Excerpts From a Discourse on Meekness

By Matthew Henry; Edited by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades

Pray to God by His Spirit to Work in You

This excellent grace of meekness and quietness of spirit is a part of that comeliness which he puts upon the soul, and he must be sought unto for it. If any man lack this meekness of wisdom, let him ask it of God, who gives liberally, and does not upbraid us with our folly. When we begin at any time to be froward and unquiet, we must lift a prayer to Him who stills the noise of the sea, for that grace which establishes the heart. When David's heart was hot within him, the first word that broke out was a prayer. Psalm. 39:3 - 4. When we are surprised with a provocation, and begin to be in a ferment upon it, it will not only be a present diversion, but a sovereign cure, to lift up an ejaculation to God for grace and strength to resist and overcome the temptation: "Lord, keep me quiet now." Let your requests in this matter be made known to God; and "the peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds." You are ready enough to complain of unquiet people about you, but you have more reason to complain of unquiet passions within you; the other are but thorns in the hedge, these are thorns in the flesh, against which, if you beseech the Lord, as Paul did, with faith and fervency and constancy, you shall receive grace sufficient.

Word of God

Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God

Matthew 4:4

The Gospel According to Luke Chapter 3:9-11

9 Now also is the axe laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire. 10 Then the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 11 And he answered, and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him part with him that hath none: and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Brethren:

We are going to preface the next few days of study with a thought that would be wise to consider. Remember in the Gospel According to Matthew, Jesus is asked which are the two greatest commandments.  Consider those words, while reading the study. 

He answereth and saith unto them

By telling them what they should do; and he does not put them upon ceremonial observances, nor severe exercises of religion, nor even the duties of the first table of the law, and others of the second, though necessary to be done; but upon acts of beneficence and kindness, to fellow creatures in distress; and are what may be called love of our neighbour, and which involves the love of God, and so the whole law; for the one cannot be rightly exercised without the other.

He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none and he that hath meat, let him do likewise 

Note, he doest not say both of them, but one of them: a man is not obliged to go naked himself, in order to clothe another; and so the Persic and Ethiopic versions read, "let him give one to him that has not"; that has not a garment to wear. This is not to be understood strictly and literally, that a man is obliged to give one of his coats, if he has more than one, to a person in want of clothing; it will be sufficient to answer the intent of this exhortation, if he supplies his want another way, by furnishing him with money to buy one: the meaning is, that persons according to their abilities, and of what they can spare, should communicate to those that are in distress: much less is it to be concluded from hence, that it is not lawful for a man to have more coats than one. Secondly, he says that he that has a sufficiency of food, and more than enough for himself and family, let him give it freely and cheerfully to the poor and needy, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased: and when such acts of kindness are done in faith, from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God, they are the fruits of grace, and such as are meet for repentance, and show it to be genuine. John instances in these two articles, food and raiment, as containing the necessaries of human life, and including every thing, by which one may be serviceable to another.

Word of God

Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God

Matthew 4:4

The Gospel According to Luke 3:8

8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy amendment of life, and begin not to say with yourselves, We have Abraham to our Father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Brethren:

John knew the sentiments of their minds, and the prevailing opinion they had given into, against which he cautions them; as, that because they were Abraham's seed, they were in a state of salvation, in the favour of God, and had a right to all privileges and ordinances: this they trusted in, and boasted of, and would often think of it within themselves, pleasing themselves with the thoughts of it, and speak of it to others. 

The Baptist was aware how ready they would be to object this to him; and therefore prevents their plea from hence in favour of their admission to baptism, by assuring them, that this would have no weight with him, nor give them any right to the ordinance he administered: hence it appears that it is not a person's being born of believing parents that can entitle him to water baptism; or be a reason why it ought to be administered to him: if nothing more than this can be said in his favour, it is a plain case from hence, he ought to be debarred from it. The reason John gives why such a plea as this would be insufficient, for he assures them of it and it may be depended on as a certain truth. This seems to infer that God is indeed not a respecter of persons. It matters little, nay, not at all as to who you are and to what station you posses in life. One’s pedigree means nothing to Him, Who indeed was quite capable, as stated in scripture above, of making life out of the very stones lying there on the ground. 

Some by "the stones" understand the Gentiles, comparable to stones, both for the hardness of their hearts, and their idolatry in worshiping stocks and stones; of and among whom God was able to raise, and has raised up, a spiritual seed to Abraham; who are of the same faith with him, who walk in his steps, and whose father he is: but then it must be supposed, according to this sense, that there were some Gentiles present, since John calls them "these" stones, pointing to some persons or things, that were before him; wherefore I rather think that this phrase is to be taken literally, and that John pointed to some certain stones that were near him, within sight, and which lay upon the banks of Jordan, where he was baptizing; for what is it that the omnipotent God cannot do? He could as easily of stones make men, as make Adam out of the dust of the earth, and then make these men, in a spiritual sense, children of Abraham; that is, believers in Christ, and partakers of his "grace; for if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise", ( Galatians 3:29 ) . So that God stood in no need of these persons, nor had they any reason to boast of their natural descent from Abraham; since this in spiritual matters, and in things relating to the Gospel dispensation, would stand them in no stead, or be of any advantage to them.

