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

[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 •r•m his Youth, and therefore better is not to be expected from him. And upon this inducement he had compassion on Israel, Psal. 78. 39. For he remembered that they were but Flesh; not only frail Creatures, but sinful, and bent to backslide. Do Men gather Grapes of Thorns? I knew that thou wouldst deal treacherously, for thou wast called a Transgressor from the Womb, Isa. 48. 8. And should not we, much more, be qualified by the same consideration? If thou seest the violent perverting of Judgment and Justice in a Province, remember what a provoking Creature sinful Man is, and then thou wilt not marvel at the matter, Eccl. 5. 8. The consideration of the common Infirmity