The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…

Secondly, some men can never be pleased, and every light trifle doth stir them up to¹ anger, which cannot but be evil: and this proceedeth altogether from the flesh, this anger cannot be allowed. But spiritual anger is not easily stirred up, and when it is, then it is measured by the quantity of the fault: a small fault, a small and short anger; a greater fault, a greater anger, & of a longer continuance. For herein must we be like our heavenly Father, who is slow to wrath, chideth us not continually, marketh not what is done amiss, nor recompenseth² us according to our deservings. But continually useth more means to cause³ us to love him, than to cause us to fear him. And thus ought it to be with us also, if we will be children of such a father: so that we ought to strive and labour to be loved rather than feared, and by love to allure, rather than by fear to compel. Again, with the Lord we ⟨p. 205⟩ought to be greatly grieved for great offences, & for smaller offences to be lesser grieved. Now if a man find himself to be of a hasty nature, and quickly angry; know also that such a one exalteth folly, and that anger resteth in the bosom of fools. But a man of a patient spirit passeth in wisdom. Yea, let him know, that such anger is not good, and therefore labour earnestly that it may be repressed in him: which that he may dolet him think and know that before holy anger there must go prayer, that the Lord in mercy may rightly direct him in the same. If therefore we cannot, or do not before our anger, or when the occasion is offered, pray unto the Lord, that he may keep us upright in the same: we have to suspect our anger, for we are in danger to fall and offend therein.

Secondly, some men can neuer be pleased, and euery light trifle doth stirre them vp to¹ anger, which cannot but be euill: and this proceedeth altogether from the flesh, this anger cannot be allowed. But spirituall anger is not easily stirred vp, and when it is, then it is measured by the quantitie of the fault: a small fault, a small and short anger; a greater fault, a greater anger, & of a longer cōtinuance. For herein must we be like our heauenly Father, who is slow to wrath, chideth vs not continually, marketh not what is done amisse, nor recompenceth