The Cure of Unjust Anger

The Cure for Unjust Anger by John Downame (d. 1652) 

John Downame received his education at Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he received his Bachelor of Divinity. On August 4, 1599, he was installed as vicar. After preaching at two other churches, he resigned from his post in 1618. In 1630, he became Rector of Great Allhallows, Thomas Street, which he continued until his death. In the 1630s, Downame began giving lectures which were very popular.  

He also became a book publisher and printed Thomas Sutton’s Lectures on Romans, Ussher’s Body of Divinity, edited several works, and cowrote some titles. He also wrote ten of his own books. J. I. Packer described him well by saying that he, “stands with Perkins, Greenham, and Richard Rogers as one of the architects of the Puritan theology of Godliness.” Downame was a pastor, theologian, author, publisher, husband, and father of 3 sons and several daughters. 

Description of the book 

This book was the first book that John Downame wrote and as such, it is very short and sweet. From a Biblical perspective, John Downame defines what anger is in a concise and clear manner by comparing it to the health of the body. He provides numerous “remedies” as he points the reader to the Great Physician who provides these remedies to believers. Downame gives many examples of what unjust anger is and looks like, but also condones what he calls, “sanctified anger,” which is an anger provoked by the harm of God’s people.  

Throughout the whole book, Downame’s arguments are drawn straight from the Scriptures. He points the reader back to the Bible with every argument that he makes. Downame provides the reader with categories to put anger into. Is this anger righteous or unjust? Downame helps to answer this question. 

Three quotes from the book 

“Anger is an affection in which someone is moved to retaliation in response to a perceived injury or injustice. The injury in question may be either a true injustice or only an injury in one’s perception, and it may be an injury against oneself or one’s friends, relatives, or some other group.” - p. 5 

“Someone might object that our Savior taught us to turn the other cheek. But Christ did not mean that we should expose ourselves to all injuries but should rather refrain from personal revenge. He would have this so far from us that we should be prepared to receive a new injury rather than take vengeance into our own hands.” - p. 20 

“May all those who find themselves subject to this unruly passion of anger carefully apply to themselves the remedies and medicines we must use for curing of anger, either in our selves or in others.” - p. 125 

Where this book is currently published 

This book has recently been updated (but not abridged) by Brian Hedges, making it accessible and enjoyable to every reader. It is published by Reformation Heritage Books in their series Puritan Treasures for Today.