An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

The passion of anger is ascribed to God, yet the anger which we say is in God, hath no power over God: Mans anger usually masters him; but God is always master of his anger; that is, he can turn and with-draw his anger when he pleaseth. There is no perturbation in God; when he is offended, he is not moved; his motions are all without upon the creatures, he hath none in his own bosom. The passions of the Lord are his most serious counsels & determinations; and we therefore say, he is angry, because those counsels of his acted, look like the effects of anger. Secondly, observe,

The passion of anger is ascribed to God, yet the anger which we say is in God, hath no power over God: Mans anger usually masters him; but God is alwaies master of his anger; that is, he can turn and with-draw his anger when he pleaseth. There is no perturbation in God; when he is offended, he is not moved; his motions are all without upon the creatures, he hath none in his own bosom. The passions of the Lord are his most serious counsels & determinations; and we therefore say, he is angry, because those counsels of his acted, look like the effects of anger. Secondly, observe,

That, It is not in the power of man to turn away the anger of God.

He doth not say, except men by prayer or other means stop the anger of God, but, Except the Lord with-draw his anger all help is vain. Prayer is said to appease the wrath of God, and to stay his anger; Moses stood in the gap, and Aaron came out with incense to turn away his wrath, yet it is an act of Gods will, which turns away his anger, not the force of our prayer; prayer therefore prevails with God, because he hath said, it shall. He is infinitely free when himself acknowledges that we layeth powerfullest restraint upon him: when the Lord is turned by prayer, it is his will to be turned; it was his counsel, and is his command that prayer should be made as a means to turn him; and it is his promise, that he will turn to us when we pray. Then it appears to us that the Lord hath decreed to do a thing, when he stirs up the hearts of his people to pray for the doing of it, and that he is purposed to with-draw his anger, when he draws out their hearts strongly to entreat his favour. Thirdly, observe,