[Feb. 3d, 1856.]
I. Its nature.
All Christian graces are products of the truth. So humility is the state of mind which the truth concerning our character and relations ought to produce. It includes,
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A sense of insignificance, because we are both absolutely and relatively insignificant. We are as nothing before God. We are as nothing in the universe. We are as nothing in the hierarchy of intelligences. We are as nothing in the millions of mankind. We are insignificant in capacity, in learning, in influence and power, compared to millions who have been before us, and to thousands who are now on the earth. Humility is not only the consciousness of this insignificance, but the recognition and acknowledgment of it, and acquiescence in it. Pride is the denial or forgetfulness of this fact, an unwillingness to be thus of no account, the assertion of our own importance, and the claim to have it acknowledged by others.
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This form of humility is connected with a sense of weakness. It stands opposed to pride as including self-confidence, and especially pride of intellect, either as consisting in Rationalism, or the refusal to submit to the teaching of God; or in a sense of superiority to others. No man can be a Christian without in this sense being humble. He must be converted and become as a little child in order to enter into the kingdom of God. This form of humility is the product of the truth, concerning the imbecility of the human understanding and of our own personal inferiority.
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The third form of humility is connected with a consciousness of guilt. It stands opposed to self-righteousness. It is the effect of conviction of sin, which produces the consciousness that we are destitute of all merit in the sight of God. How essential this is, the Scriptures everywhere teach. The Pharisee and Publican are presented in contrast, the one offensive and the other acceptable in the sight of God. A moral man puffed up with a sense of his good desert, is more offensive than an immoral man bowed down with a sense of guilt. When we consider the number and aggravations of our sins, we are lost in wonder that we can be so infatuated as to arrogate merit to ourselves.
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Nearly allied to this, is humility as a sense of pollution, the consciousness that we are vile, distasteful, offensive in the sight of all holy beings. Men are filled with complacency by the possession of qualifications which render them attractive in the sight of their fellow-men; and they are mortified and humbled by having the conviction forced upon them, that they are disagreeable, or even offensive. Now the truth is, that we are exceedingly vile in the sight of God. The Scriptures exhaust the resources of language and of metaphors, to set forth the truth in this matter so as to produce the proper impression on our minds. We are all described as unclean, as full of sores, as deformed, as blind, as naked. The heart is likened to a cage of unclean beasts. The truth on this subject cannot be believed without producing self-loathing, which is a strong expression for humility. Such is this grace, subjectively considered. Men often think they are humble when their whole conduct proves the reverse.
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They are disposed to assert their superiority.
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They wish others to acknowledge it.
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They resent as an injury all want of such acknowledgment.
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And often they take pleasure in making others painfully conscious of their inferiority. These are very offensive traits of character.
II. The importance of this grace appears,
- From its nature, as the want of it implies ignorance or disbelief of the truth concerning our true character. 2. From the frequent declarations of Scripture; that God resisteth the proud but showeth grace unto the humble; that those who exalt themselves shall be abased, and those who humble themselves shall be exalted; that the first shall be last, and the last first. 3. From its connection with the whole economy of redemption. God’s plan of salvation is intended to humble man. We cannot acquiesce in that plan, or enjoy its benefits unless we are humble. Men must stoop to enter heaven. 4. From its influence on our fellow-men. As nothing is so offensive as pride, so nothing is so conciliating as humility. It disarms hostility, conciliates favor, gives facility of access and influence. Men resist even the truth from the proud, but yield to the persuasion of the humble. 5. From its influence on ourselves. Pride is raging as the wind. It is a troubled sea casting up mire and dirt. Humility is a calm and placid lake. The soul is never at rest except when it is in its right place, and acquiesces in its true relations. The humble are peaceful.
III. The cultivation of this grace.
- Bring your mind under the operation of the truth. 2. Especially live in the presence of God. 3. Never act from the impulse of pride. 4. Humble yourself, by not seeking great things. 5. Seek the indwelling of the Spirit, and the aid of Christ.
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