again ; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed him- self to him that judge th righteously1." 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 of the heart" thus habited, he views it with delight: " the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is in his sight of great price"." This is what the Apostle so beautifully incul- cates in our text : " Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom" Meekness and wisdom are intimately and indissolubly connected: as it is said, " He that is hasty of spirit, exalteth folly ; whereas he who is slow to wrath, is of great understanding11." 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 forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any : even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye1." This is the proper 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 know- ledge of men and angels, and a faith that can remove moun- tains ; and such zeal, both of an active and passive kind, as may lead you to give all your goods to feed the poor, and your bodies to be burned, and yet, after all, want that internal principle of love, which is necessary to your acceptance with Godk." Your proper character is, that you are " the meek of the earth: seek righteousness therefore, and seek meekness1." "I beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ"1" that you cultivate this spirit to the uttermost: for, if you have not in this respect " the mind that was in Christ Jesus n," you are not, you cannot be, his0.]
For the more extensive improvement of this subject, I would add two solemn admonitions —
1. Rest not in attainments, whilst destitute of knowledge —
[There is a great diversity in the natural dispositions of men : some are from their very birth more meek and gentle than others : and certainly they whom nature has formed in
f 1 Pet. ii. 21 — 2'}. B 1 Pet. iii. 4. h Prov. xiv. 29.
1 Col. iii. 12, 13. k 1 Cor. xiii. 1—3. > Zeph. ii. 3.
,n 2 Cor. x. 1. " Phil. ii. 5.
" 1 John iii. 24. and iv. 1 7.