[2.] The honour of God is the only motive that excites holy zeal; but pride or evil surmise, is generally the occasion of sinful anger. Thus Jehu’s executing the vengeance of God, in cutting off Ahab’s wicked family, was right, as to the matter of it; yet it had a great mixture of ambition, pride, and private hatred of them, as those whom he thought would stand in competition with him for the crown; and for this action he also desires the applause and esteem of the people; and therefore says to Jonadab, Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord, 2 Kings x. 16. so that the one is attended with many Other graces, the other with many sins.
[3.] Holy zeal for God inclines us to express anger against his enemies, with sorrow and reluctancy, as being grieved for their sin, and at the same time desiring their reformation and salvation; but sinful anger meditates revenge, is restless till it has accomplished it, Prov. iv. 16. and pleased with having opportunities of executing it.
[4.] Holy zeal sets aside, or is not much concerned about injuries as directed against ourselves; but as they reflect dishonour on the name of God, or are prejudicial to his interest in the world. With this view it was that David says concerning Edom, Happy shall he be that dasheth thy little ones against the stones, Psal. cxxxvii. 9. when at the same time, he professes, that it was for Jerusalem’s sake that he desired the ruin of his enemies, and not his own; for he says, that he preferred Jerusalem above his chief joy, ver. 6. Whereas, on the other hand, sinful anger designs or wishes evil to others, to promote our own interest and advantage.
(2.) We shall now consider the aggravations of sinful passion.
[1.] It unfits a soul for holy duties. Accordingly our Saviour advises his people, first to be reconciled to their brethren, and then come and offer their gift, Matt. v. 23, 24.
[2.] If attempt to reprove sin, or persuade to duty, in passion, it will tend to take away the force, and hinder the success of the arguments we use.
[3.] It will occasion sorrow and shame, when reflected on in our most serious thoughts.
[4.] It will expose us to Satan’s temptations, and occasion a multitude of sins; therefore the apostle calls it, a giving place to the Devil, Eph. iv. 27.
[5.] The smallest injuries are hereby magnified, and our resentments exceed their due bounds. We do not consider, as we ought to do, that the injuries done against us, are very small when compared with the sins we commit, whereby we dishonour God.
[6.] It is opposite to a Christian temper, and very much unlike that frame of spirit, which our Saviour has recommended concerning loving our enemies, Matt. v. 44. and is also contrary to his example, Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again, 1 Pet. ii. 23.