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

This soft Answer, in case we have committed a Fault (tho' perhaps not culpable to that degree that we are charged with) must be Penitent, Humble and Submissive, and we must be ready to acknowledge our Error, and not stand in it, or insist upon our own Vindication, but rather aggravate than excuse it, rather condemn than justify our selves: It will be a good evidence of our Repentance towards God, to humble our selves to our Brethren, whom we have offended, as it will be also a good evidence of our being forgiven of God if we be ready to forgive those that have offended us: And such yielding pacifieth great Offences. Meekness teacheth us as oft as we trespass against our Brother to turn again and say, I repent, Luke 17. 4. An acknowledgement in case of a wilful Affront is perhaps as necessary to pardon, as (we commonly say) Restitution is in case of wrong:—And so much for the opening of the Nature of Meekness, which yet will receive further light from what follows.

This soft Answer, in case we have committed a Fault (tho' perhaps not culpable to that degree that we are charged with) must be Penitent, Humble and Submissive, and we must be ready to acknowledge our Error, and not stand in it, or insist upon our own Vindication, but rather aggravate than excuse it, rather condemn than justifie our selves: It will be a good evidence of our Repentance towards God, to humble our selves to our Brethren, whom we have offended, as it will be also a good evidence of our being forgiven of God if we be ready to sorgive those that have offended us: And such yielding pacifieth great Offences. Meekness teacheth us as oft as we trespass against our Brother to turn again and say, I repent, Luke 17. 4. An acknowledgment in case of a wilful Affront is perhaps as necessary to pardon, as (we commonly say) Restitution is in case of wrong:—And so much for the opening of the Nature of Meekness, which yet will receive further light from what follows.

[2.] We must be of a quiet Spirit. Quietness is the evenness, the composure, and the rest of the Soul, which speaks both the nature and the excellency of the Grace of Meekness. The greatest Comfort and Happiness of Man is sometimes set forth by Quietness. That Peace of Conscience which Christ hath left for a Legacy to his Disciples, that present Sabbatism of the Soul, which is an earnest of the Rest that remains for the People of God, is called, Quietness and Assurance