April 18

Thursday after Second Sunday in Lent

Cease from anger. Psalms 37:8.

PRAYER is the great remedy against anger. If a man, to cure his anger, resolves to address himself to God by prayer, it is first necessary that by his own observation and diligence he lay the anger aside before his prayer can be fit to be presented; and when we so pray, and so endeavour, we have all the blessings of prayer which God hath promised to it, to be our security for success. If anger rises suddenly and violently, first restrain it with consideration, and then let it end in a hearty prayer for him that did the real or seeming injury. The former stops its growth, and the latter quite kills it. Remove from thyself all provocations and incentives to anger. If anger arise in thy breast, instantly seal up thy lips, and let it not go forth, for, like fire when it wants vent, it will suppress itself. Consider the example of the ever-blessed Jesus, Who suffered all the contradiction of sinners.

Yea, ransomed sinner! wouldst thou know How often to forgive,

How dearly to embrace thy foe, Look where thou hop'st to live;

When thou hast told those isles of light, And fancied all beyond,

Whatever owns, in depth or height, Creation's wondrous bond;

Then in their solemn pageant learn Sweet mercy's praise to see;

Their Lord resigned them all, to earn The bliss of pardoning thee.