SECTION kX11I. 4d9 tot ih themselves: It is said, concerning Julius Cwsar, that upon any provoCation, he would repeat the Roman alphabet be- fare he suffered himself to speak; that he might bemore just and Calm in his resentments. The delay of a fewmoments has set many seeming attiants in a juster and kinder light ; it has often lessened; if not annihilated the suppósed injury, And prevented violence and revenge. 12. If you cannot go$ern your" spirit, and suppress the out- ward appearances and efforts of your passion; take the first opportunity of leaving the place and company : Withdraw from the temptation, and retire to prayer ; confess; before God, the ungovernable frame of your own spirit; bewail -the pride and passion that dwells in you. Ask forgiveness of heaven, and beg the divine influences of grace to subdue the disorderly ferments of your nature. 18. If you have unhappily indulged your anger to break out to the reproach and injury of your neighbour, as well as tó your own shame, do not only repent in secret before God, but take a proper time to confess it to the person whom you have in- jured, and ask their pardon. This will have a considerable ten - dency to future watchfulness, and help to guard you from the same folly for time to come. Among other directionsI might have added, avoid rude and quarrelsome company; avoid excessive drinking and gaming; and all lewd and vicious courses: But I hope I haveno need tò mention these rules to those persons for whom I chiefly write. I proceed now to lay down some considerations; which may en- force the practice of these rules. 1. Think with yourself, how much injury you do yourself by suffering your angry passions to rise and prevail. The fire of wrath and resentment preys upon your nature; destroys your health and your ease; fills your spirit with tumults and disquie- tudes, exposes you to shame before men, breaks the peace of your conscience, brings you under guilt before God, and makes a painful preparation for bitter repentance. Why will you punish yourself because another has injured you ? Or, if another man be rude and wrathful, ill-natured and ill-bred, why will yon imitate him, and expose yourself? 2. Think again; how much more pleasure and glory there is in overcoming the violence of your own spirit, than in yielding to your headstrong passions, and suffering yourselves to be carried away with the torrent of your own resentments. He that rules his own spirit is agreater hero than he that conquers a city ; Prov. xvi. 32. I'o be angry about trifles; ismean and childish ; to rage and be furious, is brutish ; and to maintain perpetual wrath, is a-kin to the practice and temper of devils ; but to prevent or Ouppress rising resentment, is wise and glorious, is manly and tt2
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