An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eleventh, twelfth, & thirteenth chapters of…

My brethren, it's a great evil to provoke one another ¹to wrath, but a greater evil to provoke God to wrath: in Ephes. 6. 4. Parents are charged not so much as to provoke ⟨p. 404⟩their Children to wrath; And wilt thou provoke God then? If we will be provoking one another, let us be provoking to love, and to good works: (as in Hebr. ²10. 24.) unto a kind of Acrimony of love. If there be a kind of sharpness let it be that which puts us on with an eagerness of spirit to love, and so provoke one another as much at you will, provoke one another to love, and to good works. In Gal. 5. 26. Be not desirous of ³vain glory, provoking one another; Calling forth one another's corruptions, that's the meaning of it. Let there not be a desire of vain glory, provoking one another, calling forth ⁴one another's corruptions. Oh! 'tis an evil thing that we do call forth the corruptions of one another so. Was there ever times of provoking so as there are now? every man provoking one another, and stirring up one another to envy, wrath, and malice, Oh take heed of provoking one another; wonderful mischiefs have come of provoking out another: What mischief do you think will come then of provoking God to anger? Consider this, especially you that are of passionate spirits, if a Wife, a Servant, a Child doth any thing a mice, you are presently all on fire, Oh that you would have this meditation, ⁵What, shall I a poor worm be so soon provoked with a fellow creature if he doth displease me? O Lord, what a wretch am I then that dare provoke the infinite God! What, can I think my anger to be so terrible to a Child, a Neighbour, a Servant? Oh! how terrible is the anger and wrath of an infinite God against a Creature when he is provoked! I cannot beat it whoever provokes me, why should I think that the infinite God should bear with me when I provoke him? Oh! that passionate men and women would have these considerations. But further;