Excerpts From a Discourse on Meekness

By Matthew Henry; Edited by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades

Take Time to Pause and Consider

Brethren:

It is a good rule, as in our communion with God, so in our converse with men, "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter any thing." When at any time we are provoked, delays may be as advantageous as in other cases they are dangerous. "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger." "I would beat thee," said Socrates to his servant, "if I were not angry;" but "he that is hasty of spirit," that joins in with his anger upon the first rise of it, "exalteth folly." The office of reason is to govern the passions; but then we must give time to act, and not suffer the tongue to overrun it. Some  have advised, when we are provoked to anger, to take at least so much time to deliberate as while we repeat the alphabet; and others have thought it more proper to repeat the Lord's prayer, and perhaps by the time we are past the fifth petition, "forgive our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us," we may be reduced into temper. It is a good rule, to "think twice before we speak once;" for he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. It was the noted saying of a great statesman in queen Elizabeth's court, "Take time, and we shall have done the sooner." Nor can there be any thing lost by deferring our anger; for there is nothing said or done in our wrath but it might be better said and better done in meekness.

Word of God

Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God

Matthew 4:4

The Gospel According to Luke Chapter 3:6

6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God

Brethren:

By the salvation of God" is meant, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of God's appointing and sending; and who is the author of that salvation which God resolved on, contrived, and approved of; and is his ordinance for salvation, unto the ends of the earth, for all his elect; ( Luke 2:30 ) whom a great number among the Jews should, and did see, with their bodily eyes; and whom not only God's elect among them, but also all of them among the Gentiles, should behold with an eye of faith, for themselves, as their Saviour and Redeemer. It is matter of question, what passage is here referred to; whether ( Isaiah 40:5 ) or ( Isaiah 3:10 ) the latter comes nearest to the words, and the former stands closely connected with the expressions before cited; though it is usual with the New Testament writers, to join together passages, which stand in different places of the same prophet, and even which are in different books; ( Romans 9:33 ) compared with ( Isaiah 8:14 ) ( 28:16 ) and ( Matthew 21:5 ) compared with ( Isaiah 62:11 ) ( Zechariah 9:9 ) and that agreeably to the method used by Jewish writers.

This great salvation shall be more fully discovered than ever, and the discovery of it shall spread further. All flesh shall see the salvation of God; not the Jews only, but the Gentiles. All shall see it; they shall have it set before them and offered to them, and some of all sorts shall see it, enjoy it, and have the benefit of it. When way is made for the gospel into the heart, by the captivation of high thoughts and bringing them into obedience to Christ, by the leveling of the soul and the removing of all obstructions that stand in the way of Christ and his grace, then prepare to bid the salvation of God

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.

Excerpts From a Discourse on Meekness

By Matthew Henry; Edited by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades

That is Truly Best for us Which is Most Pleasing and Acceptable to God

What else could it be other than a meek and quiet spirit is so. No principle has such a commanding influence upon the soul as that which has a regard to God, and wherein we approve ourselves to him. It was a good hint which the woman of Tekoah gave to David, when she was suing for a merciful sentence: "I pray thee, let the king remember the Lord thy God;" nor could any thought be more appeasing than that. Remember how gracious and merciful and patient God is; how slow to anger, how read forgive, and how well pleased he is to see his people like him: remember the eye of thy God upon thee, the love of thy God towards thee, and the glory of thy God set before thee. Remember how much it is thy concern to be accepted of God, and to walk worthy of thy relation to him, unto all well-pleasing; and how much meekness and quietness of spirit contributes to this, as it is consonant to that excellent religion which our Lord Jesus has established, and as it renders the heart a fit habitation for the blessed Spirit: "This is good an acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour," to lead a "quiet and peaceable life." It is a good evidence of our reconciliation to God, if we be cordially reconciled to every trying providence, which necessarily includes a meek behavior towards those who are any way instrumental in it. Very excellently does St. Austin remark on Psalm 122: Those please God who are pleased with him, and with all he does, whether immediately by his own hand, or mediately by the agency of provoking, injurious men. This is standing complete in all the will of God, not only his commanding, but his disposing will, saying without reluctance, The will of the Lord be done. He that acts from an honest principle of respect to God, and sincerely desires to be accepted of him, cannot but be in some measure adorned with that meek and quiet spirit which he knows to be in the sight of God of great price. Such as these are softening principles, and as many as walk according to these rules, peace shall be upon them, and mercy; and no doubt it shall be upon the Israel of God.