The works of George Swinnock, M.A

the peevishness of the Jews drove him into that passion, for which he was excluded the earthly Canaan. How meek and patient then is God who beareth the evil manners of all the nations of the world, the greatest part of which make it their work to spit their venom, and malice, and blasphemy in his face every day! The whole world is a volume in every leaf, and in every line of which, ⟨p. 472⟩Patience, Meekness, Gentleness, Long-suffering, Forbearance are written in broad letters. 4. How he knoweth all their sins. He doth not forbear sinners from ignorance of their sins; he seeth and knoweth all things. All the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings. His eyes behold, and his eye-lids try the children of men. Men bear with others, because they know not their secret treasons, and heart-rebellions; but God knoweth all the wickedness that is committed in the world, He telleth man his thoughts. All secret sins are public to him: All men are naked and open to him. He knoweth every thought, word and action of every man as exactly as if he had none but him to mind. His knowledge is infinite; he knoweth all the sins of all men clearly; they are as visible to his eye as if they were written with the brightest sunbeam on the clearest crystal. He knoweth all the sins of men distinctly, not in a confused heap or lump, but one by one; knoweth all the sins of all men every moment. All the sins that are, that ever were, or that ever shall be, are continually in his eye and view. 5. How he is able to revenge himself every moment. David did bear with Joab because the sons of Zerviah were too hard for him: He was a tender plant that was scarce rooted, and feared to be overturned by their fury; but God beareth with sinners though he be Almighty, and can do all things. He can as easily turn the sinner into hell, as tell him of hell; he can blow the sinner with his breath into the bottomless pit: By the blast of God they perish, by the breath of his nostrils they are consumed. The most secret sin is within the sight of his countenance, ⟨p. 473⟩and the strongest sinner within the reach of his vengeance. This is wonderful indeed; he is infinite in patience, who is infinite in power: The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, saith the Prophet, Nahum. 1.