppressed,whateverotherdisturbancesaregiven,peace is in thesoul,withgraceandmercyfromGod,andfromtheLordJesus.Nehemiahwasawareofthis,asthedesignofhisenemies,whentheyhiredapretendedprophettogiveanalarm,andtoadvisehimmeanlytoshiftforhimself;itwas,sayshe,"thatIshouldbeafraid,anddoso,andsin."Whateverwelose, we shall not lose our peace, if we do but keep our integrity;therefore,insteadofbeingsolicitoustosubdueourenemiesthatlaysiegeto us, let us double our watch against the traitors within the garrison,from whom especially our danger is: since we cannot prevent theshooting of the fiery darts, let us have our shield ready with which toquenchthem.Ifwewouldnothurtourselves,blessedbeGod,noenemyin the world can hurt us. Let us but keep the peace within by thegoverningofourownpassions,andthen,whateverassaultsmaybemadeuponus,wemay therein,with the daughter of Zion, despise them andlaugh them to scorn, and shake our head at them. Isa. 37:22. Let us

believethatintimesofagitationandalarmourstrengthistositstill,inaholyquietnessandcomposureofmind:"this is therestwithwhichyoumaycausethewearytorest;andthisistherefreshing;"anditisenough.

2.Inmanythingswealloffend.Wehavethistruthasareasonwhynotmany of us should be masters. Jas. 3:2. It would help to subdue andmoderateourangerattheoffensesofothers,ifweconsidered,

1. That it is incident to human nature to offend.While we are in thisworld,wemustnotexpecttoconversewithangels,orthespiritsof justmen made perfect; no, we are obliged to have a communication withcreatures that are foolishandcorrupt,peevishandprovoking, andwhoareallsubjecttolikepassions:suchasthesewemustliveamong,orelsewewouldhavetogooutoftheworld.Anddowenothavereasonthentocount upon something or other uneasy and displeasing in all relationsandconditions?Thebestmenhavetheirdefects inthis imperfectstate;thosewhoare savinglyenlightened, yetknowingbut inpart,have theirblind side; the harmony, even of the communion of the saints, willsometimes be disturbed with jarring strings; why then should we besurprised into passion and disquiet, when that which gives us thedisturbanceisnomorethanwhatwelookedfor?Insteadofbeingangry,we should think with ourselves thus: Alas, what could I expect butprovocationfromcorruptandfallenman?Amongsuchfoolishcreaturesasweare,itmustbethatoffenseswillcome;andwhyshouldnotIhavemy share of them? The God of heaven gives this as a reason for Hispatience towards a provoking world, that it is in their nature to beprovoking:"Iwillnotagaincursethegroundanymoreforman'ssake;forthe imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth," and thereforebetter is not to be expected from him. And upon this account He hadcompassion on Israel. Psa. 78:39. "He remembered that they were butflesh;"notonlyfrailcreatures,butsinful,andbenttobackslide.Domengather grapes from thorns? "I knew that you would deal verytreacherously,andwascalledatransgressorfromthewomb."Andshouldnotwe,muchmore,begovernedbythesameconsideration?"Ifyouseethe violent perverting judgment and justice in a province," rememberwhataprovokingcreaturesinfulmanis,andthenyouwillnotmarvelatthematter.Theconsiderationofthecommoninfirmityandcorruptionof

mankind should be made use of, not to excuse our own faults toourselves,whichmerelytakesoff theedgeofourrepentance,andis thepoorsubterfugeofadeceivedheart;buttoexcusethefaultsofothers,andso take off the edge of our passion and displeasure, and preserve themeeknessandquietnessofourownspirits.

2.It is incidenttoourselvesamongtheresttooffend.Theapostleputshimselfintothenumber:Wealloffend.WeoffendGod;ifwesaywedonot,wedeceiveourselves;andyetHebearswithusfromdaytoday,andisnotextremetomarkwhatwedoamiss.OurdebtstoHimaretalents,ourbrethren'stousbutpence.Thinkthen,ifGodshouldwereasangrywithmeforeveryprovocation,asIamwiththoseaboutme,whatwouldbecomeofme?Theyarecarelessintheirobservance,andperhapswillfulintheiroffense,andamnotIsotoGod?yes,amnotIathousandtimesworse?Jobsaid,whenhisservantswereprovoking,andhewastemptedto be harshwith them, "What then shall I dowhenGod rises up? andwhenHevisits,whatshallIanswerHim?"

