Vol 16 - THE FOURTH EXERCISE.

THE FOURTH EXERCISE.
Every day study Humility.
THIS is an Exercise peremptorily commanded in Matt. xsiii.3, 4; Luke 14:7-8 James 4:6. " Learn of me," says the Son or GOD, " for I am meek, and lowly in heart. (Matthew 11:29.) Learn of me! What Not to raise the dead, not to cleanse the lepers, not to cast out Devils, not to give sight to the blind, not to make the deaf tohear, not to walk on the water;. no, but learn of me humility:; in this exercise yourselves daily. 4.nd indeed greater humility has no man shown; for being "in the form of God, and thinking it no robbery to be equal with God he humbled himself, and took upon him the form of a servant And became obedient to the death of the cross." He is a truly` humble man, that does despise himself, and is contented to be' counted vile and wretched; that refers all the honor, done to himself, unto Gob, and rejoices in being despised, and despises praise and glory; that compares his sins with the good works of others, and upon that account looks upon himself as the chief of sinners; that affects no, applause in what he does for GOD or his neighbor; that is contented his infirmities should be known bears injuries patiently, is glad of mean employment to show his love to GOD, does not care for being known, looks upon himself as nothing, is circumspect mid" modest,’ delights not in superfluous talk, nor in laughter, fixes his eyes on the ground with the Publican, is ashamed to lift them up to heaven, smites upon his breast, and cries, from a mighty sense of his own vileness', u LORD, be merciful to me a sinner; " that mistrusts himself, sets no high value on what he doth, contemns the pomp and grandeur of the world, admires nothing but Go n, and is wellpleased with being made as the filth of the world, and as the off scouring of all things; that does think himself unworthy of the least crumb he eats, and of the least drop of drink he drinks; and, though the circumstances he is under, and the place, office, calling, and condition he is in, bid him use discretion, in showing and expressing his humility, yet, in his mind, throws himself at the feet, not only of equals and superiors, but of infeliars too, and could be contented to wash the feet of the meanest servant of his Louis; that can hear a friendly check with meekness, can ask forgiveness, in case he does unawares offend, before others, and is contented men should misconstrue his innocent words, actions, gestures;. and behavior, so that GOD does but know the pious and holy designs he has in them; that is contented, that those whom he loves, and in whom he trusted, and who have been kind to him, should forsake him, abandon him, and. persecute him, and can bear with the ingratitude of men, to whom he has done many good turns, and can find more satisfaction in the light of God's countenance, than other men do in the favors and presents of the greatest monarchs; that can be content to see his neighbor honored, and himself slighted; that submits to the will of GOD in all things, and " both hopes and quietly waits for the salvation of the LORD."
And this is that humility which the Gospel presses, and whereof the Captain of our Salvation has given us so illustrious an example. This is that virtue which CASSIAN justly calls the cornerstone of all virtues, the foundation of religion, the ladder to intimate converses with the ALMIGHTY, and. a. gift beyond that of miracles; and this is that employment, which justly deserves our care, labor, and exercise.
When AUSTIN, the Monk, had summoned the British Bishops and Clergy to conform to the Church of Rome, and to yield obedience and submission to that See, the Britons consulted with a certain. holy man, to know whether he thought. it expedient for them to submit to AUSTIN or not. The good old man told them, that if they found him to be a man of God, and a true follower of JESUS, they should not di spute. their submission; and the only way to know that, he said, was, to see and take notice whether he were a meek and humble man: if he were, it was a certain sign that he bore the yoke of Cnn1ST; but. if. stout and proud, whatever his pretences might be, he could not be of God. And accordingly when they found that the insolent Monk carried it with a high hand, and scarcely vouchsafed to salute them, they rejected his proud dictates, though it was with the loss of their lives.
