3 It is as far from God his nature to deride any man, as it is for him to repent: but our1 sins are so great, that if it were possible, ye should make him a scoffer. But as when salvation2 is wrought in the highest measure, it is wrought in greatest compassion; so the highest point of revenge is derision. We know the nature of God is full of pity, and (unless it be to very evil persons) his speeches are full of compassion. Speak my people, saith he, Micah. 6. And Isaiah. 5. What have I not done that I could do to thee? And, Oh that my people would have heard, Psal. 81. And when they would not hear, he speaketh to the dumb creatures: Hear heaven and earth, Isaiah 1. And Christ saith, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, &c. These are good and royal speeches, which are very sweet, and sweetness it self. But when he speaketh to the desperate and wicked, he changeth his speech into sharpness, as Mat. 6. If light be darkness, how great is that darkness▪ If sweetness become bitterness, how great is that bitterness? ⟨p. 825⟩Every thing, when it degenerateth into his contrary, becometh most contrary, as of the sweetest wine is made the sourest vinegar, and that, which is coldest, when it is boiled, is most fervent, the sea calmest, when it is moved, is most raging. Augustine saith, that his3 laughter is more to be feared than his anger. That which he speaketh with laughter, let us read with weeping. For God never useth such speeches of derision, but there followeth immediately destruction. Prou, 1. 26 27. Psal. 2. He will laugh them to scorn, and then will break them in pieces. And because this is the last warning before judgement, when we find the Lord speaking so unto us, it is as much, as if he should say: Now hear the word, or never. Well these speeches are used to wilful sinners, as Micaiah speaketh to the King, that would go to battle, whatsoever came of it, Go to and prosper, Prou 2. Because you have not heard any word, nor profited by my sermons, nor by my inward checks, nor come when I showed out my benefit, but refused my correction, then cometh this: I will laugh at your destruction. Ephraim will needs follow Idols, well let him saith God, Josu 4 Psal. 2. We will not be yoked: and will ye not? go to, the Lord in heaven will yoke you. And again, such as drink iniquity, till they have no use of God his gifts in them, woe be to them.
3 It is as farre from God his nature to deride any man, as it is for him to repent: but our1 sins are so great, that if it were possible, yee should make him a scoffer. But as when saluation2 is wrought in the highest measure, it is wrought in greatest compassion; so the highest point of reuenge is derision. Wee know the nature of God is full of pitie, and (vnlesse it be to very euill persons) his speeches are full of compassion. Speake my people, saith he, Micah. 6. And Esay. 5. What haue I not done that I could doe to thee? And, Oh that my people would haue heard, Psal. 81. And when they would not heare, he speaketh to the dumbe creatures: Heare heauen and earth, Esay 1. And Christ saith, O Ierusalem, Ierusalem, &c. These are good and royall speeches, which are very sweete, and sweetnes it selfe. But when he speaketh to the desperate and wicked, he changeth his speech into sharpenes, as Mat. 6. If light be darknes, how great is that darknes▪ If sweetnes become bitternes, how great is that bitternes? ⟨p. 825⟩Euery thing, when it degenerateth into his contrarie, becommeth most contrary, as of the sweetest wine is made the sowrest vineger, and that, which is coldest, when it is boyled, is most feruent, the sea calmest, when it is moued, is most raging. Augustine saith, that his3 laughter is more to bee feared than his anger. That which he speaketh with laughter, let vs reade with weeping. For God neuer vseth such speeches of derisiō, but there followeth immediatly destruction. Prou, 1. 26 27. Psal. 2. Hee will laugh them to scorne, and then will breake them in peeces. And because this is the last warning before iudgement, when wee finde the Lord speaking so vnto vs, it is as much, as if he should say: Now heare the word, or neuer. Well these speeches are vsed to wilfull sinners, as Micaiah speaketh to the King, that would go to battaile, whatsoeuer came of it, Go to and prosper, Prou 2. Because you haue not heard any word, nor profited by my sermons, nor by my inward checks, nor come when I shewed out my benefite, but refused my correction, then commeth this: I will laugh at your destruction. Ephraim will needes follow Idols, well let him saith God, Iosu 4
- 1Per obliquum ductum.
- 2Why God useth vehemency of speech, and how we must read it.Why God vseth vehemencie of speech, and how we must reade it.
- 3Risus Dei prae omni ira Dei. quod cum risu loquitur, t• leges cum luctu.
