Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament

³ We have heard by an example who the meek are: let us, if we can, define them in words. The meek are they, to whom in all their good deeds, in all the things they do well, nothing is pleasing but God; to whom in all the evils they suffer, God is not displeasing. Now, Brethren, attend to this rule, to this pattern; let us stretch ourselves out to it, let us seek for increase, that we may fill it. For what does it profit, that we plant, and water, except God shall give the increase?

“For neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase.” Give ear, whosoever you are, that would be “meek,” who would have “rest from the days of adversity, who lovest the law of God,” that there may be “no offense unto you,” and that you may “have great peace,” that you may “possess the earth, and delight in the multitude of peace;” give ear, whosoever you are that would be “meek.” Whatsoever good you do, be not pleased with yourself.

“For God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.” So then whatever good you do, let nought but God be pleasing to you; whatever evil you suffer, let not God be displeasing to you. What do you need more? Do this, and you shall live. The days of adversity shall not overwhelm you; you shall escape that which is said, “Woe unto the world because of offenses.” For to what world is there woe because of offenses, but to that of which it is said, “And the world knew Him not?” Not to that world of which it is said, “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.” There is an evil world, and there is a good world; the evil world, are all the evil men in this world; and the good world, all the good in this world.

As we observe frequently with a field. This field is full: of what? Of wheat. Yet we say also, and say truly too, This field is full of chaff. So with a tree, it is full of fruit. Another says, it is full of leaves. And both he who says it is full of fruit, says true; and he who says it is full of leaves, says true. Neither has the full display of leaves taken away the room for the fruit, nor the full display of the fruit driven off the abundance of leaves. It is full of both; but the one the wind searches out, the other the husbandman gathers in. So therefore when you hear, “Woe unto the world because of offenses,” be not afraid; “love the law of God, nothing shall be an offense to you.”