The exercise of a christian life. Written in Italian by the Reuerend Father Gaspar Loarte D. of Diuinitie, of the Societie of Iesus. And newly translated into Englishe. by I.S.

REMEDIES against the tenta∣tions and sinnes of wrath.

¶ Cap. 23. (Book 23)

DIVERS of the Remedies that haue beene prescribed thee against pride, maye in like maner helpe thee against this sinne of wrath and anger; seeing, that most commonly such as be proude * 1.1 and hawtie, are wont also to be angry and ireful. Yet neuerthelesse be there other peculier remedies to be vsed a∣gainst this vice.

THE FIRST is, to ponder, howe * 1.2 farre it is out of al good frame and reason, that anye man should be an∣grye, and desire to hurt an-other; sith 〈◊〉〈◊〉 brute beastes, be they ueuer so fel, fight not one with an-other, but liue * 1.3 〈◊〉〈◊〉 peace and vnitie with those of their owne kinde; howe much more reason is it, that men should doo the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who are not borne armed, as brutishe, and sauage beastes be;

nor prouided of wepons to defende them-selues, or to offend others.

SECONDLY beholde the vggli∣nes * 1.4 and deformitie of an angry man, both in his countenaunce, gesture, wordes, and actions; in al the which thou shalt at that time see him won∣derfully disordered, and besides him∣selfe. * 1.5 See thou beware therfore of be∣ing angry, if thou wilt not fal into those defectes, which in others doo so greatly dislike thee.

THIRDLY consider, that whosoe∣uer * 1.6 he be, that hath proffered thee a∣nye wrong or iniurie, hath done him self much more harme then thee; and if thou growe angry therat, and seek reuenge, in so doing thou shalt hurt thy selfe much more then thine ad∣uersary; a 1.7 for that (as S. Chrisostome saith) No man is hurt, but by him-self, which should be no lesse a folye, then for a man to kil him-selfe, to teare his ene∣mies cote; sithens thine enemies body

is as his coate, which thou meaning to teare, in seeking to kil him, doest * 1.8 first slea and kil thine owne soule; for * 1.9 as S. Austin saith: The knife pearceth the heart of the persecutour, before the body of the persecuted. Striue therefore to master thy selfe, and to vanquishe thine ire; and so shalt thou gaine greater ho∣nor and victory, then if thou haddest subdued a mightie Citie; and by this meanes, in not seeking thy selfe, to take reuenge, God shal take it for thee, as he him-selfe hath a 1.10 promised thee.

FOVRTHLY, if the deuil, to stirre thee vp to wrath, do aggrauate thine iniurie receued, & make it greter; doo * 1.11 thou contrariwise what thou canst to lessen it, and to make it smaller, thinking thus, howe he that in this maner hath iniuried thee, is at that time ouercome with some passion or indiscretion; or els cal to minde some good turnes he hath earst done thee;

or how thou hast other-whiles done him some iniurie, which he then did tolerate at thy handes, and therefore is it meete, thou beare nowe likewise with him. And if thou canst not this waies finde any sufficient plaister to heale thy paine withal, cal then to minde, how a 1.12 God hath borne many iniuries at thy handes; that in like maner thou shouldest beare patient∣lye thy neighbours imperfections.

FIFTLY consider, howe both this iniury, which is now done vnto thee, * 1.13 and al other losses that light vppon thee (wherby thou feelest thy self in∣censed and prouoked to anger) are al by Gods diuine dispensation sent * 1.14 vnto thee; that by these scurges, thou shouldest in this life be chastised for thy sinnes; and by bearing patiently this chastisement, come to obteine his grace, and celestial benediction. Thus did that holye king Dauid thinke, who flying the furye of his

sonne Absalon, mett with that wic∣ked man Simei in the high way, who * 1.15 reuiled him with vilanous and re∣procheful speeches, and threw stones at him; whereby one of his captaines being bent to cutt off his head, in re∣uenge of so outragious an iniurie and crime cōmitted against his sacred ma iestie; this patient & most mild king did forbid him, saying; let him curse and raile vpon me, for so hath our Lorde commaunded him; and it may be, our Lord wil by this means looke vpon mine afflictions, and geue me good for the euil, which this man doth wishe me. In like maner maiest thou beleeue, that by bearing pati∣entlye the villanies and iniuries that shal-be saide and done against thee, God wil so dispose, that al shal turne to thy greater benefite, and comfort of thy soule.

