My God and My Country

Excerpts From a Discourse on Meekness

By Matthew Henry‭; ‬Edited by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades

Keep out of the way of provocation, 

Stand upon your guard against it.‭ ‬While we are so very apt to offend in this matter,‭ ‬we have need to pray,‭ ‬and to practice accordingly,‭ "‬Lord,‭ ‬lead us not into temptation.‭" ‬Those are enemies to themselves and to their own peace,‭ ‬as well as to human society,‭ ‬who seek occasion of quarrel,‭ ‬who fish for provocations and dig up mischief‭; ‬but meek and quiet people will,‭ ‬on the contrary,‭ ‬studiously avoid even that which is justly provoking,‭ ‬and will see it as if they saw it not.‭ ‬Those that would not be angry must wink at that which would stir up anger,‭ ‬or put a favorable construction upon it.‭ ‬The advice of the wise man is very good to the purpose:‭ "‬Also take no heed to all words that are spoken,‭ ‬lest thou hear thy servant curse thee‭;" ‬and it is better for thee not to hear it,‭ ‬unless thou canst hear it patiently,‭ ‬and not be provoked to sin.‭ ‬It is a common story of Cotys,‭ ‬that being presented with a cupboard of curious glasses,‭ ‬he returned his thanks to his friend that had sent them,‭ ‬and gratified the messenger that brought them,‭ ‬and then deliberately broke them all,‭ ‬lest by the casual breaking of them severally,‭ ‬he should be provoked to passion.‭ ‬And Dion relates it,‭ ‬to the honor of Julius Caesar,‭ ‬that Pompey's cabinet of letters coming to his hand‭  ‬he would not read them because he was his enemy,‭ ‬and he would be likely to find in them that which would increase the quarrel‭; "‬and therefore,‭" ‬as Dr.‭ ‬Reynolds expresses it,‭ "‬he chose rather to make a fire on his hearth than in his heart.‭"

But seeing‭ "‬briars and thorns are with us,‭" ‬and we‭ "‬dwell among scorpions,‭" ‬and‭ "‬it must needs be that offences come,‭" ‬let us be so much the more careful,‭ ‬as we are when we go with a candle among powder,‭ ‬and exercise ourselves to have consciences void of offense,‭ ‬nor apt to offend others,‭ ‬nor to resent the offences of others.‭ ‬When we are at any time engaged in business or company where we foresee provocation,‭ ‬we must double our watch,‭ ‬and be more than ordinarily circumspect.‭ "‬I will keep my mouth with a bridle,‭" ‬says David,‭ ‬that is,‭ ‬with a particular actual care and diligence,‭ ‬while the wicked is before me,‭ ‬and frequent act‭  ‬will confirm the good disposition and bring it to a habit.‭ ‬Plutarch advises‭ "‬to set some time to ourselves for special strictness‭; ‬so many days or weeks,‭ ‬in which,‭ ‬whatever provocations do occur,‭ ‬we will not suffer ourselves to be disturbed by them.‭" ‬And thus he supposes,‭ ‬by degrees,‭ ‬the habit of vicious anger may be conquered and subdued.‭ ‬But after all,‭ ‬the grace of faith has the surest influence upon the establishment and quietness of the spirit:‭ ‬faith establishes the mercy of God,‭ ‬the meekness of Christ,‭ ‬the love of the Spirit,‭ ‬the commands of the word,‭ ‬the promises of the covenant,‭ ‬and the peace and quietness of the upper world‭; ‬this is the approved shield,‭ ‬with which we may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one,‭ ‬and all his wicked instruments.