they are most pure and noble.

They may cenfure our conduct, when even it is fuch as a love of divine truth, and zeal for God's honour, dictate. But though men, though even our fellow-Chriftians may difhonour us, we may apply to our comfort the confideration which fupported and animated JESUS CHRIST. "There is ONE that feeketh and judgeth." The Being whose honour we seek, will vindicate ours. Our reputation, our happiness, and our glory, are in his hands. And reflect, with hope and joy reflect, that He hath graciously promised, THEM THAT HONOUR ME,

I WILL HONOUR.

b 1 Sam. ii. 30.

1

SERMON XI.

THE MEEKNESS AND GENTLENESS OF CHRIST.

2 COR. X. I.

Now I Paul, myself, beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of CHRIST.

WH

HEN ye furvey the works of God," faith an elegant writer, "nothing is "fo confpicuous as his greatness and majesty, "When ye confult his word, nothing is more

" remarkable than his attention to soften that

greatness, and to place it in the mildest and "least oppreffive light. He not only charac"terifes himself as the God of confolation, but, "with condescending gentleness, he particularly "accommodates himself to the fituation of the "unfortunate. He dwelleth with the humble

" and contrite.

He hideth not his face, "when the afflicted cry. He healeth the "broken in heart, and bindeth' up their "wounds; He is long-suffering, full of com

passion, slow to anger; He waiteth to be "gracious." So we alfo read, that when JESUS, his beloved Son, the image of the invisible God, manifefted his character, and fulfilled his ministry, on earth, he was eminent for the fame attribute of mildness and gentleness. Hence he describes himself as "meek and lowly." Hence the Apostle addreffes the Corinthians, as well acquainted with thefe amiable traits of CHRIST's character, and befeeches them by his "meekness " and gentlenefs."

It is not perhaps easy, nor is it neceffary, exactly to diftinguish between "meekness " and gentleness." But if we would accurately define each, the former feems to refer to injuries done to a man, the latter to the claims he advances: the former relates to his behaviour under particular provocations, the latter to his general deportment: the former ftands opposed to quickness of temper, to + Elair's Sermons, vol. i p. 153.

hafty anger and violent refentment; the latter to severity, pride, and oppreffion. The office of the former is more confined, that of the latter more extensive. The union of both is delightful. They can, indeed, scarcely be separated and will, generally, act with an harmonious and blended influence. In a word, they include equity, modefty, kindness, candour, affability, condefcenfion, long-fuffering, and forgiveness.

These virtues," meeknefs and gentleness," comprehend that spirit and tenor of manners, which the gospel enjoins, when it commands us to "bear one another's burdens; to rejoice "with those who rejoice, and to weep with "those who weep; to please every one his

neighbour for his good; to be kind and

tender-hearted; to be pitiful and courteous; "to support the weak, and to be patient "towards all men." Thefe are virtues perpetually inculcated in the New Testament. They are the expreffions and fruits of that fpirit of love, which all the precepts of the gofpel enjoin, and which its influence tends to inspire. "Gentleness and meekness" are the founds ever recurring on our ear in the