The Power of Godliness, Book 1 · Chapter 10
CHAP. X. The ninth Property of a godly life, viz. Humility and Meekness. What things are therein employed. Reasons to perswade us to labour after Humility. The Effects or Evidences thereof, with the Course to be taken for the obtaining and preserving an humble Spirit.
Q. WHat is the ninth Property of a godly life?
Zeph. 2.3. 2 Chro. 12.7. Mic. 6.8. Eph. 4.2. Col. 3 12.A. It must be humble and meek. Seek the Lord, all ye meek of the Earth, who have wrought his judgment, seek righteousness, seek meekness. What doth the Lord require of thee, but to walke humbly with thy God? These are not particular vertues which sometime onelyonly may have use, but such fruits of the spirit as necessarily are required in all actions: so that at no time, humbleness of minde, or meekness of spirit may be wanting. Although there be many goodly gifts in man, yet if he have not these, they shall lose their credit and beauty amongst those that behold them, and withhold their commodity from him who wanteth them. Humility is like a Purveyor that takes up all the graces of the spirit that are to be had; And though he sit lowest in the Schoole, yet he is the best Scholar and learnes most Lessons.
Q. What things are implied in this Humility?
A. First, Spirituall poverty, wherein out of conscience of our emptiness and inability to guide, direct, support, and set forward our selves in the way of godliness, we continually seek unto God for comfort, and strength to proceed therein, in whom is all fulness and sufficiency. Spiritual poverty is a free and willing acknowledgment of our indebtedness and dependency on Gods grace for grace. Mat. 5.4 Blessed are the poor in spirit; that is, he who being poor and needy in his own conceit,Luk 9.48. doth fly unto God to be enriched with his grace. But the humble and meek are poor in spirit, as it is manifest by that of Solomon: Better is it to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, then to divide the spoile with the proud, Prov. 16.19. And that of the Psalmist, Psal. 9.18. Psal. 72.2.4 12, 13. He shall spare the poor and the needy, and save the souls of the needy. And herewith all is joyned a renouncing of all self-sufficiency,2 Cor. 3.5. 1 Cor. 4.7. and confidence in our strength and vertue, as if by them we were able to do any thing. Humility teaches a man to set a true estimate upon himself, and rate himself as God rates him. Secondly, It implies such a disposition, whereby we are apt to submit our selves to the good will of God, and to receive and execute his Commandement. For it resignes our reason as not worth obeying, and our own will as not worth following. Here are we as in the presence of God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God, Act. 10.33. Humble your selves under the mighty hand of God, 1 Pet. 5.6. Thirdly, It notes a quiet and calme subjection to the pleasure of God, in what condition or state soever he is pleased to set us, with what crosses or afflictions soever he is pleased to exercise us, waiting upon him by faith, till he send deliverance in due time. An humble man is never without a cooler of his fiery passions. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him, Lam. 3.28, 29. He putteth his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope, Psal. 39.9. Job. 1.21. & 39.37. I quieted my soul as a childe that is weaned of his Mother. Psal. 131.1, 2. 2 Sam. 15.25, 26.That is, I freely resigned my self to the will of God, and kept my heart even, that it did not incline too much on either side. Thus Job, Job 1.21, 22. blessed God in his affliction, when he had lost his Substance, Cattle, Servants and Children. Fourthly, As an humble man denies himself, so doth he freely acknowledge that all good things that are in him, or that are done by him, do come not from any worth or ability in him, but from the free undeserved goodness of God, and so carrieth himself as if his prosperity being changed into adversity, he should presently feele misery and sorrow. True humility is to give all glory unto God, and none to our selves. To ascribe nothing to our own power, Deut. 8.17. Nothing to our own merit, Deut. 9.5. Esa. 40.6. Psal. 30.2, 3. 1 Pet 1.24. 1 Chro. 29.12, 13, 14. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thy hand is power and might, and in thy hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious Name. Submissio cum silentio, ad judicia Dei. Psal. 39.5. 1 Sam. 3.18. Joh. 1.21. & 39.37. Sancta admiratio viarum Dei, quae sunt impervestigabiles. Job 42.3. Rom. 11.33.34.But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. Job 3.26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet. Fifthly, An humble heart hath all boasting of his own righteousness before God in great detestation, and presents it self as miserable and wretched before the Throne of grace, intreating to be accepted of meer grace in and through Jesus Christ. The Pharisee may boast thus with himself, God I thank thee, that I am not as other men, Luk. 18.11, 13. But the poor Publican will pray, God be mercifull to me a sinner, Rom. 4.2. Abraham hath not whereof to boast before God; He hath not that perfect exact righteousness which the Law requireth. Sixthly,Psal. 13.1. Eph. 5.21. Gal. 5.13. Rom. 13.4. Phil. 2.3. Humility comprehends an inclination, whereby we are prompt and ready to subject our selves to all men as our places require, and love exacteth; to shew our selves humane and gentle to our inferiours. 1 Pet. 5.5. Likewise, ye younger, submit your selves unto the elder, ye all of you be subject one to another.
