Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

1. How is this Patience of God abused! The Gentiles abused those Testimonies of it, which were written in showers, and fruitful seasons. No Nation was ever stripped of it, under the most provoking Idolatries till after multiplied spurns at it. Not a person among us but hath been guilty of the abuse of it. How have we contemned that which demands a reverence from us? How have we requited God's waitings with rebellions, while he hath continued urging and expecting our return? Saul relented at David's forbearing to revenge himself, when he had his prosecuting and industrious enemy in his power. 1 Sam. 24.17. Thou art more Righteous than I, thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. And shall we not relent at God's wonderful long suffering, and silencing his anger so much? He could puff away our lives, but he will not, and yet we endeavour to strip him of his being, though we cannot.

1. How is this Patience of God abused! The Gentiles abused those Testimonies of it, which were written in showers, and fruitful seasons. No Nation was ever stript of it, under the most provoking Idolatries till after multiplyed spurns at it. Not a person among us but hath been guilty of the abuse of it. How have we contemned that which demands a reverence from us? How have we requited God's waitings with rebellions, while he hath continued urging and expecting our return? Saul relented at David's forbearing to revenge himself, when he had his prosecuting and industrious enemy in his power. 1 Sam. 24.17. Thou art more Righteous than I, thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. And shall we not relent at God's wonderful long suffering, and silencing his anger so much? He could puff away our lives, but he will not, and yet we endeavour to strip him of his being, though we cannot.

1. Let us consider the ways, how slowness to anger is abused.