SECT. III.

Some particular Instances wherein the Exercise of Meekness is in a special manner requir'd.

The Rule is general, we must shew all Meek∣ness; 'twill be of use to observe some special cases to which the Scripture applies this general Rule.

1. We must give Reproofs with Meekness. It is the Apostles Direction, Gal. 6. 1. If a Man be over∣taken in a fault, (i. e. if he be surpriz'd by a Temp∣tion and overcome, as the best may be, if God leave them to themselves) ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the Spirit of Meekness. By the Spiritual Man, to whom he gives this Rule, he means not Ministers only, as if none were spi∣ritual but they, tho' they perhaps are chiefly in∣tended, because they are, as the Prophet speaks, Isa. 29. 21. Reprovers in the Gate; i. e. Reprovers by Office, yet doubtless it is a Rule to private Christians; all that have opportunity must re∣prove, and all that reprove must do it with Meek∣ness. Ye that are Spiritual, if you would approve your selves so indeed, acted by the Holy Spirit, and minding the things of the Spirit, be careful in this matter. Especially let those that are Chri∣stians of the highest Form, that excel in Grace, and Holiness, and the best Gifts, (such are call'd Spiritual in distinction from the Babes in Christ, 1 Cor. 3. 1.) Let them look upon themselves as obli∣ged, in a more peculiar manner, to help others; for where God gives five Talents, he expects the improvement of five; the strong must bear the infirmities of the weak, Rom. 15. 1. Do you there∣fore restore such a one, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, set him in joynt again. The setting of a dislocated joynt or Page  116 a broken Bone is for the present painful to the Patient, but it must be done, and it is in order to the making of broken Bones to rejoyce. Now this you must do with the Spirit of Meekness, with all the candor, and gentleness, and convin∣cing Evidences of Love and Kindness that can be. The three Qualifications of a good Surgeon, are very requisite in a Reprover, viz. to have an Eagle's Eye, a Lion's Heart, and a Lady's Hand; that is, that he be endued with a great deal of Wisdom, and Courage, and Meekness. Tho' some∣times it is needful to reprove with warmth, yet we must never reprove with Wrath, for the Wrath of Man worketh not the Righteousness of God, Jam. 1. 20. There is an observable Difference, but no contradiction betwixt the Directions Paul gives to Timothy, and those he gives to Titus in this matter. To Titus he writes to reprove sharply, Tit. 1. 13. and to rebuke with all Authority, Cap. 2. v. 15. To Timothy he writes not to strive, but to be gentle, 2 Tim. 2. 24. to reprove with all long-suf∣fering, Chap. 4. 2. The Reason of which may be taken either, [1.] From the different Temper of those they had to deal with. Timothy was among the Ephesians, a tractable complaisant People, that would be easily managed, and with them he must always deal gently. Titus was among the Cretians, that were head-strong and rough hewn, and not to be wrought upon, but by sharper methods. Thus in reproving, a difference must be made: Of some we must have compassion, and others save with Fear, but never with Anger, plucking them out of the fire, Iude, ver. 23. Or, [2.] The Reason may be taken (as Gregory, one of the Antients, assigneth it) from the different Temper of Timothy and Titus. Titus was a Man Page  117 of a very soft and mild Temper, and he had need of a Spur to quicken him to a needful Acrimony in his Reproofs; but Timothy was a Man of a more warm and sanguine Temper, and he had need of a Bridle to keep him from an intempe∣rate heat in his Reproofs; and then it teacheth us, that those who are naturally keen and fervent, should double their Guard upon their own Spi∣rits, when they are reproving, that they may do it with all Meekness. Christ's Ministers must be careful while they display God's Wrath, to con∣ceal their own, & be very jealous over themselves, lest sinful Anger shelter it self under the Cloke of Zeal against sin. When Reproving (whoever be the Reprover) degenerates into Railing and Re∣viling, and Opprobrious Language, how can we expect the desir'd success? It may provoke to Con∣tention and every evil Work; but it will never provoke to Love, and to good Works. The work of Heaven is not likely to be done by a Tongue set on fire of Hell. Hath Christ need of mad Men? or will you talk deceitfully and passionately for him? A Potion given too hot s••lds the Patient, and doth more hurt than good, and so many a Reproof, good for the matter of it, hath been spoiled by an irregular Management. Meekness hides the Lancet, gilds the Pill, and makes it pas∣sable; dips the Nail in Oil, and then it drives the better. Twice we find Ionathan reproving his Fa∣ther, for his rage against David; once he did it with Meekness, and it sped well, 1 Sam. 19. 4, 5. Let not the King sin against his Servant, [against Da∣vid,] and 'tis said, v. 6. Saul hearkned to him. But another time his Spirit was provok'd, and he did it in a heat, Cap. 20. 32. Wherefore shall he be slain? and the issue of it was ill. Saul was not only im¦patient Page  118 of the Reproof, but enraged at the Repro∣ver, and cast a Iavelin at him, v. 33. Reproofs are then likely to answer the intention, when they ma∣nifestly evidence the good will of the Reprover, and are made up of soft Words and hard Arguments. This is to restore with the Spirit of Meekness, and there's a good reason added, considering thy self; ille hodie, ego •ras; those who think they stand fast, know not how soon they may be shaken and overthrown, and therefore we must treat those that are overtaken in a fault, with the same ten∣derness and compassion that we would wish to find, if it were our own case.

