Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

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 ⟨p. 822⟩reason to boast of it, when we consider, what mixtures there are in it, and what swarms of base motions taint it. Hath he not lain pressed and groaning under our sins, as a Cart is pressed with sheaves. Amos 2.13. when one shake of himself as Sampson, might have rid him of the burden, and dismissed us in his fury into Hell? If we should often ask our Consciences, why have we done thus, and thus against so mild a God? Would not the reflection on it, put us to the blush? If men would consider, that such a time they provoked God to his face, and yet have not felt his Sword; such a time they blasphemed him, and made a reproach of his name, and his thunder did not stop their motion; such a time they fell into an abominable brutishness, yet he kept the punishment of Devils, the unclean Spirits from reaching them; such a time he bore an open affront from them, when they scoffed at his Word, and he did not send a destruction, and laugh at it. Would not such a meditation work some strange kind of relentings in men? What if we should consider, that we cannot do a sinful act without the support of his concurring Providence? We cannot see, hear, move without his concourse. All Creatures we use for our necessity, or pleasure, are supported by him in the very act of assisting, to pleasure us;

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 sence of the kindness of our forbearing Creditor and Governour? 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 asham'd. 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