An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

Secondly, Take heed of provoking God, who hath such Arms and Armies always at command.

Secondly, Take heed of provoking God, who hath s•ch Armes and Armies alwayes at command.

'Tis dangerous meddling wi•h a prepared enemy. God can never be surprised not taken unprovided. As the wicked bend their bow, and make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart (Psal. 11.2.) So the Lord hath his bow always bent, and his arrow made ready upon the string, openly to shoot at the false in heart. Though it be usually long before he takes revenge, yet 'tis not because he is unready and cannot, but because patient, and will not take it sooner. He is always able to avenge himself, not only speedily, but presently. As he will do what he hath spoken, so he can do what he will with a word speaking.

'Tis dangerous medling wi•h a prepared enemy. God can never be su•prised not taken unprovided. As the wicked bend their bow, and make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart (Psal. 11.2.) So the Lord hath his bow alwayes bent, and his arrow made ready upon the string, openly to shoot at the false in heart. Though it be usually long before he takes revenge, yet 'tis not because he is unready and cannot, but because patient, and will not take it sooner. He is alwayes able to avenge himself, not onely speedily, but presently. As he will do what he hath spoken, so he can do what he will with a word speaking.