Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

4. When he puts an end to his abused patience, his wrath will make quick, and sure work. He that is slow to Anger will be swift in the execution of it. The departure of God from Jerusalem, is described with wings and wheels. Ezek. 11.23. One stroke of his hand is irresistible, he that hath spent so much time in waiting, needs but one minute to ruin; though it be long ere he draws his Sword out of his scabbard, yet when once he doth it, he dispatcheth men at a blow. Ephraim or the Ten Tribes, had a long time of patience, and prosperity, but now shall a month devour him with his portion. Hosea 5.7. One fatal month puts a period to the many years peace, and security of a sinful Nation. His Arrows wound suddenly. Psal. 64.7. And while men are about to fill their Bellies, he casts the fruits of his wrath upon them. Job 20.23. Like thunder out of a Cloud, or a Bullet out of a Cannon that strikes dead, before it is heard. God deals with sinners, as Enemies do with a Town, batter it not by planted Guns, but secretly undermines, and blows up the Walls, whereby they involve the Garrison in a sudden ruin, and carry the Town. God spared the Amalekites along time after the injury committed against the Israelites in their passage out of Egypt to Canaan, but when he came to reckon with them, he would wast them in a trice, and make an utter consumption of them. 1 Sam. 15.2, 3. He describes himself by a travelling Woman. Isaiah 42.14. That hath born long in her Womb, and at last sends forth her Birth with strong cries. Though he hath held his peace, been still and refrained himself, yet at last, he will destroy, and devour at once. The Ninevites spared in the time of Jonah for their Repentance, are in Nature threatened with a certain and total ruin; when God should come, to bring them to an account for his length and patience, so much abused by them. Though God endured the murmuring Israelites so long in the Wilderness, yet he paid them off at last, and took away the Rebels in his Wrath. He uttered their sentence with an irreversible Oath, that none of them should enter into his rest, and he did as surely execute it, as he had solemnly sworn it.