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CHAP. V.
WE haue examined what wrath is, and whether it might seaze any other Creature then a man, wherein it differed from displeasure and of the kinds of the same. Let vs now enquire whether wrath be according to nature, whether it be profitable, and whether in any sort wee ought to restraine the same. It will manifestly ap∣peare whether it bee according to nature if wee consider a man, for there is no∣thing so peaceable, and gouerned as he is, as long as his minde is gouerned and paci••ied: but what is more cruell then anger? what Creature, is more louing to∣ward his like then man is? what is more hateful then wrath? A man is borne to h••lpe other, wrath for the generall ruine of all. A man desir••th nothing more then companie, wrath s••archeth solitude, the one will assist, the other wil hurt, this desireth to shew himselfe kind, though it be but to strangers, the other to endang••r her familiars. A man is readie to hazard his owne life to secure ano∣thers. Wrath is readie to hazard danger, prouided, shee may hazard some o∣ther with her selfe. Who therefore is more ignorant, of the nature of thinges, then hee that to her best and commendablest works assigneth this so sauage and pernicious a vice? Wrath as we said is greedie of vengeance, and that desire of reuenge should be in the most peaceable heart of a man, is a thing which is not consonant to his nature. For humane life consisteth vpon benefits and concord, it is not then by threat••s but by mutuall amitie that men are allied and ti••d to assist one an other. What then? Is not Chastisement sometimes necessarie? Why not? but this must be sincere and with reason. For it hurteth not but hea∣leth vnder a resemblance of hurting. Euen as to straighten the steales of our Ia∣velings, which are wax••n crooked, wee burne them and plie them in a vice of Iron or Wood, not to the intent to breake them, but make them more euen and straight: so correct wee our wits being depraued with vice, with the paine both of bodie and minde. And in like sort, as the Physition, hauing some light infirmities in cure assaieth: First, to change some little of the ordinarie custome of the sicke to prescribe his dyet, his drinke, his exercises, and to confirme his health by the only changes of the order of his life. Secondly, hee indeuoureth to bring this to passe that this meanes may profit, and if it happen other wayes he diminisheth and cutteth of some thinges; and if this be not enough hee for∣biddeth the sick-man all meates, and rectifieth his bodie by enioyning him ab∣stinence: and if these gentle remedies haue effected nothing, he openeth a vaine and if any members be harmeful one vnto an other that cleaue vnto the same, and spread their euill thorow the bodie he deuideth them, and there is no cure that the sick-man supposeth gri••uous, if the effect of the same bring him health: In like sort it behoueth the Magistrate, who is the conseruer and maintainer of the Lawe to heale mens mindes, by gentle wordes and perswasions as much as in him lieth, perswading his subjects to doe that which is commanded them, and imprinting in their thoughts the loue of justice and honestie; in briefe pro∣posing for the reward of vertue he hatred of vice: afterwardes he ought to vse sharper words contenting himselfe as yet to aduertise and threaten. Finally, he must haue reourse to punishments, and yet such as are light and revocable. The vttermost punishments shall be inflicted for the greatest faults: to the ••nd that no man may perish except it be he that is put to death, and for whom it is ex∣pedient to die.