Q. What Reasons may perswade to labour after humility?
A. 1. The Lord will arise for the defence of the humble poor,Psal. 12.5. & 9.18. Psal 68.10. Esa. 11.4. foreign Job. 22.29 and set him at liberty, even firme, constant and durable, from him that puffeth at him. Therefore the godly pray in faith; Forget not the Congregation of the poor for ever, Psal. 74 19. When God shall arise to Judgment, he will save the meek of the earth, Psal 76.9. 2. The Lord lifteth up the meek, Psal 147.6. They may be contemned and trampled upon by men, they shall be protected, defended, raised up and honoured by the Lord. He will beautifie the meek with salvation, Psal. 149.4. Humble your selves under the mighty hand of God, 1 Pet. 5 6. Jam. 4.10. foreign Prov. 15.33. & 18.12. foreign Prov. 29.23. Prov. 22.4. Luk. 14.10. 1 Sam. 25.41, 42. Luk. 5.8, 9, 10 Luk. 18.14.that he may exalt you in due time. Humility is the way to honour and true advancement, not through their seeking, but by the blessing of God, who casteth it upon them when they are cast down at his feet. The opinion of men is, that if a man be lowly and meek, and will not put forth himself, he shall never be had in reputation, come to any preferment, he shall be despised and troden under feet: but the wisdome which is from above assureth, that the direct way to climb safely, is to lay the foundation in humility. Abigail thought her self scarce worthy to be a Servant to wash the feet of the Servants of King David, when she became his Wife. And as for that true and heavenly honour which is vouchsafed to the Saints in the world to come, who knoweth not that humility is the direct way that leadeth thereunto? Of Christ it is said, Phil. 2.8, 9 That he first humbled himself to the death of the Crosse, and was after highly exalted to glory; Now if we would reigne with him, we must be like-minded unto him. Except ye be converted, and become as little Children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Mat. 18.3, 4. 1 Cor. 14.20. 3. The most high and excellent who inhabiteth eternity, hath promised to dwell with the humble and contrite spirit, foreign Isa. 57.15. Phil. 2.1, 2, 3. foreign Psal. 138.6. 2 Sam. 6.22. Psal. 136.23.to revive the spirit of the humble. The lowly heart is a glorious Palace and Habitation, which is continually enlightned with the beames of his love, favour, and grace. The Lord is high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly. To this man will I look, even to him, that is poor and of a contrite spirit, Job 66.2. 4. God will hear the cries of the humble, and bend his ear unto their Prayers. Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble, Psal. 9.12. Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear, Psal. 10.17 That is, thou dost not neglect their Prayers, or pass by them with a deafe ear, but diligently attend unto them as in a serious matter. 5. The meek shall eat and be satisfied, Psal 22.27. Yea, they shall dwell in the Land, and be fed assuredly, Psal. 37.11. Which is ever spiritually fulfilled, they shall be fed at the Banquet of the Gospel, and their souls satisfied with inward consolation, as with fatness and marrow; also when this life is ended they shall be received into everlasting glory; and as for the things of this life, they shall have for contentation and salvation, though not for abundance. 6. God will look unto them, Esa. 66.2. Give them grace, 1 Pet. 5.4. Lift them up, Jam 4.7, 8. Enrich them with all blessings, Prov. 22.4. & 29.23. God will make the meek to tread in judgment, and will learn the meek his way, Psal. 25.9. That is, he will guide them to walke judiciously, as is right and fit, to judge rightly of all crosses and afflictions that do befall them, that they are not signes of wrath, but fruits of love: yea, he will not only begin his instruction, but continue it all the daies of their life, dealing with them according to their strength and ability. 