Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

But now evidently and directly, the end of that Patience and forbearance of God, which is exercised in Christ, and discovered in him to us, is, the saving and bringing unto God, those, towards whom he is pleased to exercise them. And therefore Peter tells you. 2 Pet. 3. 9. that he is long suffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, that is, all us towards whom he exercises forbearance, for that is the End of it, that his Will concerning our Repentance and Salvation, may be accomplished: and the nature of it with its end is well expressed, Isa. 54. 9. This is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more cover the earth, so have I sworn, that I would not be wroth &c. it is Gods taking a course in his infinite Wisdom and goodness, that we shall not ⟨p. 89⟩be destroyed notwithstanding our sins: and therefore, Rom. 15. 5. these two things are laid together, in God, as coming together from him, the God of patience and Consolation: his patience is a matter of the greatest consolation. And this is another property of God, which though it may break forth in some ray's to some Ends and purposes in other things, yet the treasures of it are hid in Christ, and none is acquainted with it unto any spiritual advantage, that learns it not in him.

But now evidently and directly, the end of that Patience and forbearance of God, which is excercised in Christ, and discovered in him to us, is, the saving and bringing unto God, those, towards whom he is pleased to exercise them. And therefore Peter tells you. 2 Pet. 3. 9. that he is long suffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, that is, all us towards whom he exercises forbearance, for that is the End of it, that his Will concerning our Repentance and Salvation, may be accomplished: and the nature of it with its end is well expressed, Isa. 54. 9. This is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more cover the earth, so have I sworn, that I would not be wroth &c. it is Gods taking a course in his infinite Wisdome and goodnesse, that we shall not