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

God made a gracious visit to Abraham, Gen. 13. 14. After that Lot was separated from him, viz. After the Strife betwixt him and Lot was over, in which he had discovered so much Mildness and Humility. The more carefully we preserve the Communion of Saints, the fitter we are for Communion with God. It is observable, that the Sacrifices which God appointed under the Law, were not ravenous Beasts, and Birds of ⟨p. 70⟩Prey, but Calves, and Kids, and Lambs, and Turtle Doves, and young Pigeons, all of them Emblems of Meekness, and Gentleness, and Inoffensiveness, for with such Sacrifices God is well pleased. This quietness of Spirit contributes very much to the constant steadiness and regularity of a religious Conversation. Hot and eager Spirits that are ready to take Fire at every thing, are usually very inconstant in their Profession, and of great Inconsistency with themselves, like a Man in an Ague Fit, sometimes burning hot, and sometimes shivering for cold; or like those that Gallop in the beginning of their Journey, and tire before the end of it; whereas the meek and quiet Christian is still the same, and by keeping to a constant rate rids Ground. If you would have one Foot of the Compasses go even round the Circumference, you must be sure to keep the other sixth and quiet in the Centre, for your strength is to sit still.

God made a gracious visit to Abraham, Gen. 13. 14. After that Lot was separated from him, viz. After the Strife betwixt him and Lot was over, in which he had discovered so much Mildness and Humility. The more carefully we preserve the Communion of Saints, the fitter we are for Communion with God. It is observable, that the Sacrifices which God appointed under the Law, were not ravenous Beasts, and Birds of ⟨p. 70⟩Prey, but Calves, and Kids, and Lambs, and Turtle Doves, and young Pigeons, all of them Emblems of Meekness, and Gentleness, and Inoffensiveness, for with such Sacrifices God is well pleased. This quietness of Spirit contributes very much to the constant steddiness and regularity of a religious Conversation. Hot and eager Spirits that are ready to take Fire at every thing, are usually very inconstant in their Profession, and of great Inconsistency with themselves, like a Man in an Ague Fit, sometimes burning hot, and sometimes shivering for cold; or like those that Gallop in the beginning of their Journey, and tire before the end of it; whereas the meek and quiet Christian is still the same, and by keeping to a constant rate rids Ground. If you would have one Foot of the Compasses go even round the Circumference, you must be sure to keep the other fixt and quiet in the Centre, for your strength is to sit still.