MEEKNESS (mek'nes), (Heb. from 714, aw naw', to be depressed; Gr. irpcarrns, Prah-orace, gentleness).
A state of mind not easily provoked to resent ment. In the Greek language the word signifies also easiness of spirit, and thus it may be justly called; for it accommodates the soul to every occurrence, and so makes a man easy to him self, and to all about him.
(1) Specific Results. The Latins call a meek man nzansuestus, or mann assztetzts, used to the hand; which alludes to the taming and reclaiming of creatures wild by nature, and bringing them to be tractable and familiar (James iii:7, 8): so where the grace of meekness reigns, it subdues the impetuous dispositicm, and teaches it submis sion and forgiveness. It teaches us to govern our own anger whenever we are at any time provoked, and patiently to bear the anger of oth ers, that it may not be a provocation to us. The former is its office, especially in superiors; the latter in inferiors, and both in equals (James iii :13).
(2) Excellence. The excellency of such a spirit appears, if we consider that it enables us to gain a victory over corrupt nature (Prov. xvi:
32) ; that it is a beauty and an ornament to hu man beings (t Pet. iii:4) ; that it is obedience to God's word, and conformity to the best pat terns (Eph. v:1, 2 ; Phil. iv:8).
It is productive of the highest peace to the pos sessor (Luke xxi:tg; Matt. xi:28, 29). It fits us for any duty, instruction, relation, condition, or persecution (Phil. iv :t t, 12).
(3) How Obtained and Examples. To ob tain this spirit, consider that it is a Divine in junction (Zeph. ii:3; Col. iii:t2; I Tim. vi:ti). Observe the many examples of it : Jesus Christ (NIatt. xi:28) ; Abraham (Gen. xiii; xvi :5, 6) ; Moses (Num. xii :3) ; David (Zech. xii :8; 2 Sam. xvi :to, 12 ; PS. CXXXi :2) ; Paul (1 Cor. ix :ig). IIow lovely a spirit it is in itself, and how it secures us from a variety of evils! What peculiar promises are made to the meek (Matt. v:5; Is. lxvi:2). Also such give evidence of their being under the influence of Divine grace, and shall en joy the Divine blessing (Is. lvii :15).