salvation; they entwine themselves | becomes, the sooner it will accomplish around the cross of Christ; they draw its end. their nourishment, and beauty, and life from him; they are watered by the tears of penitence; they are sustained by the spirit of prayer; they are pruned by the hand of adversity; they are refreshed and invigorated by the dews of divine influence and the sunshine of the divine presence; their fragrance and their fruit are devoted not to personal gratification, but to the divine glory; and they are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." verses. 66 The grace of Christian meekness commended by our Lord in the passage now under our consideration, is intimately connected with the consciousness of spiritual destitution and the godly sorrow for sin, mentioned in the preceding It grows out of these and is induced by them. It is natural for those who are in a state of destitution and want, to mourn, and it is natural for those who mourn to be lowly. We often see this apart altogether from religion. If I am in a state of destitution, if my gourds have withered, if my comforts have fled, if my friends have been removed from me, and my hearth has become desolate-in such a state of affliction it is natural for me to mourn. Taking these things deeply to heart as a man, and knowing nothing of the hopes and succours of the Christian, my sorrows may be too deep for utterance. But though seldom on my lips they may often be oppressing my heart and filling my eyes with bitter tears; they may be secretly but surely consuming my strength and wasting my spirit. In such a state of affliction and sorrow, lowliness of mind will be natural to me. I shall easily bear inconveniences and even injuries. If I feel that I am wronged, I shall but mourn the more, and the more secretly; I shall say it is but another ingredient in my cup of bitterness, and perhaps the more intense it VOL. X.-FOURTHI SERIES. But, as it has been already remarked, it is not every kind of poverty, it is not every kind of mourning, that our Lord pronounces blessed; the poverty, the mourning to which he gives great and precious promises, are of a peculiar kind; and the meekness which he commends and which grows out of them, partakes of their nature. Those who are conscious of their spiritual destitution, those who are sensible of their utter unworthiness, those who are bowed down because of their sinfulness, those who mourn deeply and constantly on account of the melancholy condition to which sin has reduced them-these will naturally be of a meek and quiet spirit, of a gentle and lowly mind, and this meekness will be of an evangelical character; it will spring out of a just estimate of themselves, it will be connected with right views of sin, it will prepare the mind for the reception of the gospel of peace. Christian meekness reveals itself in our conduct to our fellow creatures, and in the sentiments which we cherish towards God. The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit adorns the whole of his conduct who largely possesses it. Its mild radiance attends him wherever he may be—in the world, in the church, in the family, amongst superiors, amongst equals, amongst inferiors. It is seen in his forbearing spirit; he is not easily provoked, but he suffers long and is kind. It is seen in his forgiving spirit; he is not keen to detect an injury, nor quick to revenge it, but he is ready to forgive; he is not overcome of evil, but he seeks to overcome evil with good. It is seen in his efforts to restore the wanderer; he does it in the spirit of meekness, considering his own weakness, and knowing that he too is exposed to temptation. It is seen in his efforts to instruct the ignorant 5 с and the captious; he endeavours in meekness to instruct those that oppose themselves. It is seen in the manner in which he states his views, his hopes, and his prospects; he gives to him that asketh a reason of the hope that is in him with meekness and fear. It is seen in his conduct towards all men, under all circumstances; he is gentle, showing all meekness to all men. Equally beautiful and impressive are the exhortations of the apostle: "Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love." "Put on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Christian meekness reveals itself no less clearly in our spirit and conduct towards God. It is a patient, submissive, obedient spirit. 66 ferings, says, The cup which the Father giveth me to drink, shall I not drink it ?" "Not my will, but thine be done." And the meek are as obedient as they are submissive. They do not question God's right to command or to appoint. Whatsoever he saith to them it is their study to do; as it is their desire humbly and patiently to bear whatsoever he appoints. They have no will but his; no desire but that his gracious purposes may be accomplished in them and by them. II. Let us consider Christian meekness in relation to its IMPORTANCE. Meekness is represented in scripture as one of the ornaments of the Christian character. Thus we read of "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." Without it the Christian character is not finished, not complete; and as it is inestimable in the sight of God, so it is highly valued by men. Many who are far from possessing it themselves, and What patience and submission the who often speak in terms of high commeek have often displayed! We have mendation of the spirit of those who some beautiful illustrations of this in are governed by proud and