Use 1 1 Use, is to those who have had peace spoken to them, let them at such times fear themselves and God most, for then comes in this, as you see here, as the most seasonable admonition that can be given, to return no more to folly. 1. Fear God then most: for of all times else, then sins provoke him most; to come and call him Father, and the guide of your mouth, and yet to fall to sin, this is to do as evil as you can, you cannot do worse. Jer. 3 4, 5. So Ezra 9. After such an escaping, should we again break thy Commandments, wouldest thou not be angry till thou hadst consumed ⟨p. 310⟩us? In times of affliction it is the property of a good child to love GOD most: in times of speaking peace, to fear God most and his goodness, and to fear to offend him for his goodness sake. Did I only say, that God is provoked most then, if you return to folly? Nay, I add further, he is grieved, which is more then to be provoked; and therefore you shall mark that expression and admonition not to grieve Gods Spirit, then comes in, when the Spirit hath sealed us up to the day of redemption, Ephes. 4. 30. Then by sinning we are said more properly to grieve him ⟨p. 311⟩then before, when he hath so far engaged himself to love a man, and expressed himself to him, and set his seal upon him for his. God is angry with wicked mens sins, but he is grieved for yours. To grieve him is more then to anger him. Mere anger is an affection can ease it self by revenge, and by coming even again with the party, and when we can or intend to do so, our minds are not so much aggrieved, but please themselves rather to think of the revenge which we mean to execute: so when wicked men sin whom GOD means to meet with, he ⟨p. 312⟩is said to be angry rather then grieved; and says, I will ease my self of mine adversaries: Isay 1. 24. and avenge my self of mine enemies. But here, as when a mans wife that lies in his bosom, or his child shall wrong him: so is it when one sins, whom God hath set himself to love, and done much for, and made known his everlasting kindness unto, and sealed to the day of redemption: this goes to his heart, grieves him rather then angers him, and such are the truest and deepest griefs. What should he do with you in this case? if afflict you, and by that means go about to ⟨p. 313⟩turn you from your iniquity, therein he shall but afflict himself as it were;
Vse 1 1 Use, is to those who have had peace spoken to them, let them at such times feare themselves and God most, for then comes in this, as you see here, as the most seasonable admonition that can be given, to returne no more to folly. 1. Feare God then most: for of all times else, then sins provoke him most; to come and call him Father, and the guide of your mouth, and yet to fall to sinne, this is to doe as evill as you can, you cannot doe worse. Ier. 3 4, 5. So Ezra 9. After such an escaping, should we againe breake thy Commandements, wouldest thou not be angry till thou hadst consumed ⟨p. 310⟩us? In times of affliction it is the property of a good childe to love GOD most: in times of speaking peace, to feare God most and his goodnesse, and to fear to offend him for his goodnesse sake. Did I onely say, that God is provoked most then, if you return to folly? Nay, I adde further, he is grieved, which is more then to be provoked; and therfore you shall marke that expression and admonition not to grive Gods Spirit, then comes in, when the Spirit hath sealed us up to the day of redemption, Ephes. 4. 30. Then by sinning wee are said more properly to grieve him ⟨p. 311⟩then before, when hee hath so far ingaged himselfe to love a man, and expressed himself to him, and set his seale upon him for his. God is angry with wicked mens sins, but hee is grieved for yours. To grieve him is more then to anger him. Meere anger is an affection can ease it selfe by revenge, and by comming even againe with the party, and when wee can or intend to doe so, our mindes are not so much aggrieved, but please themselves rather to thinke of the revenge which wee meane to execute: so when wicked men sinne whom GOD meanes to meet with, hee ⟨p. 312⟩is said to be angry rather then grieved; and sayes, I will ease my selfe of mine adversaries: Isay 1. 24. and avenge my selfe of mine enemies. But here, as when a mans wife that lies in his bosome, or his child shall wrong him: so is it when one sins, whom God hath set himselfe to love, and done much for, and made knowne his everlasting kindnesse unto, and sealed to the day of redemption: this goes to his heart, grieves him rather then angers him, and such are the truest and deepest griefes. What should hee doe with you in this case? if afflict you, and by that meanes goe about to ⟨p. 313⟩