And are we not also likely to offend our brethren? Either we haveoffended,ormayoffend;weneedotherstobearwithus,andwhyshouldwenotbearwiththem?Ourruleis,Whatwewouldthatmenshoulddotouswhenweoffend them, the sameweshoulddo to themwhen theyoffend us; for this is the law and the prophets. Matt. 7:12. Solomonappeals to our consciences: "For many times also your own heart hasknownthatevenyouhavecursedothers."Thepenitentremembranceofformer guilt would greatly help to curb the passionate resentment ofpresenttrouble.Whentheundutiful,rebelliousson,inastorythatIonceread, dragged his father by the hair of the head to the house door, itappeasedtheangeroftheoldmantoremember, that justsofarhehaddraggedhisfather;anditseemstohavesilencedAdonibezek,thathewasnowtreatednodifferentlythanhehadtreatedothers.Judges1:7.

3.MenareGod's hand; so it is said, Psa. 17:14: "Frommenwhich areYour hand, O Lord," or rather tools in Your hand; which are "Yoursword."Wemustabidebythisprinciple,thatwhateverit isthatcrossesus,orisdispleasingtousatanytime,Godhasanoverrulinghandinit.David was governed by this principle when he bore Shimei's spitefulreproacheswithsuchinvinciblepatience:"Solethimcurse,becausethe

Lord has said to him, Curse David." Let him alone, for the Lord hasbidden him. This consideration will not only silence our murmuringsagainstGod,theauthor,butallourquarrelswithmen,theinstrumentsoftroubleandvexation.Men'sreproachesareGod'srebukes;andwhoeverheiswhoaffrontsme,Imustsee,andsay,thatbythismyFathercorrectsme. This quieted the spirit of Job, in reference to the injuries of theChaldeansandSabeans, thoughhedweltasaking inthearmy;andhispower and interest seem to have been sustained when those intrudersfirstmadethatinroaduponhim,andsohecouldnotbutseehishelpinthe gate; yetwe find him notmeditating any revenge, but calming thedisturbances of his own soulwith the consideration of God's sovereigndisposal,overlookingalltheinstrumentsofhistrouble,thoughtsofwhichwould but havemingled anger, the more disquieting passion, with hissorrow;thisthereforesufficestostillthestorm."TheLordgave,andtheLord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." When hisbrethren stood aloof from him, his kindred and his friends lookedscornfullyuponhimasanalien;and insteadofoil,pouredvinegar intohiswounds,sothathiseyecontinuedinthisprovocation;yeteveninthatpartofhistroubleheownsthehandofGod:"Hehasputmybrethrenfarfromme."Itisaveryquietingtruth—theLordhelpustomixfaithwithit—thateverycreatureisthattous,andnomore,thatGodmakesittobe;and thatwhilemany seek the ruler's favor, andmore perhaps fear theruler's displeasure, every man's judgement proceeds from the Lord.Wouldwebutmorecloselyobserve,andreadilyownthehandofGodinthat which disquiets and provokes us, surely, though we regarded notman,yet,ifwehadanyfearofGodbeforeoureyes,thatwouldreconcileusbetter to it,andsuppressall intemperateandundueresentments. Inmurmuringatthestone,wereflectuponthehandthatthrowsit,andlayourselves under the woe pronounced against him that strives with hisMaker.Weknowitisinterpretedasatakinguparmsagainsttheking,ifwetakeuparmsagainstanythatarecommissionedbyhim.

4.Thereisnoprovocationgivenusatanytimebut,ifitbeskillfullyandgraciously improved, good may be gotten by it. If we have but thatwisdom of the prudent which is to understand his way, and all theadvantagesandopportunitiesof it,doubtlesswemay,quite contrary totheintentionofthosewhotrespassagainstus,gainsomespiritual,that

is, some real benefit to our souls, by the injuries and offenses that aredone tous: for even thesearemade towork together forgood to thosewho love God. This is a holy and a happy way of opposing ouradversaries, and resisting evil. It is an illweed indeedout ofwhich thespiritual bee cannot extract something profitable, and for its purpose.Whateverlionroarsagainstus,letusbutgooninthestrengthandspiritoftheLord,asSamsondid,andwemaynotonlyrenditasakid,sothatitshalldousno realharm,butwemaybesidesget foodoutof theeater,andsweetnessoutofthestrong.Asitturnstotheunspeakableprejudiceof many, that they look upon reproofs as reproaches, and treat themaccordingly with anger and displeasure; so it would turn to ourunspeakableadvantageifwecouldbutlearntocallreproachesreproofs,andmakeuse of themas such for our conviction andhumiliation: andthusthereproachofChristmaybecometruerichestous,greaterthanthetreasuresofEgypt.

