XXVI.

EPH. iv. 26.

BE YE ANGRY, AND SIN NOT: LET NOT THE

SUN GO DOWN UPON YOUR WRATH.

OME divines, I think, have gone rather too

SOME

far, when, defcribing our bleffed Saviour's character, they will not allow him to have been ever discompofed. We are told, he had at the fame time to ftruggle with the prejudices, the mistakes, and mifconftructions of his friends, and the inveterate rancour of his enemies; but yet he never fuffered either the one or the other to disturb the compofure of his mind.

If the excellent prelate, from whom this paffage is taken, means only that our bleffed Saviour's mind alone was undisturbed, it is most probable it

* See Bishop Porteus's Sermons, vol. i. p. 308.

always was. But as we can judge only from outward expreffions, it is certain, that on different occafions he shewed fuch figns as indicate our dif compofure.In one place, (Mark, iii. 5.) we are told, he looked round him with anger. In other places, we are informed, he treated the Scribes and Pharifees with great afperity of language; and the rebuke he gave St. Peter, was a strong expreffion of indignation.

It may be added, that his fhewing a proper discompofure of temper throws a neceffary light on various circumstances in the lives and writings of his apostles, who likewise, on different occafions, expreffed their displeasure. Though there are instances, in which fome of them might carry their refentment too far; yet they should not be deprived of their Master's example, as far as it might serve them.

It may be added alfo, that as our Saviour intended to give all his followers an example in every thing, he might likewife intend us an example in regulating the paffion of anger. The paffion of anger furely was not implanted in us without reafon; and it is an excellent leffon to us, that our Saviour was never difcompofed

by

by any of the trifling accidents of life; but only where truth, religion, and virtue were concerned. -By throwing thefe lights on our bleffed Saviour's discompofure, I think cavillers are in the best manner filenced.

XXVII.

2 Cor. x. 5.

BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.

HIS text may be illuftrated, by confidering

TH

the nature of a state of captivity. A captive is a vanquished enemy. He hath made refistance; but, all refiftance being now over, he is subdued; and, having forfeited his life by his oppofition, in order to redeem it, he now fubmits to the mercy of his conqueror.

Let us apply this to religion, and we shall have the general meaning of the text. We have all refifted our bleffed Lord, and maintained a war against him, under the banners of fin. Some with the folly of madmen, obstinately continue a war, which they know muft end in their ruin.

Others

Others in time submit, accept their forfeit lives from their conqueror, obey his will, and are received into mercy.

The captivity of our wicked thoughts is implied, as well as of our actions. Religion hath made no conqueft over us, till, in the language of the text, we bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.