A43344:225
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.
2. That in many things we all offend. This truth we have, James 3. 2. and it comes in as a reason why we must not be many Masters, v. 1. It would help to subdue and moderate our Anger, at the Offences of others, if we would but consider,
2. That in many things we all offend. This truth we have, Iames 3. 2. and it comes in as a reason why we must not be many Masters, v. 1. It would help to subdue and moderate our Anger, at the Offences of others, if we would but consider,
[1.] That it is incident to humane Nature to offend. While we are in this World, we must not expect to converse with Angels, or the Spirits of just Men made perfect; no, we are obliged to a Communication with Creatures that are foolish and corrupt, peevish and provoking, and who are all subject to like Passions; such as these we must live among, else must we needs go out ⟨p. 130⟩of the World. And have we not reason then to count upon something or other, uneasy an displeasing in all Relations and Conversations. The best Men have their roughnesses and unevennesses in this imperfect state; those that are savingly enlightened, yet knowing but in part, have their blind side; the Harmony, even of the Communion of Saints, will sometimes be disturbed with jarring strings; why then should we be surprised into Passion and Disquiet, when that which gives us the Disturbance, is no more than what we looked for? Instead of being angry, we should think with our selves, thus; Alas! what could I expect but Provocation, from corrupt and fallen Man? Among such foolish Creatures as we are, it must needs be, that Offences will come; and why should not I have my share of those Offences? The God of Heaven gives this as a reason of his Patience towards a provoking World, that it is in their Nature to be provoking, Gen. 8. 21. I will not again curse the Ground any more for Man's sake, for the imagination of Man's Heart is evil rm his Youth, and therefore better is not to be expected from him. And upon this inducement he had compassion on Israel,