Wearetoldofanapostatethatwascuredwiththethrustofanenemy'ssword;andofonethatwashappilyconvertedfromdrunkennessbybeingcalled, in reproach, "a tippler." It is very possible that we may beenlightened,orhumbled,orreformed;maybebroughtnearertoGod,orweanedfromtheworld;maybefurnishedwithmatterforrepentanceorprayeror praise, by the injuries that are done to us, andmaybemuchfurtheredinourwaytoheavenbythatwhichwasintendedforanaffrontor provocation. This principle would put another aspect upon injuriesandunkindness,andwouldquitechangetheircharacter,andteachustocall them by another name: whatever the subordinate instrumentintended,Goddesignedit,asourotherafflictions,toyieldthepeaceablefruit of righteousness; so that, instead of being angry at the man thatmeant us ill,we should rather be thankful to theGod that intendedusgood,andstudytoanswerhisintention.ThiskeptJosephingoodtempertowards his brethren, though he had occasion enough to quarrel withthem: "You thought evil against me, but Godmeant it for good." ThissatisfiedPaul—inreferencetothethornintheflesh,thatis,thecalamitiesandoppositionsof the falseapostles,which touchedhimmore sensiblythanalltheeffortsofpersecutingrage—thatitwasintendedtohidepridefromhim,lestheshouldbe"exaltedabovemeasurewiththeabundanceofrevelations;"andthereseemstobeaninstanceofthegoodeffectithad

uponhimimmediatelyuponthementionofit,forwithinafewlinesafter,heletsfallthathumbleword,"Iamnothing."Weshouldbeapttothinktoohighlyof ourselves, and tookindlyof theworld, ifwedidnotmeetwithsomeinjuriesandcontempt,bywhichwearetaughttoceasefromman.Ifwewouldmorecarefullystudytheimprovementofaninjury,weshouldnotbesoapttodesiretorevengeit.

5.What is saidanddone inhaste, is likely tobematter for deliberaterepentance.WefindDavidoftenrememberingwithregretwhathesaidinhaste,particularlyoneangrywordhehadsaidinthedayofhisdistressandtrouble,whichseemedtoreflectuponSamuel,and indeeduponallthathadgivenhimanyencouragementtohopeforthekingdom:"Isaidinmyhaste,Allmenare liars;" and thishastywordwas a grief to himlongafter."Hethathurrieswithhisfeetsins."Whenamanistransportedbypassion intoany impropriety,wecommonlyqualify itwith this, that"heisalittlehasty,"asiftherewerenoharminthat;butweseethereisharm in it: he that is in hastemay contractmuch guilt in a little time.Whatwesayordounadvisedlywhenwearehot,wemustunsayorundoagainwhenwe are cool, or doworse.Nowwhowouldwillfully do thatwhich,soonerorlater,hemustrepentof?Aheathenthatwastemptedtoachargeablesin,couldresistthetemptationwiththisconsideration,that"he would not buy repentance so dear." Is repentance such a pleasantworkthatweshouldso industriously"treasureupuntoourselveswrathagainstthedayofwrath,"eitherthedayofGod'swrathagainstus,orourown against ourselves? You little think what a torrent of self-afflictionyou let in, when you let the reins loose to an immoderate ungovernedpassion. You are angry at others and reproach them, and are ready toabhor them and to revenge yourselves upon them, and your corruptnaturetakesastrangekindofpleasureinthis.Butdoyouknowthatallthis will at last rebound upon yourselves, and return into your ownbosom?Eitherhereorinaworseplaceyoumustrepentofallthis;thatis,youmustturnall thesepassionsuponyourselves;youmustbeangryatyourselves,andreproachyourselves,andcallyourselvesfools,andabhoryourselves,andsmiteuponyourownbreasts;yes,and ifGodgivesyougrace,takeaholyrevengeuponyourselves,whichisreckonedamongtheproductsofgodlysorrow,2Cor.7:11;andwhatcanbemoreuneasythanallthis?Youtakegreatlibertyinscoldingthosethatyouhaveunderyour

