The truly blessed man

3. It is fit that God should make them smart for their folly. Though his Grace be free, it is not ⟨p. 342⟩fit that it should be contemptible: it is suitable that Sinners should know that he resents their unworthy carriage, and that they have a deep sense of the contempt they have cast upon him, and his Salvation. God will have his people find the bitterness of their rebellion, Jer. 2.19. And hence as they have made him to wait long on them, so that they wait some season upon him for his evidencing of his love to them.

4. They have been greatly hardened by these carriages. Every resistance made to the Spirit of God hardens men more: there is a contracted hardness which corroborates that which is natural. Hence they need more terrifying, breaking and humbling dispensations, to bring them down to the foot of God, and make them apprehensive of their evil ways, and doings; if the Prophet betroth […] old harlot, he will make her tarry for him many days, Hos. 3 3. Let not such then murmur at Gods so dealing with them, but remember their carriage to him, and justify him in this, and say, we deserve not only this delay, but utter rejection: nor yet be discouraged, but acknowledge Gods wisdom in it, and wait with humble submission hoping in his Grace, and resolving, if ever he comes, it will be admirable favour.

4. They have been greatly hardned by these carriages. Every resistance made to the Spirit of God hardens men more: there is a contracted hardness which corroborates that which is natural. Hence they need more terrifying, breaking and humbling dispensations, to bring them down to the foot of God, and make them apprehensive of their evil ways, and doings; if the Prophet betroth 〈…〉 old harlot, he will make her tarry for him many days,