422 MISCELL5NEOCS THOUGHTS. and cruelty ? This sort of conduct carries in it more of the re- semblance of the evil spirit that seeks revenge and mischief. I confess there have been some examples of severe and terrible zeal among the pious Jews ; but we must remember that the meek and peaceful religion of the gospel was not then established ; and we must consider too, that most of these examples had a divine commission, and were immediately inspired by God him- self. Such was the case of Phineas, when he slew the two offenders in the camp of Israel : So Elijah called for fire from heaven, to destroy the two captains and their companies ; and our Lord Jesus Christ, under the same divine influence, scourged the merchants out of the temple. But our Lord himself reproved his own disciples when they had a mind to imitate the wrath of Elijah, and taught them, that under this dispensation, which was shortly to be set up, zeal was a gentler virtue, and more of apiece with the rest of that religion which he designed to in stitute. Another question we should put to ourselves to find whe- ther our anger be excessive or no, is this : Does it throw us off from our guard, dispossess its of our temper, and darken our judgment? Does it make us fierce and positive ? Does it rob us of our patience, and render us deaf to all sober remonstrances and excuses? Then it can never be from God, though it pre -. tend to be for him for self- government is an eternal ditty ; and the wisdom which is from above is swift to hear, and slow to speak; it is easy to be entreated, and full of forgiveness. Finally, let us ask, Does the passion render us unfit for any duty to God, tempt us to omit any duty to man, or hinder us in the performance of either ? We may then assure ourselves it rises to excess, and becomes in some measure criminal. It is a certain rule of prudence, that all these animal pow- ers, be they never so justly employed, deserve a watchful and severe guard upon them, lest they grow unruly and extravagant. The last piece of advice that I would give to my friends, and learn to take myself, is this, That where the mere appear- ance of an angry passion will attain the same end, I will not choose to give myself the trouble and disquietude of feeling a real one. Why should i suffer my blood and spirits to rise into disorder, if the picture of anger in my countenance, and the sound of it imitated in my voice, will effectually discourage and reprove the voice I would forbid ? If I am but wise enough to raise an appearance of resentment, I need not be at the pains to throw myself into this uneasy ferment. Is it not better for me, as a man and a christian, to maintain a calm, sedate aversion to the sin, and express my dislike of it, sometimes at least, rather by a counterfeit than real anger ? If hypocrisy be lawful any where, surely it may be allowed in this case to dissemble a little.
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