power, and uttering perhaps abusive language, because you know theydarenot chideyouagain;butdarenot yourownhearts smiteyou, andyourconscienceschideyou?And is itnoteasier tobear the chidingsofany man in the world, which may either be avoided, or answered, orslighted, than tobear the reproachesofourownconsciences,which, aswecannotavoidhearing,sowecannottriflewith;forwhenconscienceisawake,itwillbeheard,andwilltellushomewherein"weareverilyguiltyconcerningourbrother."Letthisthoughtthereforequietourspiritswhenthey begin to be tumultuous, that hereby we shall but make work forrepentance;whereas,onthecontrary,asAbigailsuggestedtoDavid,thebearing and forgiving of an injury will be no trouble or grief of mindafterwards.Letwisdomandgracethereforedowhattimewilldo;thatis,coolourheat,andtakeofftheedgeofourresentment.

6.ThatistrulybestforuswhichismostpleasingandacceptabletoGod,andameekandquietspirit isso.NoprinciplehassuchacommandinginfluenceuponthesoulasthatwhichhasaregardtoGod,andwhereinwe approve ourselves toHim. It was a good hint which the woman ofTekoah gave to David, when she was suing for a merciful sentence:"PleaseletthekingremembertheLordyourGod;"norcouldanythoughtbemoreappeasingthanthat.Rememberhowgraciousandmercifulandpatient God is; how slow to anger, how ready forgive, and how wellpleasedHeistoseeHispeopleresembleHim:remembertheeyeofyourGoduponyou, the loveofyourGod towardsyou,and thegloryofyourGod set before you. Remember how much it is your concern to beaccepted byGod, and towalkworthy of your relation toHim, unto allwell-pleasing; and how much meekness and quietness of spiritcontributestothis,asitisconsonanttothatexcellentreligionwhichourLordJesushasestablished,andasitrenderstheheartafithabitationfortheblessedSpirit: "This is goodandacceptable in the sight ofGodourSavior,"toleada"quietandpeaceablelife."It isagoodevidenceofourreconciliation to God, if we be cordially reconciled to every tryingprovidence, which necessarily includes a meek behavior towards thosewho are any way instrumental in it. Very excellently does St. AustinremarkonPsalm122:ThosepleaseGodwhoarepleasedwithHim,andwithallHedoes,whetherimmediatelybyHisownhand,ormediatelybytheagencyofprovoking, injuriousmen.This isstandingcomplete inall

thewillofGod,notonlyHiscommanding,butHisdisposingwill,sayingwithout reluctance,Thewill of the Lord be done.He that acts from anhonestprincipleofrespecttoGod,andsincerelydesirestobeacceptedofHim,cannotbutbeinsomemeasureadornedwiththatmeekandquietspiritwhichheknowstobeinthesightofGodofgreatprice.

Suchasthesearesofteningprinciples,andasmanyaswalkaccordingtotheserules,peaceshallbeuponthem,andmercy;andnodoubtitshallbeupontheIsraelofGod.

SOMERULESOFDIRECTION

Thelawsofourholyreligionaresofarfromclashingandinterfering,thatoneChristiandutyverymuchfurthersandpromotesanother.ThefruitsoftheSpiritarelikelinksinachain—onedrawsonanother;anditissointhis;manyothergracescontributetotheornamentofameekandquietspirit.

You see how desirable the attainment is; will you therefore, throughdesire,separateyourselvestothepursuitofit,and"seekandintermeddlewith all wisdom" and all little enough, that you may reach to themeeknessofwisdom.

1.Withdrawyouraffectionsfromthisworld,andeverything in it.Themoretheworld iscrucifiedtous, themoreourcorruptpassionswillbecrucified in us. Ifwewould keep calm andquiet,wemust by faith liveabove the stormyregion. It is certain those thathaveanything todo inthe world cannot butmeet with that every day from those with whomtheydeal,whichwillcrossandprovokethem;andiftheaffectionsaresetuponthesethings,andwearefilledwithaprevailingconcernaboutthemastheprincipalthings,thosecrossesmustpiercetothequickandinflamethe soul, and that which touches us in these things, touches us in theappleofoureye.Iftheappetitesareindulgedinordinatelyinthingsthatarepleasingtosense,thepassionswilltotheverysamedegreeberoused

against those that are displeasing. And therefore, Christians, whateveryouhaveoftheworldinyourhands,beitmoreorless,asyouvaluethepeaceaswellasthepurityofyoursouls,keepitoutofyourhearts;andalways indulge your affections towards your possessions, enjoyments,anddelightsintheworld,withadueconsiderationofthedisappointmentandprovocationwhichtheywillprobablyoccasionyou.

