SERMON XXVIII. 3811 humility without being severely humbled ; and yet where there is need of this chastisement, ,I had rather any other hand should be employed in it than mine. IV. Meekness is another of the lovely graces. This is con-. trary to wrath and malice, andall the angrypassions, as humility stands in opposition to pride. As there are generally some secret workings of pride in the heart, when a man gives indulgence to his wrathful passions ; so where a person has thoroughly learned the practice of humility, the grace of meekness is easily attained, and indeed it seems to be a necessary conse- quent of it. How lovely is the character of a man, who canhear himself censured and reviled, without reviling again! Who can sustain repeated affronts, without kindling into flame and fury. Who has learned to bear injuries from his fellow-creatures, and yet withhold himself from meditating revenge ! He can sit and hear a strong opposition made to his sentiments, without con- ceiving an affront : He can bear to be contradicted without re- senting: And as he never loves to give offence to any man, so neither is he presently offended. It is only the more peevish and feeble pieces of human nature, that are ready to take offence at trifles, and many times they make their own foolish jealousies a sufficient ground for their indignation. We cannot expect to pass through the world, and find"every thingpeaceful and pleasant in it. All men will not be of our mind, nor agree to promote our interest. There are savages in this wilderness, which lies in our way to the heavenly Canaan.; and we must sometimes hear them roar against us. Divine courage will enableus to walk onward without fear, and meek- ness will teach us to pass by without resenting. We should learn to feel many a spark of angry fire falling upon us, from the tongues of others, and yet our hearts should not be like tinder ready to catch the flame, and to return the blaze. Themeek christian, at such a season, possesses his soul in patience, as good David did, when Shimei sent his malice andhis curses after him : The saint at that time was in an humble temper, and said, Let Shimei curse. We should not render evilfor evil, but according to the sacred 'direction of scripture, endeavour to overcome evil nitla good; Rom. xii. 21. Anger is not utterly forbidden to thechristian ; yet happy is he that has the least occasion for it. In Eph. iv. 26. the apostle gives this rule : Be ye angry, and sin net. As if he would have said, when the-atfuiirs of life seem to require a just resentment and anger, look upon it as : a dangerous moment,' andwatch against a sinful excess. Let us never give a wild loose to our wrath, but always hold the reins of government with a stronghand, lest it break out into forbidden mischief. When we
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