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

3. We must instruct Gain-sayers with Meekness, 2 Tim. 2. 24, 25. It is there prescribed to Ministers, that they must not […], but be gentle to all Men, in Meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. They serve the Prince of Peace, they preach the Gospel of Peace, they are the Ambassadors of Peace, and therefore must be sure to keep the Peace. The Apostles, those prime Ministers of State in Christ's Kingdom, were not Military Men or Men of strife and noise, but Fishermen that follow their Employment with quietness and silence. 'Tis highly necessary that the Guides of the Church be strict Governors of their own Passions. Learn of me (saith Christ) for I am meek and lowly, and therefore fit to teach you, Mat. 11. 29. We must contend earnestly, but not angrily and passionately, no not for the ••ith once delivered to the Saints, Jude, v. 3. when we have never so great an assurance, that it is the cause of Truth we are pleading, yet we must so manage our Defence of it, against those who gainsay, as to make it appear, that it is not the Confusion ⟨p. 121⟩of the Erroneous, but the Confutation of the Error that we intend. This Meekness would teach us not to prejudge a Cause, nor to condemn an Adversary unheard, but calmly to state matters in difference, as knowing that a Truth well opened, is half confirmed. It would teach us not to aggravate matters in dispute, nor to father upon an Adversary all the absurd Consequences which we think may be inferred from his Opinion: It would teach us to judge charitably of those that differ from us, and to forbear all personal Reflections in arguing with them. God's Cause needs not the Patronage of our sinful Heats and Passions, which not only shatter the Peace, but often give• a mighty shock even to the Truth it self, we plead for. Meekness would prevent and cure that Bigotry, which hath been so long the Bane of the Church, and contribute a great deal towards the Advancement of that happy State, in which, notwithstanding little Differences of Apprehension and Opinion, the Lord shall be one, and his Name one. Public Reformations are carried on with most Credit and Comfort, and are most likely to settle upon lasting Foundations, when Meekness sits at the Stern, and guides the Motions of them.