ItistheexcellentadviceofEpictetus,whateverwetakeapleasurein,toconsider its nature, and to proportion our complacency accordingly.Those that idolize anything in thisworldwill be greatlydiscomposed ifthey are crossed in it. "The money which Michah's mother had," saysBishopHall,"washergodbeforeithadtheshapeeitherofanengravedoramoltenimage,elsethelossofitwouldnothavesetheracursing,asitseemsitdid."Thosethatare"greedyofgain"troubletheirownheartsaswellastheirownhouses.Theyareaburdentothemselves,andaterrortoallaboutthem."Theywhowillberich,"whoareresolveduponit,comewhatwill,cannotbutfallintothese"foolishandhurtfullusts."Andthosealsowhoservetheirownbellies,whoarepleasedwithnothingunlessitiswounduptotheheightofpleasure,whoarelikethe"tenderanddelicatewoman,thatwouldnotsetsomuchasthesoleofherfoottothegroundfor tenderness anddelicacy," lie veryopen to thatwhich isdisquieting,and cannot, without a great disturbance to themselves, bear adisappointment;andthereforePlutarch,agreatmoralist,prescribesitforthepreservationofourmeekness,"nottobecuriousindietorclothesorattendance;for,"sayshe,"theywhoneedbutfewthingsarenotliabletoangeriftheybedisappointedofmany."

Wouldwebutlearninthesethingstocrossourselves,weshouldnotbesoapttotake itunkindifanothercrossesus.Andthereforethemethodofthe lessons in Christ's school is, first to "deny ourselves," and then to"takeupourcross."Wemustalsomortify thedesireof theapplauseofmen, as altogether inconsistent with our true happiness. If we havelearned not to value ourselves by their good word, we shall not muchdisturbourselves for their illword.St.Paulborereproacheswithmuchmeekness,becausehedidnotbuildupontheopinionofman,reckoningit"asmallthingtobejudgedofman'sjudgment."

2. Be often repenting of your sinful passion, and renewing your

covenants against it. If our rash anger were more bitter to us in thereflection afterwards, we should not be so apt to relapse into it.Repentance in general, if it is sound and deep, and grounded in truecontrition and humiliation, disposes the soul to bear injuries withabundance of patience. Thosewho live a life of repentance, aswe eachhavereasontodo,cannotbutliveaquietlife,fornobodycanlightlysayworse of the true penitent than he says of himself. Call him a fool—anaffrontwhichmanythinkdeservesachallenge—thehumblesoulcanbearitpatientlywiththisthought:"Yes,Iamafool,"andIhavecalledmyselfso many a time; "more brutish than any man; I do not have theunderstandingofaman."Butrepentanceinaspecialmannerdisposesustomeekness,whenitfastensuponanyirregularinordinatepassionwithwhich we have been transported. Godly sorrow for our formertransgressions in thismatter,willworka carefulness inusnotagain totransgress.Ifothersarecauselesslyorexcessivelyangrywithme,amnotI justly repaid for thesameormore indecentpassions?Charge ithomethereforewithsorrowandshameuponyourconsciences,aggravatingthesin,andlayinga loaduponyourselvesfor it,andyouwill find that"theburnedchild,"especiallywhiletheburnissmarting,"willdreadthefire."SeeJob42:6.

With our repentance for our former unquietness, we must engageourselvesbyafirmresolution,inthestrengthofthegraceofJesusChrist,tobemoremildandgentleforthefuture.Sayyouwill"takeheedtoyourways,"thatyouoffendnot,asyouhavedone,"withyourtongue;"andlikeDavid, often remember that you said so. Resolution would do muchtowardstheconqueringofthemostruggednature,andthequietbearingofthegreatestprovocation;itwouldbelikethebitandbridletothehorseand mule, that have no understanding. It may be of good use everymorning to renew a charge upon our affections to keep the peace, andhavingwelcomedChristinfaithandmeditation,letnounrulypassionstiruporawakeourlove.

