The divine life in three treatises

He cannot take it well to see us dote upon dust and frailty like our selves, at the same time when all his wondrous kindness, and attractive goodness, do cause but such a faint and languid Love to him, which we our selves can scarcely feel. If therefore he cure us by permitting our friends to show us truly what they are, and how little they deserve such excessive Love (when God hath so little) it is no more wonder, than it is that he is tender of his glory, and merciful to his servants souls.

He cannot take it well to see us dote upon dust and frailty like our selves, at the same time when all his wondrous kindness, and attractive goodness, do cause but such a faint and languid Love to him, which we our selves can scarcely feel. If therefore he cure us by permitting our friends to shew us truly what they are, and how little they deserve such excessive Love (when God hath so little) it is no more wonder, than it is that he is tender of his glory, and merciful to his servants souls.

5. By the failing and unfaithfulness of our friends, the wonderful Patience of God will be observed and honoured, as it is showed both to them and us. When they forsake us in our distress (especially when we suffer for the cause of Christ) it is God that they injure more than us: And therefore if he bear with them, and forgive their weakness upon repentance, why should not we do so that are much less injured? The worlds perfidiousness should make us think, How great and wonderful is the patience of God, that beareth with, and beareth up so vile, ungrateful, treacherous men that abuse him to whom they are infinitely obliged? And it should make us consider, when men deal treacherously with us, How great is that mercy that hath born with, and pardoned greater wrongs which I my self have done to God, than these can be which men have done to me! It was the remembrance of David's sin, that had provoked God to raise up his own Son against him (of whom he had been too fond) which made him so easily bear the curses and reproach of Shimei. It will make us bear abuse from others, to remember how ill we have dealt with God, and how ill we have deserved at his hands our selves.

5. By the failing and unfaithfulness of our friends, the wonderful Patience of God will be observed and honoured, as it is shewed both to them and us. When they forsake us in our distress (especially when we suffer for the cause of Christ) it is God that they injure more than us: And therefore if he bear with them, and forgive their weakness upon repentance, why should not we do so that are much less injured? The worlds persidiousness should make us think, How great and wonderful is the patience of God, that beareth with, and beareth up so vile, ungrateful, treacherous men that abuse him to whom they are infinitely obliged? And it should make us consider, when men deal treacherously with us, How great is that mercy that hath born with, and pardoned greater wrongs which I my self have done to God, than these can be which men have done to me! It was the remembrane of David's sin, that had provoked God to raise up his own Son against him (of whom he had been too fond) which made him so easily bear the curses and reproach of Shimei. It will make us bear abuse from others, to remember how ill we have dealt with God, and how ill we have deserved at his hands our selves.