2. We must receive Reproofs with Meekness. If we do that which deserves Rebuke, and we meet with those that are so just and kind to give it us, we must be quiet under it, not quarrelling with the Reprover, nor objecting against the Re∣proof, nor fretting that we are touch'd in a sore place, but submit to it, and laying our Souls under the Conviction of it.* If Reproofs be Physick, it becomes us to be Patient. Let the Righteous smite me, it shall be a Kindness, and an excellent Oil, healing to the wounds of Sin, and making the face to shine; and let us never reckon that it breaks the Head, if it do but help to break the Heart, Psa. 141. 5. Meekness suf•ers the word of Admo∣nition, and takes it patiently and thankfully, not only from the hand of God that sends it, but from the hand of our Friend that brings it. We must not be like the Reprobate Sodomites, Gen. 19. 9. or that pert Hebrew, Exod. 2. 14. that flew in the Face of their Reprovers, (tho' really they were the best Friends they had) with, Who made thee a Iudge? but like David, who, when Abi∣gail so prudently scotch'd the Wheels of his Pas∣sion, Page  119 not only bless'd God that sent her, and bles∣sed her Advice, but blessed her, 1 Sam. 25. 32, 33. and v. 35. not only hearkned to her Voice, but accepted her Person. Tho perhaps the Reprover supposeth the fault greater than really it was, and though the Reproof be not given with all the Prudence in the World, yet Meekness will teach us to ac∣cept it quietly, and to make the best use we can of it; nay, if indeed we be altogether innocent of that which we are reproved for, yet the Meekness of Wisdom would teach us to apply the Reproof to some other fault, which our own Consciences convict us of: We would not quarrel with a real intended Kindness, tho' not done with Ceremony, & tho' in some circumstances mistaken or misplac'd.

You that are in Inferior Relations, Children, Servants, Scholars, must with all Meekness and Submission receive the Reproofs of your Parents, Masters and Teachers: Their Age supposeth them to have more Understanding than you; however, their Place gives them an Authority over you, to which you are to pay a Deference, and in which you are to acquiesce, else farewel all Order and Peace in Societies. The Angel rebuked Hagar for flying from her Mistriss, tho' she dealt hardly with her, and obliged her to return and submit her self under her hands, Gen. 16. 6, 9. If the Spirit of any Ruler rise up against thee, and thou be chid∣den for a Fault, leave not thy Place, as an Infe∣rior, for yielding pacifies great offences done, and prevents the like, Eccl. 10. 4. If thou hast thought evil, lay thy hand upon thy Mouth, to keep that evil thought from breaking out in any undue and unbecoming Language, Pro. 30. 32. Reproofs are then likely to do us good, when we meekly submit to them; then are they as an Ear-ring of Page  120 Gold, and an Ornament of fine Gold, when an obedient Ear is given to a wise Reprover, Pro. 25. v. 12. Nay, even Superiors are to receive Re∣proofs from their Inferiors with Meekness, as they would any other Token of Kindness and Good∣will. Naaman when he turn'd away from the Prophet in a rage, yet hearkned to the Reproof which his own Servants gave him, and was over∣rul'd by the Reason of it, 2 Kin. 5. 11, 13, 14. which was no more a disparagement to him, than it was to receive Instruction from his Wife's Maid, to whom to go •or a cure of his Leprosie, v. 2, 3. Meek∣ness teacheth us, when a just Reproof is given, to regard not so much who speaks, as what is spoken.

