A43344:190
A discourse concerning meekness and quietness of spirit to which is added, A sermon…
A discourse concerning meekness and quietness of spirit to which is added, A sermon on Acts 28. 22, showing that the Christian religion is not a sect, and yet that it is every where spoken against / by Matthew Henry ...A discourse concerning meekness and quietness of spirit to which is added, A sermon on Acts 28. 22, shewing that the Christian religion is not a sect, and yet that it is every where spoken against / by Matthew Henry ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1699
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
4. Saint Paul was a Pattern of Meekness. Tho' his natural Temper seems to have been warm and eager, which made him eminently Active and Zealous, yet that Temper was so rectified and sanctified, that he was no less eminently meek. He became all things to all Men, 1 Cor. 9. 19, &c. He studied to please all with whom he had to do, and to render himself easy to them, for their good to Edification. How patiently did he bear the greatest Injuries and Indignities, not only from Jews and Heathen, but from false Brethren, that were so very industrious to abuse and undermine him? How glad was he that Christ was preached, tho' out of Envy, and Ill-will by those that studied to add Affliction to his Bonds? In governing the Church, he was not led by the sudden Resolves of Passion, but always deliberated calmly concerning the use of the Rod of Discipline, when there was occasion for it, 1 Cor. 4. 21. Shall I come to you with a Rod, or in the Spirit of Meekness? That is, shall I proceed immediately to Censures, or shall I not rather continue the same gentle Usage I have hitherto treated you with, waiting still for your Reformation? wherein the Spirit of Meekness appears more open and legible, than in the use of the Rod, tho' that also is very well consistent with it.
4. Saint Paul was a Pattern of Meekness. Tho' his natural Temper seems to have been warm and eager, which made him eminently Active and Zealous, yet that Temper was so rectified and sanctified, that he was no less eminently meek. He became all things to all Men, 1 Cor. 9. 19, &c. He studied to please all with whom he had to do, and to render himself easie to them, for their good to Edification. How patiently did he bear the greatest Injuries and Indignities, not only from Jews and Heathen, but from false Brethren, that were so very industrious to abuse and undermine him? How glad was he that Christ was preached, tho' out of Envy, and Ill-will by those that studied to add Affliction to his Bonds? In governing the Church, he was not led by the sudden Resolves of Passion, but always deliberated calmly concerning the use of the Rod of Discipline, when there was occasion for it, 1 Cor. 4. 21. Shall I come to you with a Rod, or in the Spirit of Meekness? That is, shall I proceed immediately to Censures, or shall I not rather continue the same gentle Usage I have hitherto treated you with, waiting still for your Reformation? wherein the Spirit of Meekness appears more open and legible, than in the use of the Rod, tho' that also is very well consistent with it.