teaching the people to render evil for evil, to pay their e∣nemies in their own coin, and to give them as good as they brought. This is a dictate of corrupt nature, and her chief Secretary Aristotle proclaimeth it. To be avenged of our enemies is held better in point of honour, then to be reconciled unto them. Flesh and bloud 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that it is matter of good mettall to be quick of touch, as forward in returning as others are in offering wrong. For if a man finde his enemy, will he let him go well away? said Saul. This is quite against the principles of nature and common pollicy. To turn again, and revenge, is counted courage; which yet the word of God calleth cowardlinesse, disgrace, and losse of victory. It is not manlinesse, but foolishnesse, Eccles. 7. 9. It's brutishnesse; Anger a dogge, and hee'l fly in your face: touch an Asse, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kick and winch. Its basenesse, so to be led by our passions, as to be able to bear nothing, as Simeon and Levi, bre∣thren in iniquity, that in their anger slew a man, and in their self∣will digged down a wall. Their father Iacob, heard that Dinah was defiled, and held his peace; he reyned in his passions, by set∣ting God before them: and so that divine Proverb was made good in him: He that is slow to anger is better then the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit (as Iacob) then he that taketh a City (as his sons.) It is a godly mans part, at some times, and in some places, to be deaf and dumb, as if he understood not, or as men in whose mouthes are no reproof. Which as David could skill of at some times, Psal, 38 14. and in his carriage towards Shimei, so at other times (when the flesh prevailed) he could not, Psal. 39. 2, 3. and in his expedition against Nabal. But Peter must put up his sword, if he mean to be Christs Disciple. And Christians must not so much as grudge one against another, unlesse they will be condemned: for behold, the Iudge standeth before the door, as ready to right us. As if we retaliate we leave him nothing to doe, unlesse it be to turn his wrath from our enemy, on whom we have been avenged al∣ready, upon our selves, for our sin of self-revenge. We use to say, if the Magistrate be not present, we may offend another, to defend our selves: but if the Magistrate be present, there is no excuse. Now here the Judge standeth before the door, and crieth out unto us with a loud voice: Dearly beloved, avenge not your selves, but rather keep the Kings peace, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 give place to wrath; that is, to the wrath of God ready to seize upon thine adversary, if thou prevent it not by an over-hasty revenge of the wrongs offered thee.