# “Arm yourself with meekness” by Wilhelmus à Brakel

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2026/05/29/arm-yourself-with-meekness-by-wilhelmus-a-brakel/
- Published: 2026-05-29T20:37:58-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“Meditate upon these arguments and allow them to have effect upon your heart in 
order that from henceforth you would endeavor to attain a meek disposition of heart.

Be assured that you are neither born with it, will not receive it by wishing for
it, nor will readily acquire it. Effort is required for it. Therefore, engage yourself
in this duty.

(1) To that end you must continually take notice of those occasions when you lose
your meek disposition; that is, when impatience and anger arise in you, and manifest
themselves unto others. Reflect upon this for some time until it grieves you and
you see your foolishness, sinfulness, and offensive behavior, and make renewed resolutions
to correct this.

(2) Flee the company of impatient and angry people, for this is as infectious as
the plague. “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt
not go: lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul” (**Prov. 22:24–25**).

When you observe such and their behavior, take note of their foolishness so that
you may develop an aversion for it, and, by way of a vivid example, may learn that“
anger resteth in the bosom of fools” (**Eccl. 7:9**).

(3) Seek the company of the meek and carefully observe their conduct. Observe in
them how desirable meekness is. “Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the
lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud” (**Prov. 16:19**).

(4) Always hold before you the example of the meek Jesus. To that end read the gospels
frequently, continually taking note of the manner in which the Lord Jesus manifested
His meekness. Impress this upon your heart in such a manner, so that, so to speak,
the very nature of it is transferred unto you.

And if something occurs which is unsettling, allow your thoughts to turn to the 
gospels to ascertain whether or not the Lord Jesus has been in such a situation 
and how He conducted Himself under those circumstances, or how He would have conducted
Himself in such a situation— and then follow His example.

(5) When you (either within or outside of your home) come into the company of people,
arm yourself with meekness, conducting yourself as if you are entering into battle.
Make the express resolution that you will be meek and ask the Lord for strength 
for the moment.

If the occasion arises, see to it that the enemy gain not the advantage, and when
you are again alone, reflect upon how you have fared. If all went well, thank the
Lord and keep this peaceful disposition of heart in remembrance, in order that you
may thus be stirred up to conduct yourself again in this manner.

If you fell into sin, grieve over this; however, do not become discouraged, for 
one cannot learn to practice this glorious virtue that quickly. Instead, take new
courage so that you may fare that much better in the future.”

–Wilhelmus à Brakel, _**[The Christian’s Reasonable Service,](https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-christians-reasonable-service-4-volumes-brakel.html)**_
ed. Joel R. Beeke, trans. Bartel Elshout, _**[vol. 4: Ethics and Eschatology](https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-christians-reasonable-service-4-volumes-brakel.html)**_(
Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 1995), 4: 89-90.

[⌊The Christian's Reasonable Service by Brakel Volume 4⌉⌊The Christian's Reasonable
Service by Brakel Volume 4⌉[

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