Page:Sermons for all the Sundays in the year.djvu/269

 (Matt. v. 24.) And he who has received any offence, should endeavour to root out of his heart not only all anger, but also every feeling of bitterness towards the persons who have offended him. “Let all bitterness," says St. Paul, "and anger and indignation be put away from you." (Eph. iv. 31.) As long as anger continues, follow the advice of Seneca ” When you shall be angry do nothing, say nothing, which may be dictated by anger." Like David, be silent, and do not speak, when you feel that you are disturbed. ” I was troubled, and I spoke not." (Ps. lxxvi. 5.) How many when inflamed with anger, say and do what they afterwards, in their cooler moments, regret, and excuse themselves by saying that they were in a passion? As long, then, as anger lasts we must be silent, and abstain from doing or resolving to do anything; for, what is done in the heat of passion will, according to the maxim of St. James, be unjust. ” The anger of man worketh not the justice of God." (i. 20.) It is also necessary to abstain altogether from consulting those who might foment our indignation. "Blessed," says David, "is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly." (Ps. i. 1.) To him who is asked for advice, Ecclesiasticus says. "If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire; and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched." (Eccl. xxviii. 14.) When a person is indignant at some injury which he has received, you may, by exhorting him to patience, extinguish the fire; but, if you encourage revenge, you may kindle a great flame. Let him, then, who feels himself in any way inflamed with anger, be on his guard against false friends, who, by an imprudent word, may be the cause of his perdition. 11. Let us follow the advice of the apostle: ” Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good." (Hom, xii. 21.) "Be not overcome by evil:" do not allow yourself to be conquered by sin. If, through anger, you seek revenge or utter blasphemies, you are overcome by sin. But you will say: "I am naturally of a warm temper." By the grace of God, and by doing violence to yourself, you will be able to conquer your natural disposition. Do not consent to anger, and you shall subdue the warmth of your temper. But you say:  ” I cannot bear