This expression is very remarkable, and demands special attention. It is meant to remind us that our Lord Jesus Christ was a man like ourselves in all things, sin only excepted. Whatever sinless feelings belong to the constitution of man, our Lord partook of, and knew by experience. We read that He " marvelled," that He " rejoiced/' that He " wept," that He " loved," and here we read that He felt " anger."
It is plain from these words that there is an " anger" which is lawful, right, and not sinful. There is an indignation which is justifiable, and on some occasions may be properly manifested. The words of Solomon and St. Paul both seem to teach the same lesson. " The north wind driveth away rain, so doth an angry counte- nance a backbiting tongue." " Be ye angry and sin not." (Prov. xxv. 23. Ephes. iv. 26.)
Yet it must be confessed that the subject is full of dif- ficulty. Of all the feelings that man's heart experiences, there is none perhaps which so soon runs into sin as the feeling of anger. There is none which once excited seems less under control. There is none which leads on to so much evil. The length to which ill-temper, irritability, and passion, will carry even godly men, all must know. The history of " the contention" of Paul and Barnabas at Antioch, and the story of Moses being provoked till he " spake unadvisedly with his lips," are familiar to every Bible reader. The awful fact that passionate words are a breach of the sixth commandment, is plainly taught in the Sermon on the Mount. And yet here we see that there is anger which is lawful.
Let us leave this subject with an earnest prayer, that we may all be enabled to take heed to our spirit in the
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