that " he was led as a lamb to the slaughter; ami as a sheep be- fore her shearers is dumb, so opened he not his mouth*:" and in that particular he is more especially commended to us as an example : for " he suffered, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps ; who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth ; who, when he was reviled, reviled not again ; when he suffered, threatened not ; but committed him- self to him that judgeth righteously V This is the state which God approves. The outward act is comparatively of little value in his sight ; since that may abound, even where the inward principle is most corrupt : but when he sees " the hidden man nf the heart " thus habited, he views it with de- light : " the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is in his sight of great price ^." This is what the Apostle so beauti- fully inculcates in our text: "Let him shew out of a good con- versation his works taith meekness of unsdovi" Meekness and wisdom are intimately and indissolubly connected : as it is said, "He that is hasty of spirit, exalte th folly; whereas he who is slow to wrath, is of great understanding \" In this then must every true Christian excel : and it will be in vain for him to pretend that he has been taught of God, if he have not learned, and practically too, this important lesson. Do you ask how the true Christian must be distinguished ? St. Paul shall tell you : " Put on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and for- giving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any : even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye"." This is the pro- per test of your principles. If you have knowledge, it is well : if you have faith, it is well : if you have works, it is well : but you may " have the knowledge of men and angels, and a faith that can remove mountains ; and such zeal, both of an active and passive kind, as may lead you to give all your goods to feed the poor, and yovir bodies to be burned, and yet, after all, want that internal principle of love, which is ne- cessary to your acceptance with God""." Your proper cha- racter is, that you are " the meek of the earth : seek righ- teousness therefore, and seek meekness.'" " I beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ " " that you cul- tivate this spirit to the uttermost : for, if you have not in this respect " the mind that was in Christ Jesus °," you are not, you cannot be, his°.]
For the more extensive improvement of this subject, I would add two solemn admonitions :
1. Rest
• « Isai. liii. 7. * 1 Pet. ii. 21— 2,3. M Pet. iii. 4.
" Prov. xiv. 29. ' Col. iii. J 2, 13. ^ 1 Cor. xiii.l— 3.
' Zeph. ii. 3. "2 Cor. x. 1. " Phil, ii. 5.
" 1 John iii. 24. & iv. 17.