7. God gives grace to the humble, enriching their hearts with the infallible pledges of his favour, and refreshing them with the living Waters of the Spirit, which maketh them fruitfull Trees of righteousness, bearing much fruit to the glory of God and their own comfort. An humble heart is a well ordered Garden, of rich soile, plentifully watered and stored with variety of all delightfully flowers and profitable herbes. Humility is a grace, that is the keeper of graces, yea, it is an increaser of them. So a Christians chief way of aspiring is by humility. On the other side, if grace be followed by pride, pride lessens that wherein it seeks to fasten her roots: for grace will lessen as pride increaseth. 8. The lowly in heart are excellent in wisedome, which doth bring glory. Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge amongst you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of Wisdom, Jam 3.13. 9. Good works without humility are nought worth. For excellent works with loftiness of minde, do not lift up, but oppress and overwhelme. He that gathereth vertues without humility, is like the man that carrieth dust in the wind. In a Christian life humility is the first, second and third thing; it must goe before, accompany and follow all our actions. Humiliation hath this priviledge, that he that is thus made low cannot fall, for there is nothing lower then the earth.
Q. What are the Effects and Evidences of Humility?
A. 1. An humble heart is apprehensive of Gods Majesty and his own vileness, when he is to appeare before the Throne of grace, he layeth aside all conceit of worth. Thus Abraham abaseth himself to the dust in his presence, Gen. 18.27, 30. Let not my Lord be angry, and I will speak, who am but dust and ashes. Eccl 5.1, 2, 3. 4, 5. 2 Sam. 6.22.2. In all things it seeketh the glory of God, though with its proper disgrace. Ye men of Israel, why marvell ye at this? or why looke ye so earnestly upon us, as though by our own power and holiness we had made this man to walke? Act. 3.12. Pride challengeth all glory to himself, being grieved that others should be preferred: but the lowly mind is well contented with any disparagement, that may redound to the glory of God, Ye your selves beare me witness, that I said, I am not of Christ, but that I am sent before him, Joh. 3.28. The friend of the Bridegroom rejoyceth greatly because of the Bridegroomes voice. This my joy therefore is fulfilled. 3. True humility teacheth to worship God purely according to his appointment and the direction of his Word. It may carry a shew of humbleness of mind, it is gross presumption, for a man of himself to attempt any thing in the matter of Gods worship. It is a thing beyond his reach to prescribe how the most high will be served. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of Angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puft up by his fleshly mind, Col. 2.18. 4. The humble are ever thankfull and forward to sing the praises of God: for they esteeme themselves less then the least of his mercies, 1 Chro. 29.13, 14, 15. They shall praise the Lord that seek him, Psal. 22 26. Thy Sants shall bless thee, they shall speak of the glory of thy Kingdom, and talke of thy power, Psal. 145.10. 5.An hunger starved begger, give of the coursest, or but a little, Oh, it is good Master. A lowly man composeth and fitteth his mind according to the Word of God, which he admitteth as his only counsellor He will attempt nothing without direction from the truth; In afflictions he quieteth his heart, and will not fret or murmur against the Lord, nor use unlawfull meanes for his deliverance. He will not meddle with other mens matters, but keep himself within the limits of his proper Calling. He will not in confidence of his wisdome or strength, thrust himself into the practice of things too high for him: but in humility waite till the Lord shall call him forth. Lord my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty, neither do I exercise my self in great matters, or in things too high for me, Psal. 131.1. 6. Proud men deride judgement, and cast off the Commandements, either stubbornly resisting, or slighty regarding what the Lord hath spoken: but the humble with fear and trembing submit themselves to the universall obedience of Gods Law. Hear, and obey, be not proud, for the Lord hath spoken. 7.Iam. 1.21. Ier. 13.15. Psal. 9.12. The humble are much in supplications. He that hath no confidence, findes no conceited fulness in himself, will seek abroad for supply of his wants. When we understand that of our selves we can resist no temptation, endure no cross patiently, do no good duty, promise no good success to our labours, use no mercy well without Gods continuall aide, support and blessing; how earnest shall we be to seek helpe from on high? Surely he will ply the seate of mercy both early and late, that feels this spirituall emptiness in himself. 8. If the heart be humble it is easily wrought to remorse for sinne: but pride knoweth not to confess, Luk. 18.11. But if the heart be humble it will quickly bleed at the remembrance of what hath been or is amisse, and fall to free and hearty confession. Thus it is noted of Josiah, 2 Chro. 32.26.That his heart was tender, and he humbled himself before God, when he heard his word against Judah and Jerusalem, 2 Chro. 34.27. 9. Pride causeth repining at the good credit and advancement of others, specially our equals: but the humble rejoyce at their Brethrens welfare. The humble shall hear it, and be glad, Psal. 34.2. 10. The humble do all things without reasoning or murmuring, esteeming others better then themselves. In speech they talke not of high matters and proud things, Phil. 4.11. 11. The humble do highly prize or esteeme the favour of God, Psal. 119.74 12. An humbled begger will stay your leasure: So the poor in spirit have learned to submit and waite till it pleaseth God to look down.
Q. What course should be taken for the Obtaining and Preservation of this Humility?
A. First, Acquaint thy self with the want of this grace, and the excellent beauty of it, the benefit it bringeth, the promises made unto it. Most see not that they are proud, few how deeply it hath infected them: many have humility in contempt, as if it were a disgrace, not an Ornament; there is not one of many hundreds that doth truely possess the comforts of it. These are the reasons why it lieth contemned, and is not looked after. Thy height of pride may be discerned, by inordinate swelling, boisterous passions that move within thee, by discontent, carnall anger, self-conceitedness, secret grudgings at the prosperity of others, and bold attempting of lawfull affaires without asking leave and seeking help of God. Thy scantness in humility, by dulness in prayer, remissness in praises, spirituall fulness, that takes away appetite after heavenly things, and makes the exercises of Religion unsavoury; that hinders digestion of the word by hearty meditation, and causeth a secure going on from day to day as if we needed not greatly the assistance of God. When the stomack is clogged with meate, men come to their meales as though they regarded it not, they feele not the want of it: So fareth it with the soul when it is surcharged with spirituall fullness; men come to prayer, hear the Word, read the Scriptures, but as if their necessity did not require them. If we try our selves by these things, we shall easily perceive how farre short we come in this duty of humility. The excellency of humility is this, that it is the Basis of other vertues,1 Pet. 5.6. the precious Garment of a Christian, that doth more adorn him then Pearles or precious Stones. As for the comfort of it, God will dwell with the humble, they shall walke in sweet Communion with him; he will enrich them with his graces, and they shall beare much and good fruit. The lowly are freed from those boisterous lusts, distracting cares, and unbridled passions that torment and vex the heart, more then any crosses or cruell enemies. Who would not stirre up himself to get the possession of a grace so necessary, so excellent, so comfortable in every respect? Secondly, By faith look up to Christ, and walke with him, who is meek and lowly in heart, Mat. 11.29. & 21.5. Friends that converse much together, do much resemble each other in manners, speeches, behaviour. If we walke in the Sunne we shall be died with its hue: If we commune much with Christ, we shall grow like unto him. Earnest and often cogitations