Twenty sermons preached at Oxford before His Majesty, and elsewhere

But leaving this, I proceed to the second Point, which is to direct us how to work our escape. Though God threatens us, yet if we have but the grace to look about us, and remember our selves: If God do but cause us to consider we have to deal with a merciful Father, and make us meet him by humiliation, then though our sins were as scarlet, yet submitting our selves to our Judge, living as obedient Subjects the storm shall pass from us: So that this is the Second Point.

2. Notwithstanding God threatens us, yet if he gives us but grace to repent, and bethink our selves, let our sins be never so great, we may be sure of mercy.

O that we could see with what a gracious God, 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 who ever 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. God's 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. He will whet his sword: He hath bent hi• bow, and made it ready: He hath prepared his instruments of death, Psalm 7.12, 13. He could shoot thee presently, and instantly run the through, but he ⟨p. 4⟩threatens thee, that so he may not strike thee. Non te vult percutere qui tibi clamat, Observa, He that saith: Look to your self, hath no intention to 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 into