PRIDE AND ARROGANCY, AND THE EVIL WAY, AND THE FROWARD MOUTH, DO I HATE. BEFORE HONOUR IS HUMILITY. PRIDE GOETH BEFORE DESTRUCTION, AND AN HAUGHTY SPIRIT BEFORE A FALL. A MAN'S PRIDE SHALL BRING HIM LOW: BUT HONOUR SHALL UPHOLD THE HUMBLE IN SPIRIT. I. I LOVE in children to behold Those modest manners soft and kind, Which charm me more than pearls and gold, And spring from humbleness of mind.1 II. Such children are not loud of tongue, 1 Col. iii. 12. HUMILITY. III. With rev'rence and respect they treat IV. In company they do not aim The best and highest place to share; 17 V. They meekly hear Religion's voice, 2 Levit. xix. 32. Thus the Spartan youths rose to give the old man the best place they could, whilst the young Athenians uncivilly kept their seats. An old author has the following beautiful passage on the reverence anciently paid to age : THE BEGINNING OF STRIFE IS AS WHEN ONE LETTETH OUT WATER: THEREFORE LEAVE OFF CONTENTION, BEFORE IT BE MEDDLED WITH. IT IS AN HONOUR FOR A MAN TO CEASE FROM STRIFE. I. WHAT mean these looks and words of hate? Leave off these signs of war: Come, let us stop this sharp debate Ere it be gone too far. II. A little cloud, scarce seen at first, To heavy tempests which have burst THE PREVENTION OF STRIFE. III. So quarrels, where there should be peace, And lead us into sin! IV. Yes, when the bitter speeches flow, Sin oft ensues, and thence comes woe;1 V. Subdue in time this temper high, And study to obtain The power to check a fierce reply, And passion to restrain. VI. 2 Think well to whom we all belong; Then though you seem to suffer wrong, VII. Seek, too, the Holy Spirit's grace, 19 THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM. IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS STRONG CONFIDENCE; AND HIS CHILDREN SHALL HAVE A PLACE OF REFUGE. I. O THOU whose glory and whose grace Celestial hosts proclaim, Look down from heav'n thy dwelling place, II. We know that in thy sacred fear All wisdom must begin; 'Tis this our pilgrimage will cheer, And warn us not to sin. |