3. Keep out of the way of provocation, and stand upon your guardagainstit.Whilewearesoveryapttooffendinthismatter,wehaveneedtopray,andtopracticeaccordingly,"Lord,leadusnotintotemptation."Those are enemies to themselves and to their own peace, as well as to

humansociety,whoseekoccasion toquarrel,who fish for provocationsand dig upmischief; but meek and quiet people will, on the contrary,studiouslyavoideventhatwhichis justlyprovoking,andwillseeitasiftheysawitnot.Thosethatwouldnotbeangrymustwinkatthatwhichwouldstirupanger,orputafavorableconstructionuponit.Theadviceofthewisemanisverygoodtothepurpose:"Don'ttaketohearteverythingpeople say, lest youhear your servant cursing you;" and it is better foryounottohearit,unlessyoucanhearitpatiently,andnotbeprovokedtosin.ItisacommonstoryofCotys,thatbeingpresentedwithacupboardof curious glasses, he returned his thanks to his friend that had sentthem, and gratified the messenger that brought them, and thendeliberatelybrokethemall,lestbythecasualbreakingofthemseverally,he should be provoked to passion.AndDion relates it, to the honor ofJulius Caesar, that Pompey's cabinet of letters coming to his hand, hewouldnotreadthembecausehewashisenemy,andhewouldbelikelytofindinthosewhowhichwould increase thequarrel; "andtherefore,"asDr.Reynoldsexpresses it, "hechoserather tomakea fireonhishearththaninhisheart."

But seeing "briars and thorns are with us," and we "dwell amongscorpions,"and"itmustneedsbethatoffensescome,"letusbesomuchthemorecareful,aswearewhenwegowithacandleamongpowder,andexerciseourselvestohaveconsciencesvoidofoffense,norapttooffendothers, nor to resent the offenses of others. When we are at any timeengagedinbusinessorcompanywhereweforeseeprovocation,wemustdoubleourwatch,andbemorethanordinarilycircumspect."Iwillkeepmymouthwithabridle,"saysDavid,thatis,withaparticularactualcareand diligence, while the wicked is before me, and frequent acts willconfirmthegooddispositionandbringittoahabit.Plutarchadvises"tosetsometimetoourselvesforspecialstrictness;somanydaysorweeks,inwhich,whateverprovocationsdooccur,wewillnotallowourselvestobe disturbed by them." And thus he supposes, by degrees, the habit ofviciousangermaybeconqueredandsubdued.Butafterall, thegraceoffaithhasthesurestinfluenceupontheestablishmentandquietnessofthespirit:faithestablishesthemercyofGod,themeeknessofChrist,theloveof theSpirit, the commandsof theword, thepromisesof the covenant,and the peace and quietness of the upper world; this is the approved

shield, with which wemay be able to quench all the fiery darts of thewickedone,andallhiswickedinstruments.

4.Learntopause.Itisagoodrule,asinourcommunionwithGod,soinourconversewithmen,"Donotbehastyinwordorimpulsiveinthoughttobringupamatter."Whenatanytimeweareprovoked,delaysmaybeasadvantageousasinothercasestheyaredangerous."Thediscretionofamandefershisanger.""Iwouldbeatyou,"saidSocratestohisservant,"ifIwerenot angry;"but "he that ishastyof spirit," that joins inwithhisanger upon the first rise of it, "exalts folly." The office of reason is togovernthepassions;butthenwemustgivetimetoact,andnotsufferthetonguetooverrunit.Somehaveadvised,whenweareprovokedtoanger,to take at least so much time to deliberate as while we repeat thealphabet; and others have thought itmore proper to repeat the Lord'sprayer,andperhapsbythetimewearepastthefifthpetition,"forgiveourtrespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us," we may bereduced into temper. It is a good rule, to "think twice beforewe speakonce;"forhethathurrieswithhisfeetsins.ItwasthenotedsayingofagreatstatesmaninqueenElizabeth'scourt,"Taketime,andweshallhavedonethesooner."Norcantherebeanythinglostbydeferringouranger;forthereisnothingsaidordoneinourwrathbutitmightbebettersaidandbetterdoneinmeekness.

