Though for the most part the flesh or our carnal corruption is the cause of anger, and it begins at self; yet sometimes it is stirred in the cause of God. It is said of Moses, the meekest man on earth (Numb. 12.3.) that when he saw the idolatry of the people (Exod. 32.19.) His anger waxed hot; He was so angry that he cast the Tables of the Law which God had written with his own hand, out of his hand and broke them. It is said (Mar. 3.5.) Jesus Christ looked about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts; He also expressed a great deal of zealous anger (Joh. 2.15.) When he made a whip of small cords, and drove the buyers and sellers out of the Temple. 1Some of the Hebrews tell us, that the word here used for anger, signifieth anger carried out to the destruction of sin, and that is a very gracious anger. There are two things which exceedingly declare the holiness of a mans spirit. First, when he can patiently bear loads of evils and wrongs in his own cause, or which have but a private respect. Secondly, When he is ready to take fire in the cause of God; many dull and sluggish souls can hear God abused,2 and their spirits stir no more then a stone; Elihu was angry, but it was in the cause of God; or, Because Job Justified himself rather then God. When we are angry with sin, we are angry (as the Apostle adviseth us to be) and sin not. That's anger without sin, when we are angry with sin; and are stirred up to oppose and suppress the pride and insolency of mans spirit or speeches against God; To be angry for our own honour, and interest, or ⟨p. 16⟩Gourd; is an argument of undue love to self. When God spared Nineveh the Prophet was exceeding angry (Jon. 4.1.) But his was sinful anger; because he was angry for his own sake, fearing to be called a false Prophet; He set himself down to see what would become of the City, that he might have a personal glory, and be cried up for a Prophet indeed. And when God had smitten his Gourd, he was angry and angry unto the death (ver. 8.) and all because he missed that which pleased himself. Many can be angry when they themselves are discredited, but when dishonour is cast upon God, or his interest slighted, how quiet and tame, how cold and dull are their spirits!
Though for the most part the flesh or our carnall corruption is the cause of anger, and it begins at selfe; yet sometimes it is stirr'd in the cause of God. It is said of Moses, the meekest man on earth (Numb. 12.3.) that when he saw the idolatry of the people (Exod. 32.19.) His anger waxed hot; He was so angry that he cast the Tables of the Law which God had written with his own hand, out of his hand and broke them. It is said (Mar. 3.5.) Jesus Christ looked about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardnesse of their hearts; He also exprest a great deale of zealous anger (Joh. 2.15.) When he made a whip of small cords, and drove the buyers and sellers out of the Temple. 1Some of the Hebrews tell us, that the word here used for anger, signifieth anger carried out to the destruction of sin, and that is a very gracious anger. There are two things which exceedingly declare the holinesse of a mans spirit. First, when he can patiently beare loads of evills and wrongs in his owne cause, or which have but a private respect. Secondly, When he is ready to take fire in the cause of God; many dull and sluggish soules can heare God abused,2 and their spirits stirre no more then a stone; Elihu was angry, but it was in the cause of God; or, Because Job Justified himselfe rather then God. When we are angry with sin, we are angry (as the Apostle adviseth us to be) and sin not. That's anger without sin, when we are angry with sin; and are stirred up to oppose and suppresse the pride and insolency of mans spirit or speeches against God; To be angry for our owne honour, and interest, or ⟨p. 16⟩Gourd; is an argument of undue love to selfe. When God spared Nineveh the Prophet was exceeding angry (Jon. 4.1.) But his was sinfull anger; because he was angry for his owne sake, fearing to be called a false Prophet; He set himselfe downe to see what would become of the City, that he might have a personall glory, and be cryed up for a Prophet indeed. And when God had smitten his Gourd, he was angry and angry unto the death (ver. 8.) and all because he missed that which pleased himselfe. Many can be angry when they themselves are discredited, but when dishonour is cast upon God, or his interest slighted, how quiet and tame, how cold and dull are their spirits!
- 1[Greek or Hebrew] id genus irae notat, quo fertur quis ad abolitionem peccati, cum quo si sit veritas justissimus effectus est. Coc:〈non-Latin alphabet〉 id genus irae notat, quo fertur quis ad abolitionem peccati, cum quo si sit veritas justissimus effectus est. Coc:
- 2Hoc probes abnegationem tui & mundi, si injuriarum ferens sis, peccatum autem ferre non possiis; idque ita ut non ad vindicandum sed ad emendandum exstimulares.
