A32723:3420
Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God
Several discourses upon the existence and attributes of God by that late eminent minister in Christ, Mr. Stephen Charnocke ...
London: printed for D. Newman, 1682
A DISCOURSE UPON GODS Patience. › IV. The USE.A DISCOURSE UPON GODS Patience. › IV. The ƲSE.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. His Patience is a ground to trust in his promise. If his slowness to anger be so great, when his Precept is slighted, his readiness to give what he hath promised, will be as great, when his promise is believed. If the provocations of them meet with such an unwillingness to punish them, Faith in him will meet with the choicest embraces from him. He was more ready to make the promise of Redemption after man's Apostasy, than to execute the threatening of the Law. He doth still witness a greater willingness to give forth the fruits of the promise, than to pour out the vials of his curses. His slowness to anger is an evidence still, that he hath the same disposition, which is no slight Cordial to Faith in his Word.
2. His Patience is a ground to trust in his promise. If his slowness to anger be so great, when his Precept is slighted, his readiness to give what he hath promised, will be as great, when his promise is believed. If the provocations of them meet with such an unwillingness to punish them, Faith in him will meet with the choicest embraces from him. He was more ready to make the promise of Redemption after man's Apostacy, than to execute the threatning of the Law. He doth still witness a greater willingness to give forth the fruits of the promise, than to pour out the vials of his curses. His slowness to anger is an evidence still, that he hath the same disposition, which is no slight Cordial to Faith in his Word.
3. 'Tis a comfort in infirmities. If he were not patient, he could not bear with so many peevishnesses, and weaknesses in the hearts of his own. If he be patient to the grosser sins of his enemies, he will be no less to the lighter infirmities of his people. When the Soul is as a bruised Reed, that can emit no sound at all, or one very harsh and ungrateful, he doth not break it in pieces, and fling it away in disdain, but waits to see, whether it will fully answer his pains, and be brought to a better frame, and sweeter note. He brings them not to account for every slip, but as a Father spares his son that serves him. Mal. 3.17