with whom we have the best Right to make free; and seldom provoke any one else to do us Harm but Excess of Anger injures others, which is a great Sin; and excites them to Revenge, which is a great Folly in us. We have furely Failings and Sufferings enough befides; and need not add to them thus. But indeed, without looking fo far, Anger in its very Nature is tormenting: and, when immoderate or frequent, fours our Tempers, imbitters our Lives, wears out our Frame, lowers our Character, leffens our Influence, thwarts our Interefts, multiplies our Difficulties, hurries us into Dangers, even of our Lives, in more Ways than one. Plainly therefore we are concerned, on many Accounts, to reftrain it within the Limits of Reafon and Religion, by every Method in our Power: by serious Confiderations of Duty to him, who requires it of us, and of Gratitude to him, who is fo patient and long-suffering towards us; by cultivating Good-will to our Fellowcreatures, by reflecting on the Frailty of human Nature, on our own innumerable Frailties and Errors, in Behaviour to others; which we doubtless must wish to have gently paffed

over

over by them; and therefore ought to be gentle ourselves. We fhould endeavour by prudent and mild Treatment of those with whom we are concerned, by discreet Vigilance over them, by friendly Inftructions and Admonitions given them, to prevent their acting wrongly by us and, if they do, notwithstanding, we should confider calmly, and without Exaggeration, the Degree of the Fault committed, hear and weigh their Defences and Excuses, make Ufe of cool Expoftulations to convince and reform them; and employ others in this good Work, who may be more likely to do it well and fuccefsfully, if we have any Cause to distruft our own Temper or Weight. And amongst other Things we should frequently recollect, how happy and pleased with ourfelves we have been afterwards, when we have refifted and overcome Incitements to unreasonable Rage, and how miferable and full of fruitless Remorfes, when we have yielded to them.

But befides the Directions more peculiarly appropriated to each of the four Temptations to be impatient, which I have mentioned, there are some scarcely touched upon yet, which in a

good

good Measure belong to them all. One is, to think often how poffible it is, that more or fewer of these Temptations may fooner or later come to our Share. Were we indeed to imagine it more probable than it is, that many of them would, this might fink our Spirits, and weaken our Strength; our Hearts failing us for Fear, and for looking after thofe Things, which perhaps, are not coming!. But previously confidering in a reasonable Manner, to what Sort of Accidents we are liable, will guard us against the vain Imagination of being exempt from Evil, prevent us from being alarmed, furprised, and caft down by it, as though fome Strange Thing happened unto us", and gradually reconcile us to the Lot of Humanity

we

shall be ready and prepared for whatever may fall out; recollect immediately, that no Trial hath overtaken us, but fuch as is common to Men" ; and refift all Emotions of immoderate Vehemence, knowing that the fame Afflictions are accomplished in our Brethren that are in the World. Another Direction is, that under a long Continuance of Pain, or Grief, or Fear, or Provocations to Anger, if we find that by

the mere Ufe of Arguments from Prudence, Virtue, or Religion, we cannot get the better of them, but are in Danger of being overcome; we should try the Effect of turning our Attention from them for the prefent, as well as we are able, to other Subjects: un,doubtedly to the best and most valuable that we can; but to any, that are innocent, rather than grow fretful, or defpond. Only we must never take Refuge in Trifles out of Choice; but confider it as a Mark of Weakness, and Cause of Shame, that we are driven to them and we must beware, that they never banish pious and serious Thoughts out of our Minds, or depreciate them in our Esteem.

Every one of thefe Rules, I truft, may affift us, more or lefs, to run with Patience the Race that is fet before us, as the Apostle exhorts. But the great Affistance will be what in the next Words he directs, Looking unto Jefus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith, who, for the Joy that was fet before him, endured the Cross-and is fet down at the right Hand of the Throne of God'. His firft Difciples were enabled to bear Pain,

? Heb. xii. 1.

4 Ver. 2.

Sorrow,

Sorrow, Fear, Provocation, each of them in the highest Degree, from their cruel Perfecutors, by confidering him, that endured fuch Contradiction of Sinners, left they should be wearied and faint in their Minds'. Well then may we, who have so much less to undergo, poffefs our Souls in Patience amidst it all. Indeed without Patience we cannot, in the lowest Sense, poffefs our Souls; be Masters of ourselves, and enjoy even the present Being, which God hath given us; the best Things will be tasteless, most Things bitter; we shall torment ourselves, and repine against him. But if we watch over our Hearts, and apply to God, He will ftrengthen us with all Might, according to his glorious Power, unto all Patience and long Suffering with Joyfulness': Tribulation will work Patience; and Patience, Experience; and Experience, Hope; and Hope will not make us afhamed. For not only fhall we poffefs our Souls in Comfort here, but if, as St. James enjoins, we let Patience have her perfect Work", we shall fecure the Poffeffion of endless Felicity hereafter. For God will give to them, who by patient

Continuance in