4. We must show all Meekness unto all Men. This is one of the Subjects which Paul directs a young Minister to preach upon, Tit. 3. 2. Put them in mind to show all Meekness.—It is that which we have need to be often minded of. Meekness is there opposed to Brawling and Clamour, which is the Fruit and Product of our own Anger, and the Cause and Provocation of the Anger of others. Observe, it is all Meekness, that is here recommended to us [Greek or Hebrew]—all kinds of Meekness, bearing Meekness, and forbearing Meekness, qualifying Meekness, condescending Meekness, forgiving Meekness; the Meekness that endears our Friends, and that which reconciles our Enemies; the Meekness of Authority over Inferiors; the Meekness of Obedience to Superiors, and the Meekness of Wisdom towards all. All Meekness is Meekness in all Relations, in reference to all Injuries, all sorts of Provocation, Meekness in all the Branches and Instances of it: In this piece of our Obedience, we must be Universal. Observe further, we must not only have Meekness, all Meekness, but we must show it, by drawing out this Grace into Exercise, as there is occasion: In our Words, in our Looks, in our Actions, in every thing that falls under the Observation ⟨p. 93⟩of Men, we must manifest that we have indeed a regard to the Law of Meekness, and that we make Conscience what we say and do, when we are provoked. We must not only have the Law of Love written in our Hearts, but in our Tongues too, we must have the Law of Kindness, Pro. 31. 26. And thus the Tree is known by its Fruits. This Light must shine, that others may see the good Works of it, and hear the good Words of it too, not to glorify us, but to glorify our Father, Mat. 15. 16. we should study to appear in all our Converse, so mild, and gentle, and peaceable, that all that see us may witness for us, that we are of the Meek of the Earth. We must not only be moderate, but let our Moderation be known, Phil. 4. 5. He that is in this respect a wise Man, let him show it in the Meekness of Wisdom, Jam. 3. 13. What are good Clothes worth, if they be not worn? Why hath the Servant a fine Livery given him, but to show it for the honour of his Master, and of the Family he belongs to? How can we say we are meek, if we do not show it?
4. We must shew all Meekness unto all Men. This is one of the Subjects which Paul directs a young Minister to preach upon, Tit. 3. 2. Put them in mind to shew all Meekness.—It is that which we have need to be often minded of. Meekness is there opposed to Brawling and Clamour, which is the Fruit and Product of our own Anger, and the Cause and Provocation of the Anger of others. Observe, it is all Meekness, that is here recommended to us 〈non-Latin alphabet〉—all kinds of Meekness, bearing Meekness, and forbearing Meekness, qualifying Meekness, condescending Meekness, forgiving Meekness; the Meekness that endears our Friends, and that which reconcil•s our Enemies; the Meekness of Authority over Inferiors; the Meekness of Obedience to Superiors, and the Meekness of Wisdom towards all. All Meekness is Meekness in all Relations, in reference to all Injuries, all sorts of Provocation, Meekness in all the Branches and Instances of it: In this piece of our Obedience, we must be Universal. Observe further, we must not only have Meekness, all Meekness, but we must shew it, by drawing out this Grace into Exercise, as there is occasion: In our Words, in our Looks, in our Actions, in every thing that falls under the Observation ⟨p. 93⟩of Men, we must manifest that we have indeed a regard to the Law of Meekness, and that we make Conscience what we say and do, when we are provok'd. We must not only have the Law of Love written in our Hearts, but in our Tongues too, we must have the Law of Kindness, Pro. 31. 26. And thus the Tree is known by its Fruits. This Light must shine, that others may see the good Works of it, and hear the good Words of it too, not to glorifie us, but to glorifie our Father, Mat. 15. 16. we should study to appear in all our Converse, so mild, and gentle, and peaceable, that all that see us may witness for us, that we are of the Meek of the Earth. We must not only be moderate, but let our Moderation be known, Phil. 4. 5. He that is in this respect a wise Man, let him shew it in the Meekness of Wisdom, Iam. 3. 13. What are good Cloaths worth, if they be not worn? Why hath the Servant a fine Livery given him, but to shew it for the honour of his Master, and of the Family he belongs to? How can we say we are meek, if we do not shew it?