3. We must instruct Gain-sayers with Meekness, 2 Tim. 2. 24, 25. It is there prescrib'd to Ministers, that they must not 〈◊〉, but be gentle to all Men, in Meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. They serve the Prince of Peace, they preach the Gospel of Peace, they are the Ambas∣sadors of Peace, and therefore must be sure to keep the Peace. The Apostles, those prime Mi∣nisters of State in Christ's Kingdom, were not Mi∣litary Men or Men of strife and noise, but Fisher∣men that follow their Employment with quiet∣ness and silence. 'Tis highly necessary that the Guides of the Church be strict Governours of their own Passions. Learn of me (saith Christ) for I am meek and lowly, and therefore fit to teach you, Mat. 11. 29. We must contend earnestly, but not angrily and passionately, no not for the ••ith once delivered to the Saints, Iude, v. 3. when we have never so great an assurance, that it is the cause of Truth we are pleading, yet we must so manage our Defence of it, against those who gain∣say, as to make it appear, that it is not the Con∣fusion Page  121 of the Erroneous, but the Confutation of the Error that we intend. This Meekness would teach us not to prejudge a Cause, nor to con∣demn an Adversary unheard, but calmly to state matters in difference, as knowing that a Truth well open'd, is half confirm'd. It would teach us not to aggravate matters in dispute, nor to father upon an Adversary all the absurd Consequences which we think may be inferr'd from his Opi∣nion: It would teach us to judge charitably of those that differ from us, and to forbear all per∣sonal Reflections in arguing with them. God's Cause needs not the Patronage of our sinful Heats and Passions, which not only shatter the Peace, but often give• a mighty shock even to the Truth it self, we plead for. Meekness would prevent and cure that Bigotry, which hath been so long the Bane of the Church, and contribute a great deal towards the Advancement of that happy State, in which, notwithstanding little Differences of Apprehension and Opinion, the Lord shall be one, and his Name one. Publick Reformations are carry'd on with most Credit and Comfort, and are most likely to settle upon la∣sting Foundations, when Meekness sits at the Stern, and guides the Motions of them. When Christ was purging the Temple, tho' he was therein acted by a Zeal for God's House that even eat him up, yet he did it with Meekness and Prudence, which appear'd in this instance, that when he drove out the Sheep and Oxen, which would easily be caught again, he said to them that sold Doves, Take these things hence, Joh. 2. 16. He did not let loose the Doves, and send them flying, for that would have been to the loss and prejudice of the Owners. Angry, noisie, bitter Page  122 Arguings, ill become the Asserters of that Truth, which is great and will prevail, without all that adoe. It was a very froward and perverse Gene∣ration that our Lord Jesus lived in, and yet it is said, Mat. 12. 19. He shall not strive, nor cry, neither shall any Man hear his Voice in the Street, tho' he could have broke them as easily as a bruised Reed, and extinguish'd them as soon as one could quench the wiek of a Candle newly lighted, yet he will not do it, till the day comes when he shall bring forth Iudgment unto Victory. Moses dealt with a very obstinate and stiff-neck'd Peo∣ple, And yet my Doctrine (saith he) shall drop as the Dew, and distil as the small Rain, Deut. 32. 2. 'Twas not the Wind, nor the Earthquake, nor the Fire that brought Elijah into Temper, (for the Lord was not in them) but the still small Voice did it, when he heard that, he wrap'd his Face in his Mantle, 1 Kin. 19. 11, 12, 13. In dealing with Gain-sayers, a Spirit of Meekness will teach us to consider their Temper, Education, Custom, the Power of Prejudice they Labour under, the In∣fluence of others upon them, and to make Allow∣ances accordingly, and not to call (as passionate Contenders are apt to do) every false Step, an Apostacy, every Errour and Mistake, nay, every Misconstrued Misplaced Word, a Heresie, and every Misdemeanor, no less than Treason and Re∣belion; Methods of Proceeding, more likely to irritate and harden, than to convince and reduce Gain-sayers. I have heard it observed long since, That the Scourge of the Tongue hath driven many out of the Temple, but never drove any into it.

4. We must make Profession of the Hope that is in us, with Meekness. 1 Pet. 3. 15. Be ready always to give Answer, (to make your Defence Page  123 or Apology, so the word is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) whether judicially or extrajudicially, as there is occasion, to every Man that (soberly, not scoffing∣ly and in derision) asks you a Reason, or an Account of the hope that is in you, i. e. of the Religion you profess, which you hope to be saved by, with Meekness and Fear. Observe, it is very well consistent with Christian Quietness, to appear in the Defence of Truth, and to avow our Christian Profession, when at any time we are duly call'd to it. That is not Meekness, but base Cowardise that tamely betrays, and delivers up any of Christ's Truths or Institutions, by silence, as if we were ashamed or afraid to confess our Master. But the Office of Meekness at such a time is to direct us how, and in what manner to bear our Testimony, not with Pride and Passion, but with Humility and Mildness. Those that would suc∣cessfuly confess the Truth, must first learn to deny themselves; And we must give an account of our Hope, with a Holy Fear of missing it in such a Critical Juncture. When we give a Reason for our Religion, we must not boast of our selves, or of our own Attainments, nor reflect Contempt and Wrath upon our Persecutors, but remember that the present Truth, (so 'tis call'd, 2 Pet. 1. 12) the Truth which is now to be asserted, is the same with the Word of Christ's Patience, Rev. 3. 10. i. e. the word which must be patiently suffered for, according to the Example of him, who with invincible Meekness, (before Pontius Pilate) wit∣nessed a good Confession, 1 Tim. 6. 13. A great Abase∣ment and Diffidence of our selves may very well consist with a firm Assurance of the Truth, and a profound Veneration for it.

