2 Moses is said, Numb. 12. to be a meek man above all that were on the earth, and so it appeareth by his patience in bearing the reviling speeches of his brother and sister: but Exod. 11. 8. and 32. chap. of the same book he is said to be very angry, and in that his fierce anger causeth many to be slain, yet his anger is commended as good, for that the cause thereof was good. So Elihu is said to be very angry, Job. 32. 2. not only against the wicked but against godly men. Christ also is said to be angry, Mark. 6. and to call Peter Satan, Matth. 16▪ And Paul calleth the Galatians fools, Gal. 3. verse 1. And to the Ephes. 4 28. he forbiddeth and warneth us only of that anger which is of sin or mixed with sin. Now then to discern this evil anger note these marks following. First,1 if we be angry in our own cause, that is, for those things which might either pleasure us,2 or hurt us, and not for the glory of God, our anger is carnal and evil. Secondly, again, it is true that we shall never be angry for Gods cause, until we can leave all care of our own causes, and not become angry for them, further than they are joined with Gods cause. Those then that in their own cause will be as hot as may be, and in Gods cause will be as cold as ice, do offend much in anger. 3. Every trifle must not move anger, but a great3 and weighty matter, therefore we must be ready to bear with, and to pardon many offences, so they be not great: but when they greatly concern the glory of God, and are very weighty, then are we justly angry. 4. We may not be more angry with the person than4 with the sin, for godly anger is only moved against the sin, and nothing against the person: and this may be tried two ways: first, if we mislike that sin wheresoever we find it, whether it be in our selves, or in our dearest friends, then is the anger good. Secondly, when our anger hindereth us not from doing our duties to the person offending us, or to any other.
2 Moses is said, Numb. 12. to be a me•ke man aboue all that were on the earth, and so it appeareth by his patience in bearing the reuiling speeches of his brother and sister: but Exod. 11. 8. and 32. chap. of the same booke he is said to be very angrie, and in that his fierce anger causeth many to be slaine, yet his anger is commended as good, for that the cause thereof was good. So Elihu is said to be very angrie, Iob. 32. 2. not onely against the wicked but against godly men. Christ also is said to be angrie, Mark. 6. and to call Peter Sathan, Matth. 16▪ And Paul calleth the Galathians fooles, Gal. 3. verse 1. And to the Ephes. 4 28. he forbiddeth and warneth vs onely of that anger which is of sinne or mixed with sinne. Now then to discerne this euill anger note these markes following. First,1 if we be angrie in our owne cause, that is, for those things which might either pleasure vs,2 or hurt vs, and not for the glorie of God, our anger is carnall and euill. Secondly, againe, it is true that we shal neuer be angrie for Gods cause, vntill we can leaue all care of our own causes, and not become angrie for them, further than they are ioyned with Gods cause. Those then that in their owne cause will be as hot as may be, and in Gods cause will be as colde as ice, doe offend much in anger. 3. Euery trifle must not moue anger, but a great3 and waightie matter, therefore we must be ready to beare with, and to pardon many offences, so they be not great: but when they greatly concerne the glorie of God, and are very waightie, then are we iustly angrie. 4. We may not be more angrie with the person than4 with the sinne, for godly anger is onely moued against the sinne, and nothing against the person: and this may be tried two waies: first, if we mislike that sinne wheresoeuer we find it, whether it be in our selues, or in our dearest friends, then is the anger good. Secondly, when our anger hindereth vs not from doing our duties to the person offending vs, or to any other.
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