Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

1. When God doth punish, he doth it with some regret. ^*When he hurls down his thunders, he seems to do it with a backward hand: Because with an unwilling heart. He created, saith Chrysostom, the World in six days, but was seven days in destroying one City Jericho, which he had before devoted to be razed to the ground. What is the reason saith he, that God is so quick to build up, but slow to pull down? His Goodness excites his power to the One, but is not earnest to persuade him to the Other. When he comes to strike, he doth it with a sigh or groan. Isaiah 1.24. Ah I will ease me of my adversaries, and avenge me on my Enemies. [Greek or Hebrew] Ah, a note of grief. So Hos. 6.4. Oh Ephraim ⟨p. 804⟩what shall I do unto thee? Oh Judah, what shall I do unto thee? 'Tis an Addubitatio a figure in Rhetoric as if God were troubled, that he must deal so sharply with them, and give them up to their Enemies. I have tried all means to reclaim you, I have used all ways of kindness, and nothing prevails. What shall I do? my Mercy invites me to spare them and their ingratitude provokes me to ruin them. God had born with that people of Israel almost three hundred years, from the setting up of the Calves at Dan and Bethel; sent many a Prophet to warn them, and spent many a rod to reform them. And when he comes to execute his threatenings, he doth it with a conflict in himself. Hosea 11.8. How shall I give thee up Oh Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? As if there were a pull-back in his own Bowels, he solemnizeth their approaching funeral with a hearty groan; and takes his farewell of the dying Malefactor with a pang in himself. How often in former times when he had signed a warrant for their Execution, did he call it back? Psal. 78.38. Many a time turned he his anger away. Many a time he recalled, or ordered his Anger, to return again as the word signifies, as if he were irresolute what to do. He recalled it, as a man doth his Servant several times, when he is sending him upon an unwelcome message; or as a tender hearted Prince wavers, and trembles, when he is to sign a Writ for the death of a Rebel, that hath been before his favourite, as if when he had signed the Writ, he blotted out his name again, and flung away the Pen. And his method is remarkable, when he came to punish Sodom;