5. Pray to God by his Spirit to work in you this excellent grace ofmeeknessandquietnessofspirit.ItisapartofthatlovelinesswhichHeputsuponthesoul,andHemustbesoughtunto for it. Ifanyman lackthismeeknessofwisdom,lethimaskitofGod,whogives liberally,anddoes not upbraid us with our folly. When we begin at any time to befrowardandunquiet,wemustliftaprayertoHimwhostillsthenoiseofthe sea, for that gracewhich establishes the heart.WhenDavid's heartwashotwithinhim,thefirstwordthatbrokeoutwasaprayer.Psa.39:3,4. When we are surprised with a provocation, and begin to be in afermentupon it, itwillnotonlybeapresentdiversion,buta sovereigncure, to utter a prayer to God for grace and strength to resist andovercomethetemptation:"Lord,keepmequietnow."LetyourrequestsinthismatterbemadeknowntoGod;and"thepeaceofGodshallkeepyour hearts andminds." You are ready enough to complain of unquiet

people about you, but you have more reason to complain of unquietpassions within you; the other are but thorns in the hedge, these arethorns in the flesh,againstwhich, if youbeseech theLord,asPauldid,withfaithandfervencyandconstancy,youshallreceivesufficientgrace.

6.Beoftenexaminingyourgrowthandproficiencyinthisgrace.Inquirewhat command you have gained over your passions, and whatimprovementsyouhavemadeinmeekness.Provocationsrecureveryday,suchashavebeenusedperhaps to throwyou intoapassion; thesegiveyouanopportunitytomakethetrial.Doyoufindthatyouarelesssubjectto anger, and when angry, that you are less transported by it, thanformerly; thatyourapprehensionof injuries is lessquick,andthatyourresentmentsarelesskeenthanusual?Isthelittlekingdomofyourmindmorequiet than it has been, and the discontented partyweakened andkeptunder?Itiswellifitisso,andagoodsignthatthesoulprospersandisinhealth.Weshouldexamineeverynightwhetherwehavebeenquietallday.Weshallsleepthebetterifwefindwehave.Letconsciencekeepupagrandinquestinthesoul,underachargefromtheJudgeofheavenand earth to inquire and due presentmentmake of all riots, routs, andbreachesof thepeacewithinus;and letnothingbe leftunpresented forfavor, affection, or self-love; nor let anything presented be leftunprosecutedaccordingtolaw.Thosewhosenaturaltemper,ortheirage,ordiseasesleadthemtobehasty,haveanopportunity,bytheirmeeknessand gentleness, to discover both the truth and strength of grace ingeneral; for it is thesurestmarkofuprightnessto"keepourselvesfromourowniniquity."Andyet,ifthechildrenofGodbringforththesefruitsof the Spirit in old age, when commonly men are most froward andpeevish,itshowsnotonlythattheyareupright,butratherthat"theLordisupright,"inwhosestrengththeystand;that"Heistheirrock,andthereisnounrighteousnessinHim."

7.Delightinthecompanyofmeekandquietpeople.Solomonprescribesitasapreservativeagainst foolishpassion, to"makeno friendshipwithanangryman,lestyoulearnhisways."Whenyourneighbor'shouseisonfire, it is time to look to yourown.Butman is a sociable creature, andmade for conversation; let us therefore, since we must have somecompany,choosetohavefellowshipwiththosewhoaremeekandquiet,

that we may learn their way, for it is a good way. The wolf is nocompanion for the lamb, nor the leopard for the kid, until they haveforgottento"hurtanddestroy."Companyisassimilating,andweareaptinsensibly to grow like those with whom we ordinarily converse,especiallywithwhomwedelighttoconverse;thereforeletthequietintheland be the men of our choice, especially into standing relations andbosomfriendship.Observeinothershowsweetandamiablemeeknessis,andwhat a heaven upon earth those enjoy who have the command oftheirownpassions,andstudytotranscribesuchcopies.Therearethosewho take a pleasure in riotous company, and are never well but whenthey are in themidst of noise and clamor. Surely heavenwouldnot beheaven to such, for that is a calm and quiet region: no noise there butwhatissweetandharmonious.

