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

4. That there is no Provocation given us at any time, but, if it be skilfully and graciously improved, there is good to be gotten by it. If we have but that Wisdom of the Prudent, which is to understand his way, and all the Advantages and Opportunities of it, doubtless we may, quite contrary to the intention of those that trespass against us, gain some spiritual, that is, some real Benefit to our Souls, by the Injuries and Offences that are done to us, for even these are made to work together for good to them that love God. This is a Holy and a Happy way of opposing our Adversaries, and resisting evil. 'Tis an ill Weed indeed out of which the Spiritual Be cannot extract something profitable, and for it's purpose. Whatever Lion roars against us, let us but go in the Strength and Spirit of the Lord, as Samson did, and we may not only rend it as a Kid, so that it shall do us no real harm, but we may withal get Meat out of the Eater, and Sweetness out of the Strong. As it turns to the unspeakable Prejudice of many that they look upon Reproofs as Reproaches, and treat them accordingly with Anger and Displeasure; so it would turn to our unspeakable Advantage, if we could but learn to call Reproaches Reproofs, and make use of them as such, for our Conviction and Humiliation; and thus the Reproach of Christ, may become true Riches to us, and greater than the Treasures of Egypt.

4. That there is no Provocation given us at any time, but, if it be skilfully and graciously improved, there is good to be gotten by it. If we have but that Wisdom of the Prudent, which is to understand his way, and all the Advantages and Opportunities of it, doubtless we may, quite contrary to the intention of those that trespass against us, gain some spiritual, that is, some real Benefit to our Souls, by the Injuries and Offences that are done to us, for even these are made to work together for good to them that love God. This is a Holy and a Happy way of opposing our Adversaries, and resisting evil. 'Tis an ill Weed indeed out of which the Spiritual Bee cannot extract something profitable, and for it's purpose. Whatever Lion roars against us, let us but go in the Strength and Spirit of the Lord, as Samson did, and we may not only rend it as a Kid, so that it shall do us no real harm, but we may withal get Meat out of the Eater, and Sweetness out of the Strong. As it turns to the unspeakable Prejudice of many that they look upon Reproofs as Reproaches, and treat them accordingly with Anger and Displeasure; so it would turn to our unspeakable Advantage, if we could but learn to call Reproaches Reproofs, and make use of them as such, for our Conviction and Humiliation; and thus the Reproach of Christ, may become true Riches to us, and greater than the Treasures of Aegypt.