The works of George Swinnock, M.A

And yet God himself is so favourable and compassionate to one whose sin admitted of greater aggravations in some respects then those of Eli's sons, (Jonah sinned after such a miraculous salvation, and that against choosing, calling, pardoning, saving love, which Eli's sons did not;) nay, and when the Malefactor upon the reading of this gentle Indictment to him, instead of pleading guilty, and begging a Psalm of mercy, had stubbornly and obstinately justified himself; God who might have awarded judgement against him according to law, still forbeareth him, and when his pathetical words would not reclaim him, he trieth if a miraculous work will reduce him to his allegiance. O the tenderness of God towards his froward Children! I have sometimes wondered at his infinite patience towards so disobedient a Prophet; but alas, I experience it daily in his superabundant grace and goodness towards my own soul, notwithstanding my greater provocations.

And yet God himself is so favourable and compassionate to one whose sin admitted of greater aggravations in some respects then those of Eli's sons, (Ionah sinned after such a miraculous salvation, and that against chusing, calling, pardoning, saving love, which Eli's sons did not;) nay, and when the Malefactor upon the reading of this gentle Indictment to him, instead of pleading guilty, and begging a Psalm of mercy, had stubbornly and obstinately justified himself; God who might have awarded judgement against him according to law, still forbeareth him, and when his pathetical words would not reclaim him, he trieth if a miraculous work will reduce him to his allegiance. O the tenderness of God towards his froward Children! I have sometimes wondred at his infinite patience towards so disobedient a Prophet; but alas, I experience it daily in his superabundant grace and goodness towards my own soul, notwithstanding my greater provocations.

Reader, by all this thou mayst see what cause thou hast to bear with thy fellow-Christians, when God ⟨p. 298⟩beareth with his creatures, notwithstanding those multiplied affronts and dis-respects, which they offer to his glorious holy and infinite Majesty.