holy disposition, are of necessity unacquainted with these sources of heavenly consolation. As it is not possible for an impeni- tent unbelieving soul to taste that peace which passeth all understanding ; so neither can one who is morose, or irritable, or vindictive : " His sins will hide good things from him, and will separate between him and his God^.
The promise in the text is supposed by many to refer to the la7id of Canaan ; and to that as typical of heaven^. And cer- tainly in this sense also it is fulfilled to those who are truly meek. Often do they, (and never more than when suifering for righteousness' sake,) obtain Pisgah views of that promised land ; and often are refreshed with the grapes of Eschol, even when most destitute of earthly comforts. In a word, they have a joy with which the stranger intermeddlcth not, and which is an earnest and foretaste of their heavenly inheritance p.]
Address —
[Let St. Peter be heard in confirmation of all that has been said*": " Good days" are " a blessing " whicli God designs us " to inherit :" and a meek demeanour is the means by which we are to obtain it. Let us not, however, put any Cln'istian grace in the place of Christ : it is He, and he alone, that can give us either peace with God, or peace in our own consciences
Nevertheless, meekness, as a means, is conducive to
happiness : and it is in vain to expect haj^piness, either in this world or in the next, if we do not attain it. " Who then is a wise man and endued with knowled<>:e amongst you ? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom'."]
^ Isai. lix. 2. f n/r yriv. 8 Isai. xxix. 19.
I' 1 Pet. iii. 9—11. ' Jam. iii. 13.