Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

2. But the weak Christian doth greatly show his weakness, in his unruly passions, (if he have a temper of body disposed to passion): They are oft rising, and not easily kept under: Yea and too often prevail for such unseemly words, as maketh him become a dishonour to his profession. Oft he resolveth, and promiseth and prayeth for help; and yet the next provocation showeth how little Grace he hath to hold the reins. And his passionate Desires, and Delights, and Love and Sorrows, are oft as unruly as his anger, to the further weakening of his Soul. They are like Ague fits that leave the health impaired.

2. But the weak Christian doth greatly shew his weakness, in his unruly passions, (if he have a temper of body disposed to passion): They are oft rising, and not easily kept under: Yea and too often prevail for such unseemly words, as maketh him become a dishonour to his profession. Oft he resolveth, and promiseth and prayeth for help; and yet the next provocation sheweth how little Grace he hath to hold the reins. And his passionate Desires, and Delights, and Love and Sorrows, are oft as unruly as his anger, to the further weakning of his Soul. They are like Ague fits that leave the health impaired.

3. And the seeming Christian hath much less power over those Passions, which must subserve his carnal mind. For Anger it dependeth much ⟨p. 90⟩upon the temperature of the body: and if that incline him not strongly to it, his credit or common discretion may suppress it: Unless you touch his chiefest carnal interest; and then he will not only be angry but cruel, malicious, and revengeful: But his carnal Love, and Desire and Delight which are placed upon that pleasure, or profit, or honour, which is his Idol, are indeed the reigning passions in him: and his grief, and fear and anger are but the servants unto these. Act. 24.26, 27.