imprint the Image of the object upon the heart. Christ the Sonne of God became poor, that he might enrich us; he humbled himself to the death, that we might be advanced unto glory: he endured hunger, reproach, poverty, and dispitefull usage contentedly. His whole life was a life of sorrowes, yet did he never repine or complain. Look upon his sufferings, he was falsly accused, buffeted, spit upon, whipped, condemned and nailed to the Cross: yet he opened not his mouth. His example is a perfect Samplar of humility, whereunto we should compose our selves. Christ is our Captaine, followers must imitate there Guide and Leader. Christ suffered for us what our sinnes deserved: and if he did patiently beare the punishment of our transgressions, for his sake it becomes us to endure whatsoever it shall please God to lay upon us. Thirdly, Remember thou standest in need of a Saviour. What art thou in thy self, but the Vassall of Sathan, accursed by the sentence of the Law, subject to eternall wrath? It is of grace through Christ that thou art delivered from everlasting confusion. If a man have held up his hand at the Barr, and been acquitted onelyonly by the favour of the Judge, say we not, he hath no cause to be proud? We must condemne our selves before we can be received to mercy, what cause have we then to be humble? Can we esteeme our selves miserable and wretched, worthy to be cast into Hell, and yet be self-conceited of our selves? Fourthly, Learne that whatsoever thou art it is of grace. He hath no reason to be lifted up in himself that lives on the Almes-basket. What hast thou which thou hast not received? And if thou hast received it, why dost thou boast? 1 Cor. 4.7, 8.Faith excludes boasting in the matter of Justification, because it receiveth remission of free grace: and by the same reason, he cannot be proud of any grace, gift,Rom. 3, 27.28 advancement, that doth acknowledge it to be given of meer and undeserved favour. Humility comes by the knowledge of our selves what we are, and what we ought to be. Most men have learned to speak the Language of Canaan, and to profess that whatsoever good thing he possesseth is given of free mercy without any merit: but if the heart be puffed up with health, strength, skill, honour, wisedome, or conceit of holiness, it is really infected with that leaven of popery that it is bestowed of merit or worthiness. Fifthly, Call to remembrance the admirable Royalties and Prerogatives that God of his rich mercy hath vouchsafed unto thee. The Prophet was abased in himself at the consideration of Gods bounty to man in the state of innocency, in that he made him Ruler over all earthly Creatures: but God hath raised us from the depth of misery to the top of Dignity; as our sinne abounded, his mercy hath superabounded. Who is not astonished at this mercy of God, that he should give us his Sonne, pardon our sinnes, adopt us to be his Sonnes, and intitle us to that inheritance reserved for his Saints in light? Lord, what is man that thou dost so regard him, or the Sonne of man that thou visitest him? I am abased at the very thought of thy love that passeth all knowledge, and the rich effects thereof that cannot be comprehended. I will never glory in my self, nor lift up my heart against thee: for I am less then the least of thy mercies. Sixthly, Acquaint thy self with the Lord,1 Pet. 5.6. and consider his incompresible greatness. Ignorance of God, joyned with measuring of our selves by our selves, or others, is the breeder and nurse of loftiness and pride: for we never come to know our selves, what we are, how vile, feeble and wretched, till we know the Lord.Isa. 40.14. Job. 4.18. The world in comparison of him is as the small dust of the Balance; The Angels are not pure in his sight: Much less any of them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is the dust, which are crushed before the moth. The more we look up to him, the lower shall we be abased in our selves, as having nothing wherein we should be compared. Seventhly, Make use of all chastisements; for the Lord sendeth afflictions to open the ear,Iob. 33.17. and to hide the pride from man.