Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

This is the reason of that Expostulation, Will a Lion roar in the Forest, when he hath no Prey? Shall ¹God's Threatenings and Judgments have no Effect? Who ever hardened himself against him, and prospered? Do we provoke the Lord ⟨p. 167⟩to Jealousy, the most sensible and severe Attribute when it is incensed? Are we stronger than he? Can we encounter offended Omnipotency? Can we with an Army of Lusts oppose Myriads of mighty Angels? 'Tis not Courage, but such a prodigious degree of Folly and Fury, that one would think 'twere impossible a reasonable Creature were capable of it. Yet every Sinner unreformed by Afflictions is thus desperate: He stretches out his Hand ²against God, and strengthens himself against the Almighty; he runneth upon him, even on his Neck, upon the thick Bosses of his Bucklers. Such a furious Rebel was Ahaz, who in the time of his Distress, did trespass more against the Lord: This is that King ³Ahaz! But God hath most solemnly declared, that he will be victorious at last over the most fierce obdurate Enemies. As I live, saith ⟨p. 168⟩the Lord, every Knee shall bow to me. His Power is Infinite, and Anger puts an Edge upon his Power, and makes it more terrible. If our Subjection be not voluntary, it must be violent. 'Tis our Wisdom to prevent Acts of Vengeance by humble Submissions. The Duty of the Afflicted is excellently expressed by Elihu: Surely it is meet to be said to God, I have born Chastisements, ⁴I will not offend any more. That I know not, teach thou me: if I have done Iniquity, I will do so no more.

This is the reason of that Expostulation, Will a Lion roar in the Forest, when he hath no Prey? Shall ¹God's Threatnings and Judgments have no Effect? Who ever hardned himself against him, and prospored? Do we provoke the Lord