Her Humility
“True humility,” observes an illustrious writer,* “is a lowly frame and habit of spirit, arising from a due sense of the glorious excellency of the almighty God, our own frailty and infirmities, and our infinite dependence upon his bounty, goodness, and mercy.” And, among the various graces which adorn Christianity, there is none more valuable. It is essential to personal religion, and peculiarly distinguishes eminent piety. Who has been more humble than Abraham, or Jacob, or Job, or David, or Paul? Dr. Harris said; so much humility as any man has, so much grace and worth he possesses, and no more.
The Scriptures abound in discoveries of its
* Sir Matthew Hale.
importance. “Thus saith tlic high and lofty One that inliabiteth eternity, wh()se name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” “Put on humbleness of mind,” — “Be clothed with humility.”
Angels are bright examples of this sacred virtue, and it is observable that Ezckiel, when relating his vision of their “attention, activity, and perseverance in executing the divine commands,” expressly states that “they had the hands of a man under their wings.” We see their operations, but not their hands. They are humble.
The language of our Saviour on the subject is especially striking. “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” — And it is “well worthy,” as Dr. Doddridge has remarked, “of our observation, that no one sentence is so frequently repeated as this: which occurs at least ten times in the Evangelists.” Humility is indeed,
“The proof of goodnrs?, and the solid stamp
Of blessed pieiy! The hallowed base
On which the Christian virtues love to rest.”
Mrs. Savage, having learned of Him who was “meek and lowly in heart,” was “poor in spirit.” This is manifest from her deep sense of the evil of sin — her esteem of the righteousness of Christ, her submissive conduct while suffering affliction — her gratitude for divine mercies — her meekness under reproach — her contentment in every station — and her love to prayer, and all heavenly appointments. The following extracts furnish her sentiments on this interesting topic, shewing her love, as well as practice, of humility.
“1688, Dec. 9th, Sabbath. In the morning I was more than ordinarily drowsy, but God was found of me before we went to public worship. I find it more easy to go on in a course of external duty, than to be heavenly and spiritual as I should be. How many vain thoughts lodged within me to-day. How long, Lord, must it be so 1 This night I begged of God the twenty-four good spirits which my dear falher has been preaching over this year. Methinks I see cause to be especially earnest for an humble spirit. Oh, humility is a most excellent adorning grace. I find pride strong in me, and I am apt to be jealous of mv dear relations lest they do any thing in pride or vain-glory. I am of his mind who named the three great graces of a Christian, Humility! Humility! Humility! We cannot have too mean thoughts of ourselves, provided we do not neglect our duty, nor let go our hold of Christ.”
“1694, August 7th. The return of the day brings to my mind the mercy of God to me in my birth. Thirty years I have been a monument of mercy. Yet, how have I abused that patience and long-suflering which have so long waited to bring me to repentance. If I can any way judge of a change, the greater part of these thirty years of my life was spent wholly in a state of unregeneracy, wherein I was not only a stranger but an enemy to God; and if, out of the lesser half of my time, I subtract all that which hath since been employed in serving the Devil, the world, and the flesh, how small a part of my time hath my God had to his service! And when out of that I subtract all my lifeless, careless duties, wherein I have as it were only mocked him, offering a sacrifice without a heart, I am amazed to think that his patience is yet lengthened out to a tree which hath been so many years barren in the vineyard. O what empty spaces are there in the time that is past. I wish that for time to come my time may be better filled up.”
“1702, Sept. 14. Dear brother (after long intermission) came to us, and preached our lecture from Matt. v. 3., ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit.’ Lord, entitle me to this blessing. Such are happy in both worlds — both hero and hereafter. This true poverty of spirit i.s that which empties me of self that I may be filled with Christ. It extends itself to God — our brother — ourselves. It enables us to possess ourselves in any condition. I have often desired it of God, and it is the breathing of my thirsting soul — Lord, make me poor in spirit, and rich in spirituals. How poor soever I may be in the world, make me rich in faith, an heir of ’ the kingdom,’ and I have enough.”
At another time she writes thus: “In the evening several of our friends came, especially Mr. King, who was our good helper. He preached excellently next day (Sabbath) from Luke xviii. 22. ‘Yet lackest thou one thing; ’ but he rather insisted on the parallel Scripture, What lack I yet? There is much lacking in the best. Alas! I lack much — much wisdom, much knowledge, much grace. Surely it is a proper, a very proper question for mc to put to myself frequently, and especially some times — when going to prayer. I should then be reflecting — what lack I? What is it most needful to pray for? When going to the Lord’s Supper I should ask — What is it I now especially want 1 — Lord, that my eyes may be opened — that my heart may be softened. This evening we had a long-desired opportunity. All things ready. But my poor heart was not prepared. I was cold and dull. Lord, pity and pardon, and help mc in after reflection. I need not long consider to answer this —” What lack I yet?” Noticing an unpleasant dispute between ]Mr. Savage and a neighbour, she writes,” I heartily desire to forgive him all his hard thoughts and speeches. If we can approve ourselves to God in our integrity, we must be content to pass through evil report, as well as good report. It comforts me much that my husband has so satisfied Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Illidge, and others of the chief of the society, that he has not deserved those aspersions which he has cast upon him. I hope God will, in time, bring good out of this evil. I have earnestly desired it of God, but I am concerned that I do not pray so much and earnestly for him as I should. I think of Mr.
Baxter’s saying — ‘Others’ unkindnesses to us are but a check to us for our unkindness to God.’”
The concluding sentence of one of the volumes of her diary is strikingly characteristic of her prevailing disposition. “It is now almost seven years since I began this little book. If there have been the workings of any grace, it is owing to the God of grace, for I am nothing.”