[He is courteous. If in his unconverted state he has been rough, severe, and harsh, he will not appear to the same advantage as one whose temper and habits have been mild: but the operation of divine grace will be more conspicuous in him, by reason of the greatness of the change that has been produced. He is become a new man : all around him discern and feel the difference: as a husband, he is more tender; as a father, more kind ; as a master, more gentle ; as a member of society, more engaging. He is modest, affable, easy of access, and amiable in the whole of his deportment. There is nothing of an overbearing disposition in him, but a willingness that others should think and act for themselves as well as he. This is his character, as described by the pen of an inspired writer: he is " no brawler, but gentle, shewing all meekness to all mens."
He is patient. Many in their natural state are so irritable, that it is impossible to please them long together : they are like the sea, tossed and agitated by every breath of wind. Not so the person who has attained the character in the text. We say not, that he never speaks unadvisedly with his lips ; for even Moses, the meekest of the human race, transgressed in this particular'^; and, if a man so bridled his tongue, as never in any instance to offend in word, he w^ould be altogether perfect'. But the Christian has attained such a measure of self-government, as " not to be easily provoked." He is " slow to wrath, knowing that the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God'^." He accounts it " his glory to pass over a transgression'." Where the offence committed is of such a nature as to require an expression of his displeasure, he endeavours so to guard his anger, so to temper it with love and pity; and so to restrain it both in measure and duration, that he may fulfil the precept, " Be angry, and sin not™." He is particularly on his guard in relation to religious controversy. If his sentiments are represented as erroneous and absurd, instead of yielding immediately to vehemence and invective, he will " give a reason of the hope that is in him with meek- ness and fear";" and will " instruct in meekness them that oppose themselves, if God peradventure may give them repent- ance to the acknowledging of the truth"." If, on the other hand, it falls to his lot to reprove a fallen brother, he will endeavour to " restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering himself, lest he also be tempted^."
He \& forgiving. He may receive injuries like other men: but he will not resent them as others do. He knows that he
g Tit. iii. 2. ^ Ps. cvi. 33. * Jam. iii. 2.
^ Jam. i. 19, 20. • Prov. xix. 11. ^ Epli. iv. 2G, 27.
" 1 Pet. iii. 15. " 2 Tim. ii. 25. p Gal. vi. 1.