8.Study the crossofourLordJesus. Ifweknewmoreof JesusChrist,andHim crucified, we would experiencemore of the fellowship of Hissufferings.ThinkoftenhowandinwhatwayHesuffered:seeHimledasa lambtotheslaughter,andarmyourselveswiththesamemind.Thinkalso why and for what endHe suffered, that youmay not in anythingcontradictthedesignofyourdyingSavior,norreceiveHisgraceinvain.Christdiedasthegreatpeacemaker, totakedownallpartition-walls, toquenchallthreateningflames,andtoreconcileHisfollowers,notonlytoGod,butonetoanother,bytheslayingofallenemies.Eph.2:14,16.TheapostleoftenprescribesabelievingregardtothesufferingsofChristasapowerfulallaytoallsinfulandintemperateheats,asEph.5:2;Phil.2:5,etc.ThosewhowoulddemonstratethemeekandhumblelifeofChristintheirmortalbodies,mustbearaboutwiththemcontinually"thedyingoftheLordJesus."Theordinanceof theLord's supper, inwhichweshowforth the Lord's death and the new testament in His blood, mustthereforebeimprovedbyusforthisblessedend,asalove-feast,atwhichalloursinfulpassionsmustbelaidaside;andamarriage-feast,wheretheornament of a meek and quiet spirit is a considerable part of thewedding-garment. The forgiving of injuries, and a reconciliation to ourbrother,isbothanecessarybranchofourpreparationforthatordinance,andagoodevidenceandinstanceofourprofitingbyit.

9.Conversemuchinyourthoughtswiththedarkandsilentgrave.You

meetwithmanythingsnowthatdisturbanddisquietyou,andmuchadoyouhave to bear them: think howquiet deathwillmake you, and howincapable of resenting or resisting injuries, andwhat an easy prey thisflesh,forwhichyouaresojealous,willshortlybetothewormthatshallfeed sweetly on it. You will, before long, be out of the reach ofprovocation, "where thewicked cease from troubling," andwhere theirenvyandtheirhatredisforeverperished.Andisnotaquietspiritthebestpreparation for thatquiet state?Thinkhowall these things,whichnowdisquiet us, will appear when we come to look death in the face: howsmallandinconsiderabletheyseemtoonethatissteppingintoeternity.Think,"Whatneed is there that I should so resent an affront of injury,thatambutawormtoday,andmaybethefoodofwormstomorrow?"

A little sprinklingof theduskof thegrave,upon thebrinkofwhichwestand, would do much towards quieting our spirits and ending ourquarrels.Deathwillquietusshortly;letgracequietusnow.WhenDavid'sheartwashotwithinhim,heprayed,"Lord,makemetoknowmyend."

Toconclude,IknownoerrandthatIcancomeuponofthiskindtoyou,inwhichmethinksIshouldbemorelikelytoprevailthaninthis;somuchdoesmeeknessconducetothecomfortandreposeofourownsouls,andthemaking of our lives sweet and pleasant. If you are wise here, youshallbewiseforyourself.ThatwhichIhavebeensointentuponinthisdiscourse,isonlytopersuadeyounottobeyourowntormentors,buttogovernyourownpassions so that theymaynotbe furies to yourselves.TheornamentIhavebeenrecommendingtoyouisconfessedlyexcellentandlovely;willyouputitonandwearit,thatbythisallmenmayknowyouareChrist'sdisciples?andyoumaybefoundamongthesheepontherighthand,atthegreatday,whenChrist'sangelsshallgatheroutofHiskingdom everything that offends. Everyone will give meekness a goodword; but in this, as in other instances, honesty is applauded, yetneglected.

Loveiscommendedbyall,andyettheloveofmanywaxescold;butletallthat would not be self-condemned, practice what they praise. And asthere is nothing in which I should more expect to prevail, so there isnothing inwhich itwill easier appearwhether I have prevailed or not:thistreewillsoonbeknownbyitsfruits;somanyarethecircumstances

of almost every day which call for the exercise of this grace, that ourprofiting thereinwillquicklyappear toourselves,and toallwithwhomweconverse.Ourmeeknessandquietnessismoreobvious,andfallsmoredirectlyunderatrialandobservation,thanourlovetoGodandourfaithinChrist, andother graces, the exercisewhereof liesmore immediatelybetween God and our own souls. Shall we therefore set ourselves tomanifest, inallourconverse, thatwehave indeedreceivedgoodbythisplaindiscourse? that our relations and neighbors, and all thatwe havedealingswith,mayobservea change inus for thebetter, andmay takeknowledge of us that we have been with Jesus. And let not theimpressions of it ever wear off, but, living and dying, let us be foundamongthequiet intheland:weallwishtoseequietfamilies,andquietchurches,andquietneighborhoods,andquietnations;anditwillbesoiftherebequiethearts,andnototherwise.

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A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit by Matthew Henry,Copyright©2018

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