A discourse concerning meekness and quietness of spirit to which is added, A sermon…

3. There is in it the Credit of an Ornament. The Text speaks of it, as an Adorning, much more excellent and valuable than Gold, or Pearls, or the most costly Array, much more recommending than all the Bravery of the Daughters of Zion. It is an adorning to the Soul, the principal, the immortal part of the Man. That outward adorning doth but deck, and beautify the Body, which at the best, is but a Sister to the Worms, and will ere long be a Feast for them, but this is the Ornament of the Soul, by which we are allied to the invisible World. 'Tis an adorning which recommends us to God, which is in his sight of great price; so the Text saith, and in that saith enough to its praise. Ornaments go by Estimation: now we may be sure, that the Judgment of God is right and unerring. Every thing is indeed, as it is with God: Those are righteous indeed,¹, that are righteous before God; and that is an Ornament indeed, which he calls and counts so. It is an Ornament of God's own ⟨p. 48⟩making; Is the Soul thus decked? 'Tis he that hath decked it: By his Spirit he hath garnished the Heavens, Job 26. 13. and by the same Spirit hath he garnished the meek and quiet Soul. It is an Ornament of his accepting, (it must needs be so, if it be of his own working) for to him that hath this Ornament, more adorning shall be given. He hath promised, Psal. 149. 4. that he will beautify the meek with Salvation; and if the Garments of Salvation will not beautify, what will? The Robes of Glory will be the everlasting Ornament of the meek and quiet Spirits. This Meekness is an Ornament which (like the Israelites Cloths in the Wilderness) never waxeth old, nor will ever go out of fashion, while right Reason and Religion have any place in the World: All wise and good People will reckon those best dressed, that put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and walk with him in the white of Meekness and Innocence. Solomon in all his Glory was not arrayed like one of these Lilies of the Valleys, tho' Lilies among Thorns.

3. There is in it the Credit of an Ornament. The Text speaks of it, as an Adorning, much more excellent and valuable than Gold, or Pearls, or the most costly Array, much more recommending than all the Bravery of the Daughters of Zion. It is an adorning to the Soul, the principal, the immortal part of the Man. That outward adorning doth but deck, and beautifie the Body, which at the best, is but a Sister to the Worms, and will ere long be a Feast for them, but this is the Ornament of the Soul, by which we are ally'd to the invisible World. 'Tis an adorning which recommends us to God, which is in his sight of great price; so the Text saith, and in that saith enough to its praise. Ornaments go by Estimation: now we may be sure, that the Judgment of God is right and unerring. Every thing is indeed, as it is with God: Those are righteous indeed,