9. A Christian must deny his inordinate passions. Jam. 1.26, If any man among you, seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, this mans religion is vain. Every member of the Body is infected with sin, as every branch of Wormwood is bitter; but the Tongue is full of deadly poison, Jam. 3.8. St. Augustine, compares the Tongue to a furnace*, and too often, hot sparks of anger fly out of it. The Holy Ghost once descended in cloven ⟨p. 29⟩tongues of fire, Acts 2.3. But the Apostle James, speaks of a Tongue that is set on fire of Hell, chap. 3.6. Some cannot rule their own spirit, but are carried away with their passions as a Chariot with wild Horses. Many (saith Hierom) who will not be drunk with Wine, will be drunk with rash Anger. Eccles. 7.9, Anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Anger may be in a wise Man, but it rests in a Fool. There is (I know) an holy anger against sin, but the fury of passion, is the scum which boils off from an unsavoury heart. Passion disturbs Reason*, and unfits for holy Duties. Hot passions make cold prayers. O Christians deny your selves. Pray that God will set a watch before your lips, Psal. 141.4. Labour to quench the fire of wrath, with a flood of tears. It is recorded of Mr. John Bruen, in the County Palatine of Chester, that though he was naturally of an hasty choleric spirit, yet at length he got the Victory over his ⟨p. 30⟩passions*, and grew so meek and calm, that his very nature seemed to be quite altered. Grace doth to the Passions, as Christ did to the Sea when it was stormy. Mark 4.39, He said, Peace, be still, and there was a great calm. Grace turns the fierceness of the Lion, into the meekness of the Dove.
9. A Christian must deny his inordinate passions. Jam. 1.26, If any man among you, seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, this mans religion is vain. Every member of the Body is infected with sin, as every branch of Wormwood is bitter; but the Tongue is full of deadly poison, Jam. 3.8. St. Augustine, compares the Tongue to a furnace*, and too often, hot sparks of anger fly out of it. The Holy Ghost once descended in cloven ⟨p. 29⟩tongues of fire, Acts 2.3. But the Apostle Iames, speaks of a Tongue that is set on fire of Hell, chap. 3.6. Some cannot rule their own spirit, but are carried away with their passions as a Charet with wild Horses. Many (saith Hierom) who will not be drunk with Wine, will be drunk with rash Anger. Eccles. 7.9, Anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Anger may be in a wise Man, but it rests in a Fool. There is (I know) an holy anger against sin, but the fury of passion, is the scum which boils off from an unsavory heart. Passion disturbs Reason*, and unfits for holy Duties. Hot passions make cold prayers. O Christians deny your selves. Pray that God will set a watch before your lips, Psal. 141.4. Labour to quench the fire of wrath, with a flood of tears. It is recorded of Mr. Iohn Bruen, in the County Palatine of Chester, that though he was naturally of an hasty cholerick spirit, yet at length he got the Victory over his ⟨p. 30⟩passions*, and grew so meek and calm, that his very nature seemed to be quite altered. Grace doth to the Passions, as Christ did to the Sea when it was stormy. Mark 4.39, He said, Peace, be still, and there was a great calm. Grace turns the fierceness of the Lion, into the meekness of the Dove.
- *Lib. 10. Confess.
- *Brevis insania. Sen.
- *Fortior est qui se, &c. Prov. 16.32.
