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

8. Study the Cross of our Lord Jesus.—Did we but know more of Jesus Christ, and him crucified, we should experience more of the Fellowship of his Sufferings. Think often how, and in what manner he suffered; see him led as a Lamb to the Slaughter, and arm your selves with the same Mind. Think also why, and for what end he suffered, that you may not in any thing contradict the design of your dying Saviour, nor receive his Grace in vain. Christ died as the great Peace-maker, to take down all Partition-Walls, to quench all threatening Flames, and to reconcile his Followers, not only to God, but one to another, by the slaying of all Enmities, Eph. 2. 14, 16. The Apostle often prescribes a believing regard to the sufferings of Christ, as a powerful allay to all sinful and intemperate Heats, as Eph. 5. 2. Phil. 2. 5, &c. Those that would show forth the meek and humble Life of Christ, in their mortal Bodies, must bear about with them continually the dying of the Lord Jesus, 2 Cor. 4. 10. The Ordinance of the Lord's Supper, in which we show forth the Lord's Death, and the New-Testament, in his Blood, must therefore be improved ⟨p. 150⟩by us for this blessed end, as a Love-feast, at which all our sinful Passions must be laid aside, and a Marriage-feast, where the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit is a considerable part of the Wedding-Garment. The forgiving of Injuries, and a Reconciliation to our Brother is both a necessary Branch of our Preparation for that Ordinance, and a good evidence and instance of our profiting by it. If God hath there spoken Peace to us, let not us go away and speak War to our Brethren. The Year of Release under the Law, which put an end to all Actions, Suits and Quarrels, begun in the close of the day of Atonement; then the Jubilee-Trumpet sounded.

8. Study the Cross of our Lord Iesus.—Did we but know more of Jesus Christ, and him crucified, we should experience more of the Fellowship of his Sufferings. Think often how, and in what manner he suffered; see him led as a Lamb to the Slaughter, and arm your selves with the same Mind. Think also why, and for what end he suffered, that you may not in any thing contradict the design of your dying Saviour, nor receive his Grace in vain. Christ died as the great Peace-maker, to take down all Partition-Walls, to quench all threatning Flames, and to reconcile his Followers, not only to God, but one to another, by the slaying of all Enmities,