y quench anger in the very first smoking of an apprehension of a
wrong. We would immediately cast it out, for there is nothing so much
blinds and dimmeth the eye of our understanding, and when this gross
vapour rises out of the dunghill of our lusts, nothing so much uncovers
our shame and nakedness. "A prudent man covereth shame," but hastiness and
bitterness takes the garment off our infirmity, and exposes us to mockery
and contempt, Prov. xii. 16. There is not a greater evidence of a strong
solid spirit, than this, to be able to govern this unruly passion, whereas
it is taken far otherwise. Meekness is construed by some to be simplicity
and weakness, and many imagine some greatness and height of spirit in the
hotter natures, but truly it is far otherwise. "For he that is slow to
anger, is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his own spirit, than
he that takes a city." Wrath is an impotency and weakness. It hath no
strength in it, but such as ye would find in madmen. But this is true
magnanimity, to overcome thyself, and "overcome evil with good."

As there is nothing which is a greater evidence of wisdom, so there is
nothing a better help to true wisdom than this. For a meek spirit is like
a clear running fountain, that ye see the bottom of, but a passionate
spirit is like a troubled fountain, the shadow of truth cannot be seen in
it. A glass that is pure and cleanly, renders the image lively, but if it
be besmeared with dust, you can see nothing, so is a composed mild spirit
apt to discern the truth without prejudice. And indeed it is the meek whom
God engages to teach his ways, Psal. xxv. 8, 9. He that receives with
meekness the ingrafted word, is in the readiest capacity to receive more.
When the superfluity of naughtiness is cast out, and all the faculties of
the soul composed to quietness and calmness, then his voice will best be
heard, and himself readiest to receive it. Our affection keeps a continual
hurry within the tumultuous noise of our disordered lusts, that are always
raging and controlling the voice of God, so that we cannot hear his
teaching. A passionate temper of spirit is very indocile. There are so
many loud sounds of prejudices within, that the truth cannot be heard. But
a meek spirit hath all quietness and silence, as Cornelius and his house
had waiting for the mind of the Lord. And such he delights to converse
with most, and reveal most unto, for it gets readiest entertainment. Let
me tell y