A Saint Indeed

The gospel indeed allows a liberty to vindicate our innocency, and assert our rights; but not to vent our corruptions, ⟨p. 118⟩and invade Gods right: when therefore thou findest thy heart begin to be inflamed by revengeful motions, presently apply the following remedies; and the first is this.

The gospel indeed allows a liberty to vindicate our innocency, and assert our rights; but not to vent our corruptions, ⟨p. 118⟩and invade Gods right: when therefore thou findest thy heart begin to be inflamed by revengful motions, presently apply the following remedies; and the first is this.

1. Remed. Urge upon thy heart the seve•e prohibitions of revenge by the law of God. Remember that this is forbidden fruit, how pleasing and luscious soever it be to our vitiated appetites, O saith nature, revenge is sweet; O but saith God, the effects thereof shall be bitter: how plainly hath God interdicted this flesh pleasing sin, Prov. 20. 22. Say not I will recompense evil. Prov. 24. 29. Say not I w•ll do so to him as he hath done to me. Rom. 12. 17. Recompense to no man evil for evil. and v. 19. Avenge not your selves but rather give place to wrath: nay that's not all, but Prov. 25. 21. If thine enemy •unger, feed him, if he thirst give him drink. The word feed him, as Critics observe, signifies to feed cheerfully and tenderly, as birds do their young ones: The Scripture is a great friend to the peace and tranquillity of humane societies, which can never be preserved, if revenge be not deposed; it was wont to be an argument urged by the Christians to prove their religion to be supernatural