O that we could see with what a gracious God ⟨p. 7⟩we have to deal! Canst thou but humble thy self? all these things shall speak peace unto thee. As an impenitent sinner is under the power of Satan, and liable to all misery: So contrariwise whoever returns and seeks the Lord, is sure to be under his wings, and free from all evil. Thinkest thou that God makes use of threatenings for thy hurt? No, he deals not with us as an angry Judge, but as a compassionate Father; men will take an enemy always at an advantage, when they may do him most hurt. Gods terrors overtake us, he threatens us that he will do this and this, that we may prevent it. He knows that unless his terrors awake us, we will rest secure. Before he smites us he tells us. I will whet my sword: He hath bent his bow, and made it ready: He hath prepared his instruments of death, Psal. 7.12, 13. He could shoot thee presently, and instantly run thee through, but he threatens thee, that so he may not strike thee. See what the Prophet Amos denounces from the Lord, Cap. 11, 12. I have given you cleanness of teeth, I have with holden rain, v. 6, 7, 8. I have smitten you with blasting and mildew, v. 9. I have sent amongst you the Pestilence, v. 10. yet have you not returned unto me. Therefore thus will I do unto thee O Israel, and because I will do thus unto thee, prepare to meet thy God O Israel, v. 12. What judgments have befallen us, have befallen us for our own use, if so be we will be warned by them. The reason why God saith he will overthrow us, is not because he means to do it, but that we may prevent him by repentance. Look ⟨p. 8⟩into Jer. 3.1. and see what wonderful passages are to this purpose: There's a Law-case. If a man put away his Wife, and she go from him, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? But thou hast plaid the harlot with many lovers. And in the 20 v. As a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have you dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel. And yet see Gods unspeakable mercy. Return again unto me. And 23. v. Return ye back-sliding children, and I will heal your backsliding: turn to me, and Isle not cause mine anger to fall upon you. Only acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, v. 13. See God makes us the worst and vilest of all, and yet as it were entreats us to return.
O that we could see with what a gracious God ⟨p. 7⟩we have to deal! Canst thou but humble thy self? all these things shall speak peace unto thee. As an impenitent sinner is under the power of Satan, and liable to all misery: So contrariwise whoever returnes and seeks the Lord, is sure to be under his wings, and free from all evil. Thinkst thou that God makes use of threatnings for thy hurt? No, he deales not with us as an angry Judge, but as a compassionate Father; men will take an enemy alwayes at an advantage, when they may do him most hurt. Gods terrors overtake us, he threatens us that he will do this and this, that we may prevent it. He knows that unless his terrors awake us, we will rest secure. Before he smites us he tells us. I will whet my sword: He hath bent his bow, and made it ready: He hath prepared his instruments of death, Psal. 7.12, 13. He could shoot thee presently, and instantly run thee through, but he threatens thee, that so he may not strike thee. See what the Prophet Amos denounces from the Lord, Cap. 11, 12. I have given you cleannesse of teeth, I have with holden rain, v. 6, 7, 8. I have smitten you with blasting and mildew, v. 9. I have sent amongst you the Pestilence, v. 10. yet have you not return'd unto me. Therefore thus will I do unto thee O Israel, and because I will do thus unto thee, prepare to meet thy God O Israel, v. 12. What judgments have befallen us, have befallen us for our own use, if so be we will be warned by them. The reason why God saith he will overthrow us, is not because he meanes to do it, but that we may prevent him by repentance. Look ⟨p. 8⟩into Jer. 3.1. and see what wonderful passages are to this purpose: Ther's a Law-case. If a man put away his Wife, and she go from him, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? But thou hast plaid the harlot with many lovers. And in the 20 v. As a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have you dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel. And yet see Gods unspeakable mercy. Return again unto me. And 23. v. Return ye back-sliding children, and I will heal your backsliding: turn to me, and Ile not cause mine anger to fall upon you. Only acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, v. 13. See God makes us the worst and vilest of all, and yet as it were intreats us to return.
