against him, did he not bear with them, forgive their iniquities, and crown them with loving-kindness?

But why do I mention particular examples? There is not a spot on our globe, there is not an instant that has elapsed since the creation, there is not a human being that has existed, from the first created man to the infant that this moment has opened its eyes upon the light, that does not prove the forbearance of our God. The very continuance of the world proves that his patience is divine. Consider the number, the greatness, and the continuance of the provocations against him, the great Creator and most bountiful Benefactor, by creatures whom he hath made, whom he hath surrounded with blessings, for whose redemption he gave the Son of his love to agonies unutterable; and then fall down in adoring wonder that this polluted and rebellious earth has not long since been struck into everlasting darkness and final ruin. Yes, Lord, it is because thou art God, and not man, that it has not long since been consumed! Brethren, not merely men, but angels and glorified spirits could not bear the provocations which God endures; had they had the regulation of earth, they would long since have inflicted the vengeance for which they ask, while their souls, lying under the altar, cry, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" (Rev. vi. 10.) If all the patience possessed by all the creatures that ever were made, were concentrated in the heart of the most benignant angel in heart, and the government of the world committed to him for a single day, fire must speedily come down from heaven and consume us all. the holy God bears year after year, generation after generation, century after century, with these multi

Yet

plied provocations: and this too when his very forbearance is basely misconstrued, and made an encouragement to new sin.

Consider too the conduct of God towards those whom he is compelled ultimately to punish. Before the judgments approach which they are bringing down upon their heads, he solemnly and affectionately warns them. He thunders at a distance before the bolt descends, that men may in time flee to the covert, the asylum that is opened for them. He sends message after message, that they may at last be induced to listen. If they are still obstinate, he delays, he gives new mercies, that their souls at last may be touched. If he must punish, he does it by degrees, leaving much if he deprive them of some blessings, letting fall only some drops of his anger, when the whole cloud of vengeance might justly be discharged upon them, " stirring not up all his wrath." (Ps. lxxviii. 38.) If at last he must pour out his vengeance upon the incorrigible sinner, he appears to do it with reluctance: he stands over him and cries, "Why wilt thou die ?" "How shall I give thee up, Ephraim?" and seems still averse to pronounce the irrevocable sentence upon him. Brethren, have we hearts capable of any generous emotions, of any grateful feelings? shall they not burn within us at this touching forbearance of our God?

Let us forget for a moment the rest of the world, and the general conduct of God to our race; let us reflect on his dealing with ourselves, and we shall be constrained to bless him for his patience. There is not one of us who is not a monument of his forbearance; there is not one of us who would not long since have been rolling in those flames which never shall be quenched, agonized by the gnawings of that

worm which never dieth, had it not been for the patience of our God. Believers, you all acknowledge and feel this; and through eternity will bless him who lengthened out the season of your visitation, and preserved your lives till you were led to the cross of Jesus, to the fountain opened for transgression. And say, careless and impenitent men, why is it that the curse is still suspended, and does not descend upon you; that the thunders still linger; that salvation yet is offered; that the messages of reconciliation yet sound in your ears? Is it not because God is patient? Because the Intercessor yet pleads,

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Spare him for another year, or month, or week; let him enjoy another season of grace, another offer of everlasting life?" And shall this forbearance be still abused? Shall this means of grace be added to those that have been abused, and that have gone before you to the bar of God, and are there accusing you, and pleading against you? Will you still continue unaffected till the dreadful sentence shall be pronounced," Cut him down, why cumbereth he the ground!" God of patience and long-suffering, interceding Jesus, prevent this dreadful doom, and let the riches of thy forbearance lead these sinners to repentance!

After this view of the patience of God, we are naturally led to inquire into the reasons why he exercises such long-suffering to the guilty children of men. we are to examine in the

IIId. Division of our discourse.

This

Lovely as is this attribute, its exercise has often appeared mysterious to the pious, and has been abused by the sinner. Asaph is not the only believer whose "feet had well nigh slipped" at beholding the prosperity of the wicked, and seeing them encom

passed by the divine patience with "more than heart could wish." And on the other hand, how many impenitent men have there been "whose heart has been fully set in them to do mischief, because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily?" Yet a little reflection, an entrance into the sanctuary, would have convinced them, that in this, as in all the other proceedings of his providence, the manifold wisdom of God is shown.

1. He is patient in consequence of the benignity of his nature. These two properties are necessarily allied we see this in our fellow-men; we see it in Immanuel. Who more benignant than the blessed Jesus? and who more patient than he? Like him, the Father, of whom he is the "express image," "afflicteth not willingly, nor grieveth the children of men." (Lam. iii. 33.)

2. The Lord is patient to men that this perfection may be glorified. All his attributes are to be glorified and displayed, in their beauty and excellence, before all his intelligent creatures; but his patience can be manifested only in this world; there can be no exercise of it in heaven, since there will be nothing to require it; none in hell, since there will be nothing but wrath to the vessels of wrath. "Mercy has a heaven, and justice a hell, in which to display themselves to eternity: but long-suffering and patience have only a short-lived earth on which to be glorified." This reason is assigned by God himself: "For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain from thee that I cut thee not off." (ls. xlviii. 9.)

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3. The Lord is frequently patient to the wicked, consequence of the prayers of pious ancestors laid up for them in heaven, and of the promises made to

their holy progenitors, and their offspring after them. Ah! careless children of pious parents, whose counsels you have despised, and whose precepts you have refused to follow, you know not how much you are indebted to them. Though you grieved their hearts while they lived, by neglecting your God and your Saviour, yet they fervently and with tears pleaded for you at the throne of grace; and it may be that you had now been in hell, had they not in faith urged the promises, and laid hold on the divine omnipotence, and thus caused the judgments of God upon you to be stayed.

4. The Lord is frequently patient to the wicked, from their mixture with the pious, and the near relations subsisting between them. From love to his dear children, he spares his enemies. The family of Lot shall not all be cut off, that the soul of that holy man may not be torn with anguish. Desolating judgments shall not come upon Judah till good Josiah descend to his grave in peace. (2 Kings xxii. 18, 20.)

5. The Lord is patient, because the number of his elect is not yet completed, and because many of the descendants of these wicked men shall be trophies of his grace, and monuments of the Redeemer's power and love. Had a wicked Ahaz been cut off at once, a pious Hezekiah