A PRESERVATIVE FROM SIN AND FOLLY. 271 lion upon every slight occasion, or when I let my anger grow violent or con- tinue long. Reason against thissin. Because a man in a passion is often led to say or do those things which he bitterly repents of afterwards. Scripture. "Prov. xis. 29. He that is slow to wrath is ofgreat understand- ing, but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. Ec. vii. 9. Anger restetb, or remaineth long, in the bosomof fools. Eph. iv. 26. Be yo angry and sin not: Let not the sun go down upon your wrath, neither give place to the devil." 36. Q. What are the ill consequences of sinful anger ? A. These five : 37. Q. What is the first ? A. 1. Railing and calling ill .names. Reason against this sin. Because railers are not fit for sober company, and are very displeasing to God. Scripture. " Mat. v. 22. Whosoever is angry with bis brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment and whosoever shall say, thou fool, that is, thou art a wicked wretch, shall be in danger of hell-fire. I Pet. lì. 9. We must not render railing for railing, much less may we begin to rail. 38. Q. What is the second ill consequence of sinful anger? A. 2. Striking of others, striving and fighting, which sometimes reaches even to blood and murder. Reason against this sin. Because if we are injured, it is better to complain to parents and masters, that we may have right done us ; whereas quarrelling and fighting is but pleasing the devil, and is thecause of much mischief Scripture. " James iv. 1. From whence come wars and fightings among you ? Come they not from your lusta? Gal. v. 15. If ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consu.oed one of another." 39. Q. What is the third ill consequence of sinful anger ? A. 3. Curs- ing, and wishing mischief to befal others ? Reason againstthis sin. Because this is not loving our neighbour as our- selves. The tongue was made to bless God, and not to curse men, who are made after the image of God. James iii. 9, And the mischief sometimes falla upen him that curses. Scripture. " Rom. xii. 14. Bless them that persecute you : bless, and cursenot. Ps. cix. 27. As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him : as be de- lighted not in blessing, so letit be far fromhim" 40. Q. What is the fourth ill consequence of sinful anger ? A. 4. Re- venge, or doing mischiefto others, for some real or supposed injury they have alone me. Reason against this sin. Because it belongs to our rulers and not to us to punish those that injure us. It is our duty to forgive. Scripture. " Rom.xii. 19. Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath ; for it is written, vengeance la mine, I will rrepay, saith the Lord. Mat, vi. 15. If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses," 41. Q. What is the fifth ill consequence of sinful anger ? A. 5. Where it is indulged for a few hours it often turns into sullenness, and if it continue long it will grow into settled malice and hatred. Reason againstsullenness. Because it inclines children, when any thing has offended them, not toeat or drink, not to speak or smile, to go aside into corners and pout ; or when they come tinto company they lour and scowl, and perhaps now and then throwout a dark and spiteful word. Now all this is but taking re- venge upon myself, as well as spewing my ill temper to the world. Reason against malice. A malicious man is the very image of the devil, and can never be beloved by men. See more under the sin of spite, which is near a-kin to malice. Scripture. 'r Eph. iv. 31, 32. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and auger, and clamour, and evil- speaking, be put away from you with all malice ; and be ye kindone to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgivenyou. 1 John iii. 15. Whosoever hatethhis brother is a murderer. John viii. 44. Ye are of your father the devil, he was a murderer from the beginning." 42. Q. Thus muchconcerning sinful anger, tell me now, what is injus- tice? A. Taking what is not due to me: and this may be done four ways.
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