irascible scripture. Aaron witnesses the most passions, know that meekness should appalling judgments on his own sons, ever constitute a marked feature in the and he opens not his mouth, because character of the Christian. They look God has done it. Eli hears the most for it in professors of religion; the abdistressing tidings, and he says, "It is sence of it in them is felt to be inconthe Lord; let him do what seemeth him sistent with their avowed principles; good." Job is visited with the most while the unaffected manifestation of overwhelming calamities, and he ex-it, under all circumstances, cannot fail claims, "Naked came I out of my to produce deep and salutary impresmother's womb, and naked shall I returnsions. thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." David, when in the depth of his distress, was insulted and cursed by a malignant wretch, who cast stones at him, and "cursed him still as he came;" but David said, "Let him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him." And Jesus, when sinking beneath the severity of his suf Meekness is not simply an ornament of the Christian character, it is one of its essential elements. It is represented in scripture as one of the fruits of the Spirit, and is inculcated as one of the virtues or graces necessary to the completeness of the new man. "The fruit of the Spirit," says the apostle, "is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Hence his exhortation to Timothy : 66 Thou, O man of God, follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” Christian meekness is of so much importance to every man, therefore, that, if destitute of it, he must be destitute of personal religion. This is evident, especially from the fact, that Christian meekness naturally grows out of that consciousness of spiritual poverty which constitutes the very first element of religion in the soul. Meekness is inseparable from that childlike spirit which our Lord so frequently represents as essential to the Christian character. How forcibly did our Lord impress this on the minds of his apostles: "Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Hence it is that meekness is essential to the right reception of the truth of the gospel. Thus the apostle James speaks: "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." And the language of Peter is like it: "Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evilspeakings, as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." Finally. Our divine Master was distinguished by gentleness and meekness; and he represents himself as our pattern in this very thing: "Learn of ine, for I am meek and lowly in heart ;" and in no other respect can we resemble him, except we imitate him in this. III. We must offer a remark or two on the ADVANTAGES of Christian meekness. The meek are pronounced 66 'blessed," and the promise is given to them that "they shall inherit the earth." The meek are happy. Imbued with the spirit which dictates the soft answer that turneth away wrath, and avoids the grievous words that stir up anger, they escape innumerable difficulties, disquietudes, and mortifications which are often severely felt by others; and are free from the restlessness, anxiety, and anguish of mind to which the proud and revengeful are constantly exposed, and from which they frequently suffer Hence the appropriateness and beauty of the promise which our Lord connects with the faithful imitation of his own spirit and conduct: "Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls." The promise is made to the meek that they "shall inherit the earth." In illustration of this it may be remarked, that the rewards which God promised to abedience under the Mosaic dispensation, were in a great measure of an earthly and temporal character; and the chief of these that which seemed to include every other-was the peaceful possession of the promised land. To the Israelite there was no joy like that of inheriting "the land of his fathers' sepulchres," and sitting "under his own vine and figtree, none making him afraid." And our Lord, in quoting these words from the thirty-seventh Psalm, conveyed to his hearers in language with which they were familiar, the highest idea of the advantages and blessings connected with the cultivation of the spirit of Christian meekness. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." The apostle assures us, that "godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." All things are made subservient to the well-being of the Christian family. All things are theirs, and are ordered for their good. They are heirs of all things; yea, they are inheritors of all things. They "inherit the earth." They enjoy it more the wicked down to the ground;" "The Lord arose to save all the meek of the earth." Heavy judgments are threatened to the wicked because they "turn aside the way of the meek;" for the meek of the earth.” As Jesus himself, the King of Sion, came to his people meek, so was he also "anointed to preach glad tidings to the meek.” than others do, and derive from it more good. How fully does experience confirm the varied and beautiful language of scripture on this subject: "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked;" "Better" and the Lord will reprove with equity is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right;""Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith;" yea, “Better is a dry morsel, and quiet-"All the meek of the earth” are espeness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife." It