Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

and his power is more seen in his Patience, than in his Wrath. 'Tis no wonder that he that is above all, is able to crush all. But it is a wonder, that he that is provoked by all, doth not upon the first provocation, rid his hands of all. This is the reason, why he did bear such a weight of provocations from vessels of wrath, prepared for ruin, that he might [Greek or Hebrew], show what he was able to do, the Lordship and Royalty he had over himself. The power of God is more manifest in his Patience to a multitude of Sinners, than it could be in Creating Millions of Worlds out of nothing; this was the [Greek or Hebrew], a power over himself.

and his power is more seen in his Patience, than in his Wrath. 'Tis no wonder that he that is above all, is able to crush all. But it is a wonder, that he that is provok't by all, doth not upon the first provocation, rid his hands of all. This is the reason, why he did bear such a weight of provocations from vessels of wrath, prepar'd for ruine, that he might 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, shew what he was able to do, the Lordship and Royalty he had over himself. The power of God is more manifest in his Patience to a multitude of Sinners, than it could be in Creating Millions of Worlds out of nothing; this was the 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, a power over himself.

5. This Patience being a branch of Mercy, the exercise of it is founded in the Death of Christ. Without the consideration of this, we can give no account, why Divine Patience should extend it self to us, and not to the fallen Angels. The threatening extends it self to us, as well as to the fallen Angels. The threatening must necessarily have sunk man, as well as those glorious Creatures, had not Christ stepped into our relief.^* Had not Christ interposed to satisfy the Justice of God, man upon his sin had been actually bound over to punishment, as well as the fallen Angels were upon theirs, and been fettered in chains as strong as those Spirits feel. The reason why man was not hurled into the same deplorable condition upon his sin, as they were, is Christs promise of taking our nature, and not theirs. Had God designed Christ's taking their nature, the same Patience had been exercised towards them, and the same offers would have been made to them, as are made to us. In regard of these fruits of this Patience, Christ is said to buy the wickedest Apostates from him.