Page:MeditationsOnTheMysteriesOfOurHolyV1.djvu/272

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tions of enmity against him. Also discords, processes, brawlings, schisms, factions, and wars proceed from anger, with many other sins that accompany them.

2. Finally, with wrath is joined impatience at the evils that happen to us against our health, honour, or wealth — overcharging ourselves with grief through a vehement and inordinate desire to be delivered from them, from whence are wont to proceed many sins against Almighty God, against our neighbour and against ourselves. Such as are complaints against our Lord, because He afflicts us, with a tendency to blasphemy, want of conformity to His will, distrusts, irksomeness of life, impatient desires of death, and with rage laying violent hands upon ourself; to be ill-tempered, rough, and intractable towards others, giving them occasion of indignation, and living at discord with those of one's own house, being angry even with the beasts and insensible things, as Jonas was angry with the " ivy " that " withered," when the sun oppressed it with heat [1] Considering these sins, and finding myself culpable of them before God, I will turn my wrath against myself only, because I have sinned, [2] beseeching our Lord that He will assist me to vanquish it.

Colloquy. — O infinite God, whose wrath is terrible, but yet just, against those who are angry without measure, clear the eyes of my soul, that, considering the terrible chastisements that proceed from Thy sacred indignation, I may restrain those evil and vehement passions that proceed from mine! Amen.

POINT II.

1. Secondly, I will consider the evils and chastisements of this vice, as well those it brings with it as those which God of His justice adds in this life and in the life to come.

  1. Jonse iv. 9.
  2. Ps.iv.5.