of Expoftulation, their past Errors, in order to prevent the future. The concluding Part of the Rule under Confideration is, V. That we be angry only fo long as we ought. It is poffible indeed, though very uncommon, that Men may lay afide their Displeasure, at least the Appearance of it, too foon; before it hath produced its intended Effect: and, giving more Credit, than they have Cause, to a few fair Promises, take little Notice, how they are performed. Thus every one around them finds out the Way of dealing with them : and perceiving, on how eafy Terms all may be made up, tranfgreffes without Fear. Sometimes the very fame Perfon is in the first Moments much too violent, and afterwards, poffibly from a Confcioufnefs of that, as much too remifs and fo is blameable and despised on both Accounts. But the oppofite Extreme is the ordinary one: and generally the worst Sin, that accompanies this Paffion. Some Excefs of fudden Anger is to many a Frailty scarce avoidable. For it is exceedingly difficult to escape being carried a little too far by an Emotion of Mind, which seems to be only Zeal for what : is is right, and allows fuch fhort Warning to be on our Guard. If indeed we let one thing or another be provoking us almost perpetually, we must not think it a great Alleviation, that our Peevishness doth not dwell on any single Point long, but quickly provides itself a fresh Object. Or if we fly out at once into fuch Extravagances, as to do in a little Time almost as much Mifchief, as we could in a great deal: it is a poor Plea to make in our own Favour, that when we have fatiated our Fury, or worn down our Spirits with it, we are calm again. But if undue Haftiness neither returns frequently, nor goes outrageous Lengths; though always a Tranfgreffion, yet it is in fome Meafure an excufeable one; whereas the Aggravations of rooted lafting Bitterness are most heinous. For when there hath been Space for Warmth to cool, for Reason to refume its Dominion, for Religion to foften Men into a Spirit of Forgiveness, for Friends to interpofe their Advice and Perfuafions, for every Motive to exert itself; still to continue implacable, and deliberately to fortify ourfelves in the Wrong, is confirmed Wickednefs. And yet Men indulge it strangely and if nothing chances in a very little while to appease their first Rage, allow it to to settle into a Habit of ill Will; which giving them lefs impetuous Agitations, than they felt at first, they fancy themselves to have fufficiently recovered their Temper, and proceed in their Guilt without fufpecting it. We should therefore be confcientiously watchful over our Hearts in this Particular. And readieft of all we should be to lay afide that Difpleasure, which we ought never to have entertained and be Friends again immediately, when it is our own Fault, that we ever were otherwife. Yet, I fear, many cherish unreasonable Refentment, because they secretly feel it is unreasonable, and never forgive thofe, whom they have once injured. They have run into a Difficulty, out of which they cannot extricate themselves to their Liking: and therefore will perfift for ever in acting amifs, rather than own, that they have acted fo at all. Now, it must be granted, their Situation is a very mortifying one. Anger implies a Charge upon another of Mifbehaviour. And when this Charge hath been brought and urged, perhaps in very strong Terms; to retract it, and make Submiffions inftead of receiving them, must doubtlefs be a Tafk highly disagreeable which is an excellent Reafon for avoiding avoiding causeless Wrath: but it is no Rea fon for persevering in it. Solomon's Counsel is very wife: Go not forth hastily to ftrive, left thou know not what to do in the End thereof, when thy Neighbour hath put thee to Shame": But if we are got into fuch a Condition, the speediest Retreat is the best. Good People will moderate our Shame, by accepting our firft Advances towards a Confeffion, that we have erred. And if others require fuller Satisfaction, we must give it them: for it would be monftrous to do them yet more Wrong, because we have done them fome already. But nearest in Guilt to the Anger, which was originally causeless, is that which becomes fo by lafting beyond its Caufe. Many Things furnish juft Ground of Animadverfion; fo just, that we should be to blame, if we omitted it and yet are of fo flight a Nature, that we fhould be more to blame, if we did not, after duly fignifying our Diflike of them, return immediately to our former Difpofition and Behaviour, even towards the Perfon concerned. For there would be no living in any Comfort, every little Offence were to be lengthened out, and the most made of it that can. There if d Prov. xxv. 8. fore fore in fuch Cafes, far from letting the Sun go down upon our Wrath, we should not let the next Hour, fometimes the next Moment, fee the leaft Marks of it. Where there is Need, they may continue longer: and be increased or leffened, according to the Occafion. The Tokens of our Displeasure may be suspended for a Time, and gentler Methods tried; which are always the best, when they are likely to be effectual; then refumed, if Circumstances demand it. But as foon as ever the Fault is reformed, though not perfectly, yet as far as we can fairly expect, after all Allowances made, (and in moft Cafes a great many should be made) then without Delay we should declare ourselves reconciled, for we cannot any longer be angry and not fin. One principal Discouragement of such Reformation is, that we commonly require of Persons, befides the Affurance of giving no Offence for the future, great Submiffions for what is past. And they should always think it their Duty to make them: but we should for the moft Part think it ours not to infift on them. Indeed their chief Objection against acknowledging their Misdemeanour, frequently |