SIXTLY, if thou feele thy selfe al∣readie * 1.16 ouercome with anger, take heede in anye wise thou neither doo nor speake then any thing, whereby this inward indignation thou feelest, may burst forth in outward shewe; but force thee al thou maiest to bri∣dle and represse it; and get thee out of his company, whom thou art thus offended with; busie thy mind also a∣bout some other affairs vntil this fire flaming within thee be some-what quēched; suspecting ech thing which * 1.17 thou then thinkest meete to be done or spoken, yea, seeme it neuer so ho∣nest and reasonable; for afterwardes, when this angry heate is throughlye cooled, then maiest thou a great deal more miturely examin, whether that thou thoughtest of before, be conue∣nient to be done or spoken. And by thus doing shalt thou within a smal while, see this angry blast blowne o∣uer; and be thy selfe greatly conten∣ted

and comforted by hauing ouer∣come thy temptation; and perceaue the deuil, a 1.18 who egged thee therto, to be fled with vtter confusion. Thus reade we in the liues of holy Fathers, that Isaac the Abbot did; who being demaunded by an-other father, why the fiendes did feare him so? made this aunswer; From that time (quoth he) that I was first made a monke, I determined with my selfe, neuer to let any anger issue out of my mouth, but to mortifie and burye it within me; and for this cause is it, the deuils doo so greatly dreade me. So maiest thou wel hope they wil doo to thee, if thou indeuour thy selfe to doo the same that he did. Beware also the a 1.19 Sunne doo neuer go downe vppon b 1.20 thine anger; according, as S, Paul ad∣monisheth; that is to say, that thou expel it quicklye, and suffer it not longe to soiourne in thy soule; for so might it turn into c 1.21 hatred, & become

more daungerous and harder to be healed. We reade, howe the Abbot Agatho was wont to saye; Neuer would I (quoth he) sleepe, being of∣fended with any man; neither haue I suffred (as much as laye in me) that any other man should sleepe, that was offended with me; but went a∣bout forthwith to make attonement both in my selfe and others. Indeuor thou to doo the like, as occasion may geue thee leaue.

These Remedies maiest thou at such time principally put in vre, whō thou perceauest thy selfe offended towardes others. But if thou contra∣ri-wise see an-other offended and angry with thee, then frame thy selfe to doo one of these two things; a 1.22 ei∣ther couertly in the best maner thou canst, to winde thy selfe out of his companye that is angrye, vntil the wrath he hath conceaued be worne

ouer; or a 1.23 els (wanting oportunitie to doo thus) force thee to ouercome euil with good, according to the b 1.24 Apo∣stles counsaile, seeking to appease him with some faire and humble speeches, sith, (as the wise c 1.25 man saith) A milde aunswere asswageth anger, and harde speeches kindle furye and rage. But if thou shouldest want meanes to doo either of these, take such order at least wise, as to be silent, whiles thou seest him in these freatting fumes; and in thy heart to praye to God for him; for that, as S. d 1.26 Gregory saith; It is a great deale more glorious, to shun ne wrath by silence, then to subdue it by aunswering.

