Reas. 1. From the near relation that lies between God and our brethren, God looks at his people, as his children, as his Spouse, as his Members, and therefore oft times, he will longer bear with injuries done to himself, then to his members; Pharaoh was an heathen Prince, but yet God past by that, he doth not charge him for his horrible idolatry and filthy abominations, God winked at these things, but when Gods people came amongst them, and were evil entreated by them, then Moses his message is, Exod. 4.22, 23. Israel is my Son, even my first born, and if thou refuse to let him go, I will slay thy son, even thy first born; this was that which made God fall so heavily upon him, for opposing of his people: so though Babylon abounded with many Idolatries, yet God makes little mention of it, but he punisheth them, for the insolency against his people, Psal. 137.8.9. Zach. 1.15. I am very sore displeased with the Heathens that are at ease, for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. They are his members like us, and therefore the injury done to them, redounds to God himself, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? and they are such members as art as dear to him as the apple of his eye, Zach. 2.8. Now he will endure touching any where else rather then on the apple of his eye. God knows that mens goodness extends not to him, so neither doth their hatred; if we be wicked and injurious; what harm can we do to him? Why, God will bear much longer Idolatry, swearing, and other gross sins, then injuries put upon his people: how long did God endure the heathen Monarchs, till they fell sore upon the Church? the Roman state flourished exceedingly above seven hundred years; though their Capital was filled with all manner of Gods, but the times of this ignorance God regarded not, but followed them with great Victories and designs, and there were many worthy men among them for valour and prudence; but when the Emperors grew hot against the Christians, and persecuted them, God would endure them no longer, but tumbled their Monarchy into the dust: Touch not mine anointed, and do my Prophets ⟨p. 342⟩no harm. Some man will endure much more injury against himself, then against his children; so while the world trespasseth against God himself, by Idolatry, Superstition, or profaneness, he sits silent as if he regarded them not:
Reas. 1. From the near relation that lyes between God and our brethren, God looks at his people, as his children, as his Spouse, as his Members, and therefore oft times, he will longer bear with injuries done to himselfe, then to his members; Pharoah was an heathen Prince, but yet God past by that, he doth not charge him for his horrible idolatry and filthy abominations, God winked at these things, but when Gods people came amongst them, and were evill intreated by them, then Moses his message is, Exod. 4.22, 23. Israel is my Son, even my first born, and if thou refuse to let him goe, I will slay thy son, even thy first born; this was that which made God fall so heavily upon him, for opposing of his people: so though Babylon abounded with many Idolatries, yet God makes little mention of it, but he punisheth them, for the insolency against his people, Psal. 137.8.9. Zach. 1.15. I am very sore displeased with the Heathens that are at ease, for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. They are his members like us, and therefore the injury done to them, redounds to God himselfe, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? and they are such members as art as dear to him as the apple of his eye, Zach. 2.8. Now he will endure touching any where else rather then on the apple of his eye. God knows that mens goodnesse extends not to him, so neither doth their hatred; if we be wicked and injurious; what harm can we doe to him? Why, God will bear much longer Idolatry, swearing, and other grosse sins, then injuries put upon his people: how long did God endure the heathen Monarchs, till they fell sore upon the Church? the Roman state flourished exceedingly above seven hundred years; though their Capital was filled with all manner of Gods, but the times of this ignorance God regarded not, but followed them with great Victories and designes, and there were many worthy men among them for valour and prudence; but when the Emperours grew hot against the Christians, and persecuted them, God would endure them no longer, but tumbled their Monarchy into the dust: Touch not mine anointed, and doe my Prophets ⟨p. 342⟩no harm. Some man will endure much more injury against himselfe, then against his children; so while the world trespasseth against God himself, by Idolatry, Superstition, or prophanenesse, he sits silent as if he regarded them not:
