Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

1. The frequent consideration of his patience, would render God highly amiable to us. 'Tis a more endearing argument, than his mere goodness; His goodness to us as creatures, endowing us with such excellent faculties, furnishing us with such a commodious World, and bestowing upon us so many attendants for our pleasure and service, and giving us a Lordship over his other works, deserves our affection, But his patience to us as sinners after we have merited the greatest wrath, shows him to be of a sweeter disposition, than creating Goodness to unoffending Creatures; and consequently speaks a greater love in him, and bespeaks a greater affection from us. His Creating goodness discovered the Majesty of his Being, and the greatness of his mind, but this the sweetness and tenderness of his Nature. In this patience he exceeds the mildness of all Creatures to us; and therefore should be enthroned in our affections above all other Creatures. The consideration of this would make us affect him for his nature, as well as for his benefits.

1. The frequent consideration of his patience, would render God highly amiable to us. 'Tis a more endearing argument, than his meer goodness; His goodness to us as creatures, endowing us with such excellent faculties, furnishing us with such a commodious World, and bestowing upon us so many attendants for our pleasure and service, and giving us a Lordship over his other works, deserves our affection, But his patience to us as sinners after we have merited the greatest wrath, shews him to be of a sweeter disposition, than creating Goodness to unoffending Creatures; and consequently speaks a greater love in him, and bespeaks a greater affection from us. His Creating goodness discovered the Majesty of his Being, and the greatness of his mind, but this the sweetness and tenderness of his Nature. In this patience he exceeds the mildness of all Creatures to us; and therefore should be enthroned in our affections above all other Creatures. The consideration of this would make us affect him for his nature, as well as for his benefits.

2. The consideration of his patience, would make us frequent and serious in the exercise of Repentance. In its nature it leads to it, and the consideration of it would engage us to it, and melt us in the exercise of it. Could we deeply think of it, without being touched with a sense of the kindness of our forbearing Creditor and Governor? Could we gaze upon it? nay could we glance upon it without relenting at our offending one of so mild a nature, without being sensibly affected, that he hath preserved us so long from being loaded with those chains of darkness, under which the Devils groan? This forbearance hath good reason to make sin, and sinners ashamed. That you are in being, is not for want of advantages enough in his hand against you, many a forfeiture you have made, and many an engagement you have broke; he hath scarce met with any other dealing from us, than what had treachery in it. Whatsoever our sincerity is, we have no