We See how valleys are laden with fruit. and corn, and enamelled, with. flowers, while the higher mountains remain barren and unfruitful. O, Christians, did you but know what treasures he hid in this Exercise, you would be so far from counting it troublesome, that you; would be ambitious of. it. In this Exercise consisteth the mystery of religion: the richest influences of heaven come down upon the soul, that looks upon herself as nothing. To her the ALMIGHTY reveals himself; and here he is ready to build tabernacles; the sweetest communications of grace are vouchsafed to him that is acquainted with this lowliness; into such' a heart the joys of the HOLY GHOST flow with a tip ring tide; if a man would understand the secrets of the Louis, this is the school where he may learn them;, and if he become a great proficient here, he may promise himself a more than ordinary intercourse between GOD and his soul
I conclude this Exercise with a passage out of a, learned Jew: a The advantages of humility," says he, " consist in, six particulars; three whereof respect this present, and three the next life. 1st. It makes a man content in all conditions.' When any person is proud and arrogant, the whole world is not able to satisfy his lofty thoughts; much less that which GOD has appointed for his portion: but he that is humble lives contented, and is satisfied with what Providence has allotted him. 2dly. The humble man bears adversity patiently; whereas the proud man's fear is great, and his patience inconsiderable, when troubles • come upon him. idly. The humble man is grateful and acceptable to men, and men love and esteem him."—And to this purpose I must tell you a story of a King, who being asked how he came to be so great, answered, " That he never saw any man whom he did not esteem wiser than himself; and those that he looked upon to be wiser than himself, them he ever thought to fear GOD more than himself: and if he met with any that was manifestly more foolish than himself; the presently reflected, that this man would have a less account to give unto GOD in the last day than himself: if he met with any that were older than himself, he thought that their merits must needs be greater than his own; and if those he met with were younger than himself, he considered that their sins must needs be fewer than his own: if he met with any of his equals, their heart, thought he, in all likelihood, is better than mine; if they were richer than himself, he considered that they did more good in the world than himself; if poorer, that then. by reason of their poverty, they must needs have more humble and contrite hearts, and therefore be better than himself."—4thly. The humble man arrives at true and solid wisdom before other men, not only because he is desirous to learn, and loves to sit at the feet of his teachers, but GOD also helps him to attain unto more than ordinary wisdom; whereas the proud' and haughty, being does to learn that which crosses, flesh and blood, remain ignorant of the most solid Wis_5:1-23 thly. The humble man runs more cheerfully in the ways of GOD’s testimonies; boggles at nothing that GOD commands; and expresses alacrity and readiness at the voice of the greatest and weightiest, as well as at the least and easiest precepts. 6thly. The humble man's devotion is the only acceptable devotion to GOD; his sins are pardoned, and his iniquities. are forgiven: " For a humble and a contrite heart, GOD, you wilt not despise."
THE PRAYER.
O YOU Lofty and Holy One, who inhabitest eternity, and dwellest in the high and holy place,_ and with him also that is of an humble spirit! Whither shall I go, but to thee, who host the words of eternal life! How shall I get this humble spirit but by thy power and influence!. Ah! how proud is niy heart! How does am I to submit to thy will! How does to think ill of myself! How does to bear injuries! How does to converse with thy poor members! How does to be sensible of my errors! How does to acknowledge a fault! And yet, all this while, I believe that you beholdest the proud afar off, and that nothing is more abominable inithy sight! How apt am I to admire myself! How apt to harbor high conceits of my endowments! How’ apt to hunt' after the praise of men! And what is all this but wind What is it but smoke, and air, and vanity How suddenly do these things grow, and how suddenly do they die again! How sensual, how’ carnal, must that soul be, that minds such things! How void, of a sense of greater beauties! How little affected, how little touched with the honor that comes from God! How weak in grace is he who has not learned yet to leap, over such straws. This is. my case, O Lord'; Ii am that weak, that empty soul, and yet unwilling to confess that I am' proud, and vain, and lifted up! pity me, O my GOD; make me sensible how far I am from the kingdom of GOD, till humility brings me nearer. Crash whatever proud thoughts and desires you spiest' in me. O put me in mind of my duty, whenever any vain thoughts. rise in my soul. Pull down in me all imaginations that exalt themselves against CHRIST JESUS. O let not'my: hetirt be haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; neither let me exercise myself in things too high for me. Give me a sight of my own vileness. Let me not be cheated with false colours. Let thy greatness overawe my soul. Let the example of my Savior work upon me. How shall I be his disciple, and think of myself above what I ought to think Let Goan arise, and let all my vain conceits of mine own worth be scattered. What am I but a handful of dust What am I but a beggar, and thy pensioner, who live upon thy charity O let these thoughts subdue my soul. Make me as ambitious of an humble spirit, and lowly mind, as others are of the greatness and admiration of the world. O let a deep sense of my guilt humble me; then shall I, with the penitent prodigal, be welcome in my FATHER'S house, and my soul shall live, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen.