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

We read, James 3. 13. of the meekness of Wisdom; for where there is not Wisdom, that Wisdom which is profitable to direct, ¹that Wisdom of the Prudent which is to understand •is way, meekness will not long be preserved. It is our Rashness and Inconsideration that betrays us to all the Mischiefs of an ungoverned Passion, in the neck of which the Reins are laid (which should be kept in the Hand of Reason) and so we are ⟨p. 18⟩hurried upon a thousand Precipices. Nehemiah is a remarkable instance of Prudence presiding in just resentments; He owns, Neb. 5. 6, 7. I was very angry when I heard their Cry, but that anger did not at all transgress the Laws of Meekness, for it follows, Then I consulted with my self, or, as the Hebrew hath it, My heart consulted in me. Before he expressed his Displeasure, he retired into his own bosom, took time for a sober thought upon the case, and then he rebuked the Nobles, in a very solid rational Discourse, v. 8, 9, 10, 11. and the success was good, v. 12, 13. In every Cause, when Passion presently demands Judgment, Meekness moves for further time, and will have the matter fairly argued, and Council heard on both sides.

We read, Iames 3. 13. of the meekness of Wisdom; for where there is not Wisdom, that Wisdom which is profitable to direct, ¹that Wisdom of the Prudent which is to understand •is way, meekness will not long be preserv'd. It is our Rashness and Inconsideration that betrays us to all the Mischiefs of an ungovern'd Passion, in the neck of which the Reins are laid (which should be kept in the Hand of Reason) and so we are ⟨p. 18⟩hurry'd upon a thousand Precipices. Nehemiah is a remarkable instance of Prudence presiding in just resentments; He owns, Neb. 5. 6, 7. I was very angry when I heard their Cry, but that anger did not at all transgress the Laws of Meekness, for it follows, Then I consulted with my self, or, as the Hebrew hath it, My heart consulted in me. Before he express'd his Displeasure, he retir'd into his own bosom, took time for a sober thought upon the case, and then he rebuked the Nobles, in a very solid rational Discourse, v. 8, 9, 10, 11. and the success was good, v. 12, 13. In every Cause, when Passion presently demands Judgment, Meekness moves for further time, and will have the matter fairly argued, and Council heard on both sides.