A Treatise of Self-Denial, Treatise · Chapter 30
CHAP. XXX. Revengeful paſsions to be denied.
13. ANother part of ſelf-denial conſiſteth in the denying of Revengeful Paſsions that provoke us againſt thoſe that have done us wrong, or that we judge to be our enemies. It is the common ſaying of ſuch perſons as are diſpoſed to this ſin, that Revenge is ſweet: it eaſeth the minds of malicious perſons to have their will upon their adverſaries, and to ſee them at their feet. Nothing of all his honours and proſperity could ſatisfie …aman till he was revenged of Mordecai. As a burning f…ſtering …o…l or ap…ſteme is eaſed by opening and vent, ſo is a boiling pa…ionate mind, when by railing ſpeeches, or revengeful actions it venteth it ſelf againſt them that they hate. But in this alſo ſelf muſt be denied by all that will be Chriſts Diſciples: for he forgiveth none but thoſe that can heartily forgive another: And that we may know that this is a part of ſelf-denial of great neceſſity, he hath put it into our prayers, and will not have us ſo much as ask for forgiveneſs our ſelves, if we cannot forgive; that we may know, that ſeeing it is not to be asked for on lower terms, it is not to be hoped for. The forgiving grace of God in Chriſt doth ſo melt and overcome the hearts of all true Chriſtians, that it diſpoſeth them in their meaſure to imitate him in forgiving: And they cannot find in their heart to take another by the throat for an hundred pence, when their Lord hath forgiven them ten thouſand talents, Mat. 18. 24. 28. The grace that is moſt gloriouſly manifeſted in the Goſpel muſt needs make the deepeſt impreſtion on the ſoul, and conſequently conform the ſoul into its image: and doubtleſs this is love, and compaſſion, and forgiving mercy: and therefore he that cannot love his enemy, bleſs them that curſe him, and pray for them that hate and perſecute him, and return good for evil, can be no child of God, Mat. 5. 44, 45, 46. It is an inhumane oblivion of our own condition for a man to ſeek revenge of another for a trifle, (for it can be no greater as it is againſt ſuch ſimple worms as we) when ſo many and hainous ſins have been forgiven us. Doth God remit to us the everlaſting torments, and ſhall we inflict on another the venom of our private ſpleen? I know the furious Bedlams and malicious wretches do take all this but for unſatisfactory talk, & it is not words that will ſerve their turns to repair their honour, and eaſe their deviliſh rancorous minds. Fleſh and blood ſay they, cannot endure it. Anſw. And therefore fleſh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, nor corruption inherit incorruption, 1 Cor. 15. 50. Grace can do more than fleſh and blood; and if you cannot forgive, you cannot be forgiven. If it be ſo hard to you to ſorbear, yea to love an enemy, it ſhall be as hard for you to be ſaved, and eſcape the portion of the enemies of God; and if the word of Gods command be but wind with you, the word of his promiſe ſhall be as uneffectual to your ſalvation, as the word of his precept and perſwaſion was uneffectual to your converſion and obedience. As God is Love, ſo his ſanctified ones are turned into Love. Love is their new nature: and Love is not of a Revengeful diſpoſition. Love is the Divine Nature in us; and malice provoking to Revenge is the Deviliſh nature. And a believer is more afraid of the anger of God, than to take his ſword of Revenge out of his hand. He hath learn'd, 1 Pet. 2. 21, 23. 1 Theſ. 4. 6. Rom. 12. 19. [Avenge not your ſelves, but give place to wrath: vengeance is mine, and I will repay, ſaith the Lord. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.