Many are the gracious promises which are left upon record, for our encouragement to cultivate a truly humble state of mind. "God will save the humble person. He forgetteth not the cry of the humble. Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly. He giveth grace to the bumble; but he beholdeth the proud afar off." And it is a circumstance which deserves our notice, that a humble disposition of mind was the first which engaged our Lord's attention, in those beatitudes, with which he prefaced his admirable sermon on the Mount: for it is generally understood, that Humility is, at least, included in the virtue to which he alluded, when he said; Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”

The Apostle Paul, gives the following admonitions on this subject: "I say to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Mind not high things. Be not wise in your own conceits; but condescend to men of low estate. Let us not be desirous of vain glory; for if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." To these admonitions we may add this exhortation of the

Apostle Peter; "Ye younger, submit your-selves to the elder; yea, all of you be subject one to another; and be clothed with Humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." These are strong recommendations of the virtue of Humility; but it is peculiarly enhanced in our view, when we consider the striking and encouraging: language of the Almighty, by the prophet. Isaiah: "Thus said the high and lofty One,. that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy I dwell in the high and holy place: with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit; to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the con trite ones."

CHAPTER IVa

Meekness..

THIS is a virtue very similar to Humility, and is sometimes confounded with it. They are, however, quite distinct; and this, distinction. may, perhaps, be most easily shown by stating, that the vice opposite to Meekness, is anger; whilst pride, as was before mentioned, is the opposite to Humility..

Meekness. gives its possessor many advantages in passing through life; particularly, from that state of self-government which it.... produces, and which is indeed its insepara ble companion. When it is genuiue, it not only makes a man master of himself, but gives him also a great ascendancy over others.. "A soft, answer turneth away wrath." There is, however a false Meekness, (and. the same distinction might have been made. on Humility,) which, proceeding from insen-, sibility, affectation, or some mistaken apprehensions of this duty, tends to provoke rather than to allay anger. But we must not, on this account, slight or neglect the cultivation of this important virtue, to which many precious promises are attached in holy, writ..

Moses was a remarkable example of meekness; for. during the forty years in which he led the Israelites through the wilderness, and under the many provoca tions which he had to bear, from their impatient, discontented spirit, we do not find that he more than once lost the cominand of his temper. So remarkable was he for the exercise of this virtue, under the most trying circumstances, that it is said, "The nian Moses was very meek, above all the men who lived on the face of the earth.”

The Psalmist frequently shows the excellency of this state of mind, and that it is peculiarly favoured by the Divine Being.

The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way. God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. He will beautify the meek with sal vation. The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." To this passage our bles<sed Lord appears to allude, when he quotes the first part of it, and prefixes his Divine benediction to this state of mind. "Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth."

In the Book of Proverbs, the importance and excellence of this virtue is clearly shown, and its opposite vice strongly censured. "He that is slow to anger is better than the

mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit, than: The that taketh a city. He that hath no

rule over his own spirit, is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly. A wrathful man stirreth 'up strife; but he that is slow to anger, appeaseth strife. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools." Although anger may at times take us unawares, yet great care should be exercised that it do not rest in our hearts. To prevent this, seems to have been the Apostle's view, when he says: "Be ye angry and sin not; let not the sun go down on your wrath." These words are considered, not as a command to be angry, but to avoid sinful anger. A very respectable Translator* renders it, "If ye be angry, sin not."

Meekness is a virtue which is particularly recommended to the feinale sex, by the Apostle Peter: but when we consider the great importance which he attaches to it, we must allow that it would be greatly the interest of both sexes to obtain possession of it. In giving advice respecting the adorning of Christian wives, he first shows what it should not be; and then, in setting forth what it should be, he expresses himself.

Abp. Newcome.