.

Great and frequent were the provocations of His enemies, but He never
lost His temper--He never forfeited the claim to be called "the meek and
lowly Jesus." If you follow Him to the house of Caiaphas the high
priest, to the judgment hall of Herod or of Pilate, or to the Cross
itself--though He was buffetted, accused falsely, condemned, spit upon,
crucified--He passed through all the same calm, humble, holy Being.
There was no retaliation, no resentment. There was majesty in His very
meekness. And this is an important element in the Saviour's character
and conduct, which as Christians we must acquire and exhibit.

Undue elevation in circumstances of prosperity and fame, is as injurious
to our spiritual progress, as irritation and depression are in
circumstances of adversity and trial; and both are to be avoided. The
Saviour left us an example--a bright and a beautiful example--O how few
of us copy it in this respect. When the voice of flattery and praise is
heard--when we are raised to posts of influence and honour--when the sun
shines brightly upon our daily pathway--how few of us keep our meekness
and humility; how few of us carry all our honours back to Him who gave
them; how few of us so improve and sanctify our talents as that He shall
have the glory. And on the other hand when fortune frowns upon us--when
the world despises us--when our "own familiar friend, in whom we trusted,
lifteth up his heel against us," alas! how few of us "calmly sit on
tumult's wheel," and leave events to God. It is easier to sing and
preach about such a disposition than it is to acquire and exhibit it; but
it is attainable and it is essential--"Let this mind be in you which was
also in Christ Jesus."

II. _Simplicity_ and _unity_ distinguish the character and conduct of
Christ. In all His intercourse with friends and foes, His adherence to
truth and righteousness is marked and constant. He was criticised and
catechised and calumniated, but His transparency of character was never
destroyed. His enemies opposed and threatened, but He never hesitated in
the path of duty, or in His devotion to His Father's will. However
captious their questions, and whether they related to political or
spiritual matters, He invariably turned them against His opponents, and
made them minister to the cause of truth and righteousness. Sometimes He
stood single-handed against a multitude of foes, they were often
vacillating, cowardly, and incons