Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

2. His Patience is abused, by continuing in a course of Sin under the influences of it. How much is it the practical language of men, Come let us commit this, or that iniquity; since Divine patience hath suffered worse than this at our hands? Nothing is remitted to their sensual pleasures and eagerness in them. How often did the Israelites repeat their murmurings against him, as if they would put his patience to the utmost proof, and see how far the line of it could extend? They were no sooner satisfied in one thing, but they quarrelled with him about another, as if he had no other attribute to put in motion against them. They tempted him, as often as he relieved them, as though the declaration of his name to Moses, 34 of Exod. To be a God gracious, and Long-suffering, had been intended for no other purpose but a protection of them in their Rebellions. Such a sort of men the Prophet speaks of, that were settled in their Lees, or dregs. Zeph. 1.12. They were congealed, and frozen in their successful wickedness; such an abuse of Divine patience is the very dregs of sin; God chargeth it highly upon the Jews. Isaiah 57.11. I have held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not, my silence made thee confident yea impudent in thy sin.

2. His Patience is abused, by continuing in a course of Sin under the influences of it. How much is it the practical language of men, Come let us commit this, or that iniquity; since Divine patience hath suffered worse than this at our hands? Nothing is remitted to their sensual pleasures and eagerness in them. How often did the Israelites repeat their murmurings against him, as if they would put his patience to the utmost proof, and see how far the line of it could extend? They were no sooner satisfied in one thing, but they quarrelled with him about another, as if he had no other attribute to put in motion against them. They tempted him, as often as he releived them, as though the declaration of his name to Moses, 34 of Exod. To be a God gracious, and Long-suffering, had been intended for no other purpose but a protection of them in their Rebellions. Such a sort of men the Prophet speaks of, that were setled in their Lees, or dregs. Zeph. 1.12. They were congeal'd, and frozen in their successful wickedness; such an abuse of Divine patience is the very dreggs of sin; God chargeth it highly upon the Jews.