Page  124 In lesser things, wherein wise and good Men are not all of a mind, Meekness teaches us not to be too confident that we are in the right, nor to censure and condemn those that differ us, as if we were the People, and Wisdom should die with us, but quietly to walk according to the Light that God hath given us, and charitably to believe that others do so too, waiting till God shall re∣veal either this to them, (Phil. 3. 15.) or that to us. Let it in such cases suffice to vindicate our selves, which every Man hath a right to do, with∣out a Magisterial Sentencing of others; why should we be many Masters, when we are all Offenders, (Iam. 3. 1, 2.) and the Bar is our place, not the Bench? Meekness will likewise teach us to manage a singular opinion, wherein we differ from others, with all possible deference to them, and suspicion of our selves, not resenting it as an Affront to be Contradicted, but taking it as a Kindness to be better inform'd. Nor must we be angry that our Hope is enquir'd into, even such a trial of it, if we approve our selves well in it, may be sound to Praise, and Honour, and Glory, to which our Meekness will very much contribute, as it puts a lustre upon, and a convincing Power into the Testimony we bear▪ we then walk wor∣thy of the vocation wherewith we are called, when we walk in all lowliness and meekness, Eph. 4. 1, 2.

5. We must bear Reproaches with Meekness. Reproach is a branch of that Persecution which all that will live godly in Christ Iesus, must count upon; and we must submit to it, behaving our selves quietly, and with a due decorum, not only when Princes sit and speak against us, but even when the Abjects gather themselves toge∣ther Page  125 against us, and we become the Song of the Drunkards. Sometimes we find it easier to keep calm in a solemn and expected Engagement, than in a sudden Skirmish, or a hastly Rencounter, and therefore even against those slight Attacks, it is requisite that Meekness be set upon the Guard. If we be nick-named, and slandered, and have all manner of Evil said against us falsly, our Rule is, Not to be disturbed at it, nor to render Rail∣ing for Railing, 1 Pet. 3. 9. but tho' we may, as we have opportunity, with Meekness deny the Charge, as Hannab did when Eli overhastily censur'd her for a Drunkard; No, my Lord, I have drank neither Wine nor strong Drink, 1 Sam. 1. 15. Yet when that is done, we must without meditating any Re∣venge, quietly commit our Cause to God, who will sooner or later, clear up our Innocency as the Light, which is promised, Psal. 37. 5, 6. and therefore fret not thy self, but wait patiently, v. 7. cease from Anger, and forsake Wrath, v. 8. Mr. Dod was wont to charm his Friends into silence under Reproaches, with this, That if a Dog bark at a Sheep, the Sheep will not bark at the Dog again. We do but gratifie our great Adversary, and do his Work for him, when we suffer the Peace and Serenity of our Minds to be broken in upon, by the Reproaches of the World: For me to disquiet my self, and put my self into a Passion, because another abuseth me, is as if I should scratch up the Skin of my Face, to fetch off the Dirt which my Adversary throws in it. When reproaches provokes our Passions, which put us upon rendring Bitterness for Bitterness, we thereby lose the Com∣fort, and forfeit the Honour and Reward, which the Divine Promise hath annexed to the Reproach of Christ, and shall we suffer so many things in vain? Page  126 We likewise thereby give occasion to those who had spoken evil of us falsly, to speak evil of us truly; and perhaps our Religion suffers more by our Impatience under the Reproach, than by the Reproach it self. What have we the Law, and Pat∣tern, and Promise of Christ for, but to calm our Spirits under Reproaches for well doing? Truly those can bear but a little for Christ, that cannot bear a hard or a foul word for him. If we either faint, or fret in such a Day of Adversity, 'tis a sign our Strength is small indeed. May it not sa∣tisfie us, that by our Meekness and Quietness under Reproaches, we engage God for us, who hath promised, that he will with Righteousness judge the Poor, the poor in Spirit, and will re∣prove with equity for the meck of the Earth, Isa. 11. v. 4. He that hath bid us to open our Mouths for the Dumb, Pro. 31. 8. will not himself be silent, Psa. 12. 5. And shall we not learn at last, instead of •retting and being exceeding Angry, to rejoyce and to be exceeding glad, Mat. 5. 11, 12. when we suffer thus for Righteousness sake? May we not put such Reproaches as Pearls, in our Crown, and be assured that they will pass well in the Account another day, when there will be an advantagious Resurrection of Names, as well as Bodies, in the prospect of which, we have reason to rejoyce, That we are counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name,* Acts 5. 4•. That we are honour'd to be dishonour'd for him, who for our sakes endured the Cross, and despised the shame. 'Tis one of the Laws of Meekness, Spernere se sperni; to despise being despised.