Chapter II.
Of those who say that anger is not injurious, if we are
angry with those who do wrong, since God Himself is said to be
angry.
We
have heard some people
trying to excuse this most pernicious disease of the soul, in such a
way as to endeavour to extenuate it by a rather shocking way of
interpreting Scripture: as they say that it is not injurious if we are
angry with the brethren who do wrong, since, say they, God Himself is
said to rage and to be angry with those who either will not know Him,
or, knowing Him, spurn Him, as here: “And the anger of the Lord
was kindled against His people;”
918
or where the prophet prays and says, “O Lord, rebuke me not in
thine anger, neither chasten me in thy displeasure;”
919
not understanding that, while they want to
open to men an excuse for a most pestilent sin, they are ascribing to
the Divine Infinity and Fountain of all purity a taint of human
passion.
918
Ps. cv. (cvi.)
40
.
919
Ps. vi. 2
.