A43344:37
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.
In the Text he instanceth in one particular Grace; one Member of this hidden Man in the Heart, which we must every one of us adorn our selves with, and that is a meek and quiet Spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. Where observe,
1. The Grace it self here recommended to us; it is a meek and quiet Spirit. There must be not only a meek and quiet Behaviour outwardly; there may be that either by constraint, or with some base and disguised Design, while the Soul in the mean time is rough and turbulent and envenomed; the Words may be softer than Oil, while War is in the Heart, 1Psal. 55. 21. But the Word of God is a Discerner and Judge of the Thoughts ⟨p. 6⟩and Intents of the Heart. The Power of Men's Laws may bind a Man to the good Behaviour, but it is only the Power of God's Grace that will renew a right Spirit within him, Psal. 51. 10. That's it that makes the Tree good, and then the Fruit will be good. The God with whom we have to do, demands the Heart, looks at the Principle, and requires Truth in the inward parts, not only in the Duties of his own immediate Worship, that those be done in the Spirit, but also in the Duty we owe to our Neighbour, that that also be done with a pure Heart, and without dissimulation. The Word of Command which the Captain of our Salvation gives, is, Christians, take heed to your Spirits, Mal. 2. 15.
1. The Grace it self here recommended to us; it is a meek and quiet Spirit. There must be not only a meek and quiet Behaviour outwardly; there may be that either by constraint, or with some base and disguised Design, while the Soul in the mean time is rough and turbulent and envenom'd; the Words may be softer than Oyl, while War is in the Heart,