Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

The consideration of this would show us more reason, to repine at our own repinings, than at any of his smarter dealings. And the consideration of this would make us submissive, under the Judgments we expect. His undeserved patience hath been more than our merited judgments can possibly be thought to be. If we fear the removal of the Gospel for a season, as we have reason to do, we should rather bless him, that by his waiting patience, he hath continued it so long, ⟨p. 823⟩then murmur, that he threatens to take it away so late. He hath born with us many a year, since the light of it was re-kindled, when our Ancestors had but six years of patience between the rise of Edward the VI, and the ascent of Queen Mary to the Crown.

The consideration of this would shew us more reason, to repine at our own repinings, than at any of his smarter dealings. And the consideration of this would make us submissive, under the Judgments we expect. His undeserved patience hath been more than our merited judgments can possibly be thought to be. If we fear the removal of the Gospel for a season, as we have reason to do, we should rather bless him, that by his waiting patience, he hath continued it so long, ⟨p. 823⟩then murmur, that he threatens to take it away so late. He hath born with us many a year, since the light of it was re-kindled, when our Ancestors had but six years of patience between the rise of Edward the VI, and the ascent of Queen Mary to the Crown.

2. Exhortation is, to admire and stand astonished at his patience, and bless him for it. If you should have defiled your Neighbours bed, or sullied his reputation, or rifled his Goods, would he have withheld his vengeance, unless he had been too weak to execute it? We have done worse to God, then we can do to man, and yet he draws not that Sword of Wrath out of the scabbard of his patience, to sheath it in our hearts. 'Tis not so much a wonder, that any Judgments are sent, as that there are no more and sharper. That the World shall be fired at last, is not a thing so strange, as that fire doth not come down every day upon some part of it. Had the disciples, that saw such excellent patterns of mildness from their Master, and were so often urged to learn of him, that was lowly, and meek, the Government of the World, it had been long since turned into ashes, since they were too forward to desire him, to open his magazine of judgments, and kindle a fire, to consume a Samaritan Village, for a slight affront in comparison of what he received from others, and afterwards from themselves in their forsaking of him.