A43344:238
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.
SECT. V.
Some Rules of Direction.
The Laws of our Holy Religion are so far from clashing and interfering, that one Christian Duty doth very much further and promote another; the Fruits of the Spirit, are like Links in a Chain, one draws on another; it is so in this; many other Graces contribute to the Ornament of a Meek and Quiet Spirit.
You see how desirable the Attainment is, will you therefore, through desire, separate your selves to the pursuit of it, and seek and intermeddle with all Wisdom, Pro. 18. 1. and all little enough, that you may reach to the Meekness of Wisdom.
1. Sit loose to the World, and to every thing in it. The more the World is crucified to us, the more our corrupt Passions will be crucified in us. If we would keep calm and quiet, we must by Faith live above the stormy Region. It is certain, those that have any thing, or have any thing to do in the World, cannot but meet with that every day from those with whom they deal, which will cross and provoke them; and if the Affections be set upon these things, and we be filled with a prevailing Concern about them, as the principal Things, those Crosses must needs pierce to the quick, and inflame the Soul, and that which toucheth us in these things, toucheth us in the Apple of our Eye. If the Appetites be carried out inordinately towards those things that are pleasing to Sense, the Passions will be to the very same degree, carried out against those that are displeasing. And therefore (Christians) whatever you have of the World in your Hands, be it more or less, as you tender the Peace as well as the Purity of your Souls, keep it out of your Hearts, and evermore let out your Affections towards your Possessions, Enjoyments, and Delights in the World with a due Consideration of the Disappointment and Provocation, which probably you will meet with in them, and let that restrain and give check to their Inordinacy.