LASTLY note, that if the anger or * 1.27 impatience whiche thou feelest in thee, proceede not of any iniurie or wronge done to thee by any person, but through the aduersities and tri∣bulations that befal thee in this life, then shal it be a very good Remedie,

to remember the a 1.28 examples of such perfect and holy men, as haue endu∣red with great patience farre greater tribulations and calamities thē thine be. Remember that inuincible pati∣ence of Iob, who with so stoute a * 1.29 courage susteined so many losses, so many sores, such infinite number of griefes, corseys, hart-breakes, as hap∣pened to him in one instant. Neither did he amongst al these millions of miseries once droope, b 1.30 or shewe by worde or deede any signe of blame∣worthy impatience, as the holy scrip∣ture testifieth. Thinke also of that holye man c 1.31 Tobias his rare pati∣ence; who in his blindnes, pouertie, and al his other annoyes had conti∣nually a constant minde, and confor∣mable to the wil of God. Consider also that mildnes and meruailous pa∣tience of the holy prophet d 1.32 Moises, whom not al the continual troubles and murmuringes of that ingrateful

people which he had brought out of Egipt could suffice to disquiet, or moue to anger. The like patiēce and mildnes maiest thou note in that ho∣ly a 1.33 king Dauid, amongst al the mani∣folde persecutions and afflictions he suffred through the whole course & perrode of his life. The same constā∣cie and patient minde shalt thou in like maner find by discoursing many other of the holy prophetes and per∣fect mens liues of the old Testament, and much more exactly in the newe; sith we reade in S. b 1.34 Luke, touching the Apostles, how they being by de∣cree and counsail of the Pharises bett and outragiously iniured; they abidd and passed ouer al with great glad∣nes, as being thought woorthy to suf∣fer these contemptes for the name of IESVS. And not onely these, but in∣numerable other tormentes did they suffer, with like constancie & cheer∣fulnes; shedding their bloud, and lo∣sing

their liues for loue of the same Lord. And after them, did in like ma∣ner manye thousande thousandes of martirs, whom thou maiest also vn∣bethinke thee of. But aboue al, cal to minde, and pause for the nonst, to po∣der that meruailous and incompara∣ble patience of the holy of al holies, our Sauiour & Redeemer Iesus Christe, * 1.35 who suffered much more persecuti∣ons, paines, reproches, villanies, griefs, tormentes in al his life time, & with farre greater constancie and meek∣nes then any other, conformablye to that the prophete Esay a 1.36 foretolde; that he should stand domme, euen like a Lambe before the Shearer. And S. b 1.37 Peter saith, how being railed vpō and reuiled by others; he gaue no cuil words at al, & in suffering so greeuous tormentes, did not threaten those that with such barbarous crueltie tormented him; yea, in recompence prayed to his c 1.38 e∣uerlasting father for them. If thou

propounde these thinges, with th'o∣ther examples before thine eyes, al thy tribulations, aduersities, and per∣secutions what-soeuer shal seem but very smal and easie to thee, and thou be animated and encouraged to en∣dure al very patiently.

THOV maiest also in this case ap∣plye * 1.39 an-other remedie, by conside∣ring the great commoditie thou shalt reape by these tentations and tribu∣lations, which thou suffiest. This cō∣sideration, as S. Gregory affirmeth, * 1.40 doth mittigate the force of the whip and scourge. Thinke therefore, that like as gold a 1.41 is with fire fined in the fornace; so shal thy soule be purged with the fire of tribulations; And that for this cause God doth send thē to thee, as a father that loueth thee dearly; & by chastising b 1.42 thee as a son he doth purge & purifie thee; wheras if thou lackest this discipline, & his holy rod of correctiō, thou shouldest

this title and name of sonne. Beleeue * 1.43 furthermore, that the stones which are to be laide in the celeslial Icrusa∣lem, must first be hewen here with many blowes of tribulations, paines, * 1.44 and persecutions; for aboue in those heauenlye boures, there shal-be no noyse of a 1.45 hammers; to witt, no do∣lours or wailinges, no toiles nor ten∣tations at al, but an endlesse ioye, and happy quietnes. Beleeue like-wise, that if (as S b 1.46 Paule faith) thou be a companion of Christ in this life, in his passions and tribulations; thou shalt in the next life be a companion of his ioyes and consolations. And if thou suffer with him in this worlde, thou shalt afterwardes reigne with him euerlastingly in th'other world. And if here thou beest a litle afflic∣ted and grecued (sith the afflic∣ted of this short life, are but short and smal) thou shalt afterwardes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in heuen with a glorious & 〈◊〉〈◊〉

ioye, as S. a 1.47 Peter promiseth thee.

