13. *Then thou learnest of him to be _lowly of heart_. And this is the true, genuine, Christian humility, which flows from a sense of the love of God, reconciled to us in _Christ Jesus_. _Poverty of spirit_, in this meaning of the word, begins, where a sense of guilt and of the wrath of God ends; and is, a continual sense of our total dependence on him, for every good thought or word or work; of our utter inability to all good, unless he _water us every moment_: and an abhorrence of the praise of men, knowing that all praise is due unto God only. With this is joined a loving shame, a tender humiliation before God, even for the sins which we know he hath forgiven us, and for the sin which still remaineth in our hearts, although we know it is not imputed to our condemnation. Nevertheless the conviction we feel of inbred sin, is deeper and deeper every day. The more we grow in grace, the more do we see, of the desperate wickedness of our heart. The more we advance in the knowledge and love of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, (as great a mystery as this may appear, to those who know not the power of God unto salvation) the more do we discern of our alienation from God, of the enmity that is in our carnal mind, and the necessity of our being entirely renewed in righteousness and true holiness. II. 1. It is true, he has scarce any conception of this, who now begins to know the inward kingdom of heaven. _In his prosperity_ he saith, _I shall never be moved; Thou_, Lord, _hast made my hill so strong_. Sin is so utterly bruised beneath his feet, that he can scarce believe it remaineth in him. Even temptation is silenced and speaks not again: it cannot approach, but stands afar off. He is borne aloft in the chariots of joy and love: he soars _as upon the wings of an eagle_. But our Lord well knew, that this triumphant state does not often continue long. He therefore presently subjoins, _Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted_. 2. Not that we can imagine this promise belongs to those, who mourn only on some worldly account: who are in sorrow and heaviness, merely on account of some worldly trouble or disappointment; such as the loss of their reputation, or friends; or the impairing of their fortune. As little title to it have they who are afflicting themselves, through fear of some temporal evil: or who pine away with anxious care, or that desire of earthly things which _maketh the heart sick_. Let us not think, these _shall receive any thing from the_ Lord: he is not in all their thoughts. Therefore it is that they thus _walk in a vain shadow, and disquiet themselves in vain_. And _this shall ye have of mine hand_, saith the Lord, _ye shall lie down in sorrow_.