The beatitudes

2. The second adoptional privilege is this, if we are Privi∣ledge. 2 children, then God will bear with many infirmities. A father bears much with a child he loves, Mal. 3.17. I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. We oft grieve the Spirit, abuse kindness; God will pass by much in his children, Numb. 23.21. he hath not seen iniquity in Jacob; his love doth not make him blind; he sees sin in his people, but not with an eye of revenge, but pity; He sees sin in his children, as a Physician doth a disease in his Patient; He hath not seen iniquity in Jacob so as to destroy him; God may use the rod, 2 Sam. 7.14. not the Scorpion. O how much is God willing to pass by in his children, because they are children! God takes notice of the good that is in his children, and passeth by the infirmity. God doth quite contrary to us; we oft take notice of the evil that is in others, and over-look the good. Our eye is upon the flaw in the Diamond, but we observe not its sparkling. But God takes notice of the good that is in his children; God sees their faith, and winks at their failings, 1 Pet. 3.6. Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him Lord; the holy Ghost mentions not her unbelief, and laughing at the promise, but takes notice of the good in her, viz. her obedience to her husband; she obeyed Abraham calling him Lord. God puts his finger upon the fears and infirmities of his children; how much did God wink at in Israel his first-born! Israel oft provoked him with their murmurings, Deut. 1.27. but God answered their murmurings with mercies; he spared them as a father spares his son.

2. The second adoptional priviledge is this, if we are Privi∣ledge. 2 children, then God will bear with many infirmities. A father bears much with a child he loves, Mal. 3.17. I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. We oft grieve the Spirit, abuse kindnesse; God will passe by much in his children,