July 29

JULY 29.—“Receive with meekness the ingrafted word.”—James i. 21.

NOTHING is spoken of in the Scripture more commonly or with more commendation than meekness. It is often made the subject of promise. We read, “The meek will be guide in judgment: The meek will be teach his way:” “He will beautify the meek with salvation:” “The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” It is also frequently enjoined in a way of duty. Indeed it would seem that no part of our Christian calling can be perfectly or properly discharged without it. If we would heal the backslider, we are to do it “in the spirit of meekness.” If we would teach gainsayers, “in meekness we are to instruct those that oppose themselves.” And if we would receive the ingrafted word, we must receive it “with meekness.” This regards the understanding, the heart, and the life.

It requires the acquiescence of the understanding, with regard to the mysteries of the Gospel—This will keep us from proud cavils and reasonings; and cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. After God has spoken we shall not ask, “How can these things be?” All our concern with the Scripture will be to inquire, Is this the word of God? and what does it really contain? For nothing should then remain but the most implicit assent. We make God a liar if we do not believe what he affirms; and because he affirms it. Our faith does not honour his testimony if it must be founded on knowledge. If on your reporting any thing, concerning, for instance, a place, a person should say, I will believe it as soon as I have been there and seen for myself; would you not deem this an insult, either to your knowledge or veracity? Yet if we believe the testimony of man, the testimony of God is greater. Men may delude us; but it is impossible for God to lie. We must therefore “receive the kingdom of heaven as a little child;” who never sets up himself against the judgment of his father, or questions the truth of his decisions: or, as the Apostle says, we must “become fools that we may be wise.” Is this degrading my understanding? It is improving, perfecting it; it adds God’s intelligence to my own—“In his light we see light.”

It requires also the submission of the heart, as to the provisions of the Gospel. Speaking of the Jews, the Apostle says, “They did not submit themselves to the righteousness which is of God; for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” The word seems strange. Should we say, a subject did not submit himself to accept of an invitation to the king’s table? Was there ever an instance in which, when a rebel taken in arms, and condemned to die, was presented with a pardon, accompanied with a promise of more than restoration to all his former estate, he refused the mercy? and his sovereign was constrained to send his servants and his son to beseech him to submit? Yet God beseeches sinners by us; and we pray them in Christ’s stead to be reconciled unto God. And herein appears not only the insensibility of man, but the pride of his yet self-righteous heart. He wishes to be saved in his own way, and to be his own Saviour. He revolts at the