The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

Now after that Saint Paul hath showed that it were much better and more for our behoof too be be grieved at our own vices, than at every small occasion, when men behave not themselves too our liking: he addeth thereunto, Let not the Sun go down upon your anger. We must not understand by this, that S. Paul meant to acquit such as are soon angry, & soon appeased: for it is a vice worthy of blame. And although it be more excusable than the feeding of a displeasure which turneth too rancour or hatred: yet notwithstanding we cannot be so soon pacified, but that we shall have offended God already with our choler. For we hear what is said even by the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ:¹ namely that if we show any sign of displeasure ⟨p. 219⟩at all, and it be as it were but by grunting between the teeth we be already in danger of hell fire before God. We shall not need too have given any blow, nor too have done any open wrong whereby we might be brought before a Justice: if we have but only offended so far as too have conceived any pitch, there is no excuse for us. And therefore when Saint Paul forbiddeth us too feed our anger, he doth not utterly justify them that are gentle and easy too be reconciled, and will soon forgive: for they be blame worthy already, as I said afore. But he proceedeth here by degrees, as if he should say, my friends, if every of us thought upon his own sins, it is certain that we should be moved too mislike of our selves, because we provoke Gods wrath against us: and he that hath a lively feeling of his own faults, will arm himself therewith against himself. For we ought too have a zeal too Godward, as though we were his attorneys, and that zeal ought too procure us too condemn evil wheresoever we find it. But Anger is always at our elbow, yea and it dwelleth in us, so as we shall never be so perfect as were too be wished, so long as we be in this world. (Yet notwithstanding) howsoever the case stand, let us beware that we suffer not our selves too be possessed with inordinate passions. For if we conceive any heartburning, and go too bed upon it: surely we shall be poisoned by and by, and the mischief will not be espied so easily.

Now after that Saint Paule hath shewed that it were much better and more for our behoof too bee bee greeued at our owne vyces, than at euery small occasion, when men behaue not themselues too our lyking: he addeth theruntoo, Let not the Sunne go downe vppon your anger. We must not vnderstand by this, that S. Paul ment to acquite such as are soone angrie, & soone appeazed: for it is a vice worthy of blame. And although it bee more excuzable than the feeding of a displeazure which turneth too rancour or hatred: yit notwithstanding we cannot bee so soone pacifyed, but that wee shall haue offended God alredye with our choler. For wee heare what is sayd euen by the mouth of our Lord Iesus Christ: