He that can in a moment speak the whole Creation into nothing, beareth many years with his rebellious provoking Creatures. The Lord looked upon the Egyptians and troubled them. Its an easy matter to look; especially for him that made the eye. A glance of his eye will overthrow the proudest, stoutest sinner. Men are great in anger, who are little in power; their hearts are good, I should say bad enough, speedily to ruin such as offend them; but their hands are weak and straitened, that we may thank their want of power, not their patience for our preservation; But God who is all power, is all patience; he that can spurn the whole world into endless woe, more easily then all the men of the world can spurn a foot-ball into the water, forbeareth them year after year.
6. He doth not only forbear, but also do men good. His goodness towards them is positive as well as privative; he upholds them in their beings, protects them in their goings, supports them by his power, supplieth them by his providence, as well as forbear them by his patience. His enemies are hungry, he feeds them; they are thirsty, he gives them drink. He gives them that corn, and wine, and oil which they bestow on Baal; he bestows on them those mercies with which they fight against him; he blesseth them with life, health, strength, food, raiment, sleep, reason, friends, peace, liberty, riches, honours, the Gospel, Sermons, Sabbaths, offers of pardon and ⟨p. 474⟩life, whilst they persist in their provocations against him. He is at infinite cost and charge night and day, in sending provision into the camp of his enemies.
7. He woeth us to be reconciled. He doth not only command and enjoin rebellious man to throw down his weapons of unrighteousness, but even prayeth and entreateth him with much importunity, to accept of peace and pardon; As though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God. He is earnest and instant by his Ministers, by the motions of his spirit, by the calls and convictions of conscience, that he might persuade miserable men to be happy, 2 Cor. 5. 15, 20. 2 Chron. 36. 15, Isaiah 65. 2. and 42. 14. I have stretched out my hand all the day long to a rebellious house, that have walked in a way that is not good.
8. He doth all this, without any expectation of advantage to himself; He gains not by our holiness, neither is he a loser by our wickedness;
He that can in a moment speak the whole Creation into nothing, beareth many years with his rebellious provoking Creatures. The Lord looked upon the Egyptians and troubled them. Its an easie matter to look; especially for him that made the eye. A glance of his eye will overthrow the proudest, stoutest sinner. Men are great in anger, who are little in power; their hearts are good, I should say bad enough, speedily to ruine such as offend them; but their hands are weak and straitned, that we may thank their want of power, not their patience for our preservation; But God who is all power, is all patience; he that can spurn the whole world into endless wo, more easily then all the men of the world can spurn a foot-ball into the water, forbeareth them year after year.
6. He doth not onely forbear, but also do men good. His goodness towards them is positive as well as privative; he upholds them in their beings, protects them in their goings, supports them by his power, supplieth them by his providence, as well as forbear them by his patience. His enemies are hungry, he feeds them; they are thirsty, he gives them drink. He gives them that corn, and wine, and oyl which they bestow on Baal; he bestows on them those mercies with which they fight against him; he blesseth them with life, health, strength, food, raiment, sleep, reason, friends, peace, liberty, riches, honours, the Gospel, Sermons, Sabbaths, offers of pardon and ⟨p. 474⟩life, whilst they persist in their provocations against him. He is at infinite cost and charge night and day, in sending provision into the camp of his enemies.
7. He woeth us to be reconciled. He doth not onely command and enjoyn rebellious man to throw down his weapons of unrighteousness, but even prayeth and entreateth him with much importunity, to accept of peace and pardon; As though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God. He is earnest and instant by his Ministers, by the motions of his spirit, by the calls and convictions of conscience, that he might perswade miserable men to be happy, 2 Cor. 5. 15, 20. 2 Chron. 36. 15, Isaiah 65. 2. and 42. 14. I have stretched out my hand all the day long to a rebellious house, that have walked in a way that is not good.
8. He doth all this, without any expectation of advantage to himself; He gains not by our holiness, neither is he a loser by our wickedness;
