Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

2. From hence we may be instructed of the wonderful Patience of God, who bears with a World of Sinners, that are obnoxious to his Justice, and under his Power every day. If we consider the number and aggravations of Mens Sins, how many have out-told the Hairs of their Heads in actual Transgressions; how mighty and manifest their Sins are, that the Deity and Providence are questioned for the suspending of Vengeance? And yet that God notwithstanding all their enormous Injuries, and violent Provocations, is patient towards Sinners, it cannot but fill us with Admiration. His Mercy, like the cheerful Light of the Sun, visits us every Morning with ⟨p. 75⟩its benign Influences; his Justice, like Thunder, rarely strikes the Wicked. He affords not only the Supports of Life, but many Comforts and Refreshments to the unthankful and rebellious.

'Tis not from any Defect in his Power that they are not consumed, but from the Abundance of his Mercy. He made the World without any strain of his Power, and can as easily destroy it: he has an innumerable Company of Angels attending his Commands; and every Angel is an Army in strength: one of them destroyed an hundred and fourscore and five thousand in a Night. He can use the most despicable and weakest Creatures, Frogs, and Lice, and Flies, as Instruments of Vengeance to subdue the proudest Pharaoh, the most obstinate Rebels.—He sees Sin where-ever it is, and hates it where-ever he sees it; yet his Patience endures ⟨p. 76⟩their crying Sins, and his long-Suffering expects their Repentance. The Lord is not slack, as some Men count slackness, but he is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to Repentance. He spares Sinners with such Indulgence, in order to their Salvation. 'Tis deservedly one of his Royal Titles, The God of Patience. Our fierce Spirits are apt to take Fire and Revenge for every Injury real, or supposed; but the great God, who is infinitely sensible of all the Indignities offered to his Majesty, defers his Anger, and loads them with his Benefits every day. What is more astonishing than the Riches of his Goodness, unless it be the perverse Abuse of it by Sinners, to harden themselves in their Impieties? But although his Clemency delays the Punishment, the Sacredness and Constancy of his Justice will not forget it: when Patience has had its perfect work, Justice