CHAPTER X.

Directions for Walking with God under Afflictions.

EVERY day will bring forth its evil and cross; whether lighter and ordinary, or more heavy and extraordinary. The first sort riseth partly from the common frailties of the persons with whom you converse, and partly from your own; as from pride and peevishness, and suspicion of evil, &c. Such as discourtesies from those of whom you expected kindness; imperiousness, and too much domineering of superiors; sullenness, negligence, and disregard from inferiors; and awkwardness and perverseness in the persons and things with which you have to do.

First, Rules concerning lighter crosses.

1. Lay not these to heart, make them not greater than they be, through your impatience, as many do, who, upon every light occasion of dislike, cast themselves into such a hell of vexation and discontent, that all the blessings they enjoy, are scarcely observed, or can make their lives comfortable. Whereas, wisdom should prevent, and love and prudence should cover and pass by most of these; seeing, as if you saw not: or if you will give way to any passion at these, let it be with hatred of their and your sin, which is the cause of these, and all other crosses.

2. These should cause you to pity, and pray for, them that give you this offence; and for yourself, who many times without cause take offence.

You

may, if need require, show your dislike, and admonish the offender, provided you do it with "meekness of wisdom;" but learn hereby to warn yourself, that you give not the like offence.

Second, Directions how to bear all afflictions well. But whether your crosses and afflictions be imaginary only, or real; whether from God immediately, or from man, whether light or heavy, follow these directions: 1. Be not transported with passion and anger, like proud Lamech, and froward Jonas. 2. Be not overwhelmed, or sullen with grief, like covetous Ahab, and foolish Nabal. But, 3. Bear them patiently. 4. Bear them cheerfully and thankfully. 5. Bear them fruitfully.

1st, Remedies against sinful anger.

To help you, that passion and heat of anger kindle not, or at least break not out beyond due bounds,

1. Convince your judgment thoroughly, that passion and rash anger is forbidden and hated of God. It is a fruit of the flesh. A work of the devil. Bred and nourished by pride, folly, and self-love. Also, that it surpriseth all the powers of right reason, putting a man beside himself, causing him to abuse his tongue, hands, and the whole man; making him, like a fool, to cast firebrands at every thing which crosseth him, and that not only against his neighbour and dearest friends, but against God himself. Consider, likewise, that it maketh a man unfit to pray, to hear the word, or to perform any worship to God; and unfit to speak or hear reason, or to give or receive good counsel. God forbiddeth his children the company of the froward, and saith,

that such a one doth abound in transgression; and that "there is more hope of a fool than of him." Wherefore, he must needs be exposed to all the just judgments of God, temporal and eternal.

For

which cause, fix in your mind such an abhorrence of this vice, that you may beware and shun it with all caution.

2. Observe watchfully when anger beginneth to kindle and stir in you, and before it flame and break forth into speech or behaviour, set your reason at work, to prevent or restrain it. Nay, set faith at work, having in readiness, upon your mind, such pertinent scriptures as these: "Be angry, but sin not;" and "anger resteth in the bosom of fools." Shall I then sin against God? Shall I thus play the fool? Rules to know when anger is sinful.

You sin in your anger, 1. When it is without cause; as when neither God is dishonoured, nor your neighbour or yourself indeed injured; when it is for trifles, and only because you are crossed in your will and desire, and the like; but chiefly when you are angry with any for well doing. 2. Though you have cause, yet if it extinguish your love to the person with whom you are angry; so that you neglect the common and needful offices thereof. 3. When it exceedeth due measure, as when it is over much, and over long. 4. It is sinful when it bringeth forth evil and unseemly effects, such as neglect, or ill performance of any duty to God or man; also when it breaketh out into loud, clamorous, or reviling speeches, or into churlish, sullen, or indecent behaviour, or when it is attended with any injuri

ous act.

If

3. If you cannot keep anger from rising within you, yet be sure that you bind your tongue and hand to good behaviour. Make a covenant with them, and charge them not to show it, nor partake with it any farther than considerate reason, and good conscience shall advise you. Set a law to yourself, that you will not chide, nor strike while you are in the heat of anger. If there be cause of either, defer it until you have more government over yourself. you say, that" If you do them not in your heat, you "shall not do them at all;" I answer, that, in saying so, you discover a great deal of folly and weakness. I am sure you never do them well in passion. And conscience of duty should lead you to chiding and correcting when there is cause, not passion for, in it, you serve and revenge yourself upon the party, but not God.

4. Both before, and when you are angry, see God, by the eye of your faith, as present with you, in hearing and looking upon you. This will make you peaceable and quiet, causing you not only to hold your hands and tongue, as you find by experience you use to do, when some reverend friend is present; but this will calm and abate the inward heat and passion of your mind.

5. If you feel your corruption and weakness to be such, and the provocation to anger so great that you fear you cannot contain yourself, then, if it be possible, avoid all occasions of anger, and remove yourself, in a peaceable and quiet manner, from the person, object, or occasion thereof. And at all times shun the company of an angry man, as much as your calling will give you leave, lest you learn his ways.

And the best means

heart

6. Howsoever it may happen that anger kindles in you, and breaketh out; be sure that you subdue it before it grow into hatred of him with whom you are angry. For this cause let not the sun go down upon your wrath; you know not what hatred it may grow into before morning. that I know to subdue it, is, if you find your to rise against any, pray heartily to God for him in particular, for his good; to this you are commanded. And be so far from seeking revenge, that force yourself to be loving and kind, showing all good offices of love with wisdom, as you shall have occasion; overcoming evil with good. Pray also to God for yourself, that he would please to subdue this passion in you. This act of love to him with whom you are angry, performed before God, in whose sight you dare not dissemble, will excellently quench wrath, and prevent hatred against him, and will give proof between God and your conscience that you love him. If, pleading for yourself, you shall say, "It is my natural constitution to be choleric, and flesh and blood will have their course;" know, this is to nourish your passion. Know also, it is a wicked and hateful constitution of body, which came in with the fall. And flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Say not, "I am so crossed and provoked, never any the like;" for Christ was more injured and more provoked than you, and yet never was in a passion. And you provoke God a thousand times more every day, yet he is patient with you. Say not," It is such a headstrong passion, that it is impossible to bridle and subdue it;" for, I can assure you, that by using means, these prescribed,

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