Whenever, on the
other hand, we see in wise and good men any vanity, boasting,
pompousness of any kind, we call it a weakness in them, and are
sorry to see them lowering themselves by the least want of divine
modesty.

Now, this great grace and noble virtue should surely be in our Lord,
from whom all graces and virtues come; and I think we need not look
far through the gospels to find it.

See how he refused to cast himself down from the temple, and make
himself a sign and a wonder to the Jews. How he refused to show the
Pharisees a sign. How, in this very text, when it seemed good to
him to show his glory, he takes only three favourite apostles, and
commands them to tell no man till he be risen again. See, again,
how when the Jews wanted to take him by force, and make him a king,
he escaped out of their hands. How when He had been preaching to,
or healing the multitude, so that they crowded on him, and became
excited about him, he more than once immediately left them, and
retired into a desert place to pray.

See, again, how when he did tell the Jews who he was, in words most
awfully unmistakeable, the confession was, as it were, drawn from
him, at the end of a long argument, when he was forced to speak out
for truth's sake. And, even then, how simple, how modest (if I dare
so speak), are his words. 'Before Abraham was, I am.' The most
awful words ever spoken on earth; and yet most divine in their very
simplicity. The Maker of the world telling his creatures that he is
their God! What might he _not_ have said at such a moment? What
might we not fancy his saying? What words, grand enough, awful
enough, might not the evangelists have put into his mouth, if they
had not been men full of the spirit of truth? And yet what does the
Lord say? 'Before Abraham was, I am.' Could he say more? If you
think of the matter, No. But could he say less? If you think of
the manner, No, likewise.

Truly, 'never man spake as he spake:' because never man was like
him. Perfect strength, wisdom, determination, endurance; and yet
perfect meekness, simplicity, sobriety. Zeal and modesty. They are
the last two virtues which go together most seldom. In him they
went together utterly; and were one, as he was one in spirit.

Him some of the evangelists saw, and by him all were inspired; and,
therefore, they toned their account of him to his likeness, and, as
it were, took their key-note from him, and made the very mann