Al these thinges, if thou consider them wel, as the holye Saintes afore∣time haue pondered and considered them, thou wilt not onely abide pa∣tientlye these thy present tribulati∣ons; but yeeld moste hartie thankes to that Lorde, who with so singuler loue doth sende them, for thy bene∣fite, & b 1.48 the enriching of thy crown; knowing, that it is impossible to come by so great a reward as we look for, without great paines and trauail. And truelye, great reason is it, that Christians like good souldiers should folow their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christe; tracing his steps, and walking the same waye he went before, and entred into his glorye.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The proud man iresul
• * 1.2

  The first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a∣gainst 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.3

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of brute beasts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the malicex of mankinde.
• * 1.4

  The 2. Re∣medie a∣gainst an∣ger.
• * 1.5

  An angrye man be∣sides him∣selfe.
• * 1.6

  The 3. Re∣medie a∣gainst anger.
• a 1.7

  Chris. he. 9. Quod 〈◊〉〈◊〉 la∣ditur 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.8

  Mark wel.
• * 1.9

  S. Austin.
• a 1.10

  Deu. 32. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Eccl. 28. a. Rom. 12. d. Heb. 9. c.
• * 1.11

  The. 4. Re∣medie a∣gainst an∣ger.
• a 1.12

  Sap. 11. d.
• * 1.13

  The fist re∣medie a∣gainst an∣ger.
• * 1.14

  Gods pro∣uidence in al afflicts ons.
• * 1.15

  A singuler example of patience in K. Dauid.
• * 1.16

  The 6. Re∣medie a gainst an∣ger.
• * 1.17

  Al our thoughtes to be sus∣pected be ing in an∣ger.
• a 1.18

  Iac. 4. b.
• a 1.19

  Iac. 4. b.
• b 1.20

  Eph. 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• c 1.21

  Aug. epist. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ad Prosis tur.
• a 1.22

  Amb. ca. 21. li. Ioff. ex Rom. 12. d. Gen. 27. g. Iacob fra∣tri indig∣nanti ces∣sit.
• a 1.23

  Basil. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de Ira. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 arg. 10.
• b 1.24

  Ro. 12. c.
• c 1.25

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 15. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 &. 25. b.
• d 1.26

  Greg. 3. part. past∣cur ad. 17.
• * 1.27

  The last remedie a∣gainst an∣ger.
• a 1.28

  Ber. ser. 16. ad sorn. de. mo. be. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.29

  Examples of patiece.
• b 1.30

  Iob. 2. e.
• c 1.31

  Tob. 2. b. c
• d 1.32

  Exo. 15. a 16. a. Num. 14. a
• a 1.33

  2. Re. 16. a. b.
• b 1.34

  Act. 5. g.
• * 1.35

  The pati∣ence of our Sauiour.
• a 1.36

  Esa. 53. b Mat. 26. s.
• b 1.37

  1. Pe 2. d
• c 1.38

  Luc. 23 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.39

  A good co∣sideration against anger.
• * 1.40

  S. Gregor.
• a 1.41

  1. Pe. 1. b. Sap. 3. a Prou. 17 a
• b 1.42

  Heb. 12. b Apoc. 3 d Prou. 3. b
• * 1.43

  Chastise∣ment a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of loue.
• * 1.44

  Stones for heauenlye buildinges must be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 here in earthlye bowrs.
• a 1.45

  3. Re. 6. a Aug in psal. 121. ca. 8. & hym. Vrbs beata 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• b 1.46

  Rom 8. c.
• a 1.47

  1. Pc 4, c. d.
• b 1.48

  Iac q. b. c 2. Tim. 2. a. 4. b. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Apor. 2. b. c g. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tob. 3. d.