is said that a good man, while meditating on the words of Jesus which are now under our consideration, heard the voice of prayer and thanksgiving proceed from a lowly cottage which he was passing by; opening the door, he saw a poor woman gratefully partaking of a crust of dry bread, with a cup of cold water; and was struck with the fine illustration which the scene afforded of the truth of his Lord's words. Yes, verily, i "blessed are the meek, for they do inherit the earth.” cially encouraged to "seek the Lord;" for " he will beautify the meek with salvation;" and "the meek shall increase their joy in the Lord." "Blessed,” truly, therefore, “are the meek;" for they shall not only "inherit the earth,” but they “shall inherit all things." Eventually the meek “shall reign on the earth;" their cause will prove everywhere triumphant. And this great work will be achieved, not by cherishing ambitious views, but by exemplifying the spirit of meekness, and diffusing the influence of the gospel of peace. Let us, then, see to it that we cultivate "this grace also." In order to this, let us dwell much on our actual condition, our real character as sinners in the sight of God; let us drink deeply into the spirit of our great Master; and But the promises made in scripture to the meek are very numerous, and are worthy of our serious attention. "The meek shall eat and be satisfied;” “The meek will he guide in judgment; the meek will he teach his way;” “The ¦ let us abound in prayer for the Spirit Lord lifteth up the meek; he casteth of all grace. THE WISDOM OF GOD IN THE SALVATION OF MEN. BY THE LATE REV. A. CARSON, LL.D. THE transcendency of the divine wisdom and power appears in this scheme, not merely from harmonizing the attributes of God in man's salvation, but also in making those things that were naturally calculated to affront God and ruin man turn to God's greater glory and man's greater happiness. That sin is an affront to the divine character, and an affront that no wisdom but that of God could devise a way of wiping off, is clear from the opinion of Satan. His wisdom, though exceedingly great, could give him no conception of the way that sin could turn out to the glory of God. Had he thought so he never could have tempted our first parents. But by the intro duction of sin there was opened a field for the greatest display of the glory of God that ever was made. Had not sin entered into the world, there would have been no opportunity of displaying mercy consistently with justice, and glorifying the holiness of God at the same time with his grace. The believer's final happiness is also increased by the fall. However divines may speculate about what would have been ultimately the portion of the human race had they abode in innocence, all that Adam could expect was a happy life in this world. But by the entrance of sin, those who are saved, are raised to heavenly glory. Where sin abounded, grace has much more abounded.-See Rom. v. The happiness of the believer is then greater than that of Adam in innocence, by an inconceivable degree. That these effects should flow from the death of Christ is so wonderful, that no wisdom could devise the plan but that of God. Even the wisdom of Satan could not perceive it, else he would not have instigated Judas to betray him, nor the Jews to crucify the Lord of glory. What can be a greater evidence of power and wisdom than the making the wisest and most powerful schemes of an enemy, not only without effect, but to defeat their purpose and bring about what they even intended to prevent? Such is the wisdom and power of God in the plan of redemption. All the wisdom and power of Satan, and all his principalities and powers, have been exerted not merely in vain, but have been made to forward the cause they were intended to defeat. The plan also which God has employed to secure the obedience of his people, discovers his wonderful power and wisdom. The belief of this atonement is the apparently weak and foolish, but in reality the wise and powerful means of making men live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Almighty power and infinite wisdom are seen daily in the success of this depised means. The plan of salvation, therefore, is every where in Scripture extolled as the most illustrious display of divine power and wisdom. Of this salvation the apostle Paul writes thus: "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord."-Eph. iii. 8-11. We see from this that the plan of salvation manifests the manifold wisdom of God to the highest orders of created intelligences. The doctrine of the atonement the same apostle calls the power of God and the wisdom of God-1 Cor. i. 18-24. It manifests the almighty power of God, in doing that which to human wisdom appears impossible; it manifests infinite wisdom in contriving a plan that gives the utmost limit to all the divine attributes, and harmonizes them in their opposite claims. The news of this plan was announced by the angels with an ascription of glory to God; and throughout all the New Testament it is considered as displaying his glory more than all his other works. There is wisdom and power in the creation and formation of the heavens and the earth; but there is greater wisdom and power in the redemption of sinners by the blood of Christ. The wisdom of the plan of redemption is so far beyond the reach of man's sagacity, that the apostle Paul, quoting from Isaiah, declares that no conception of it had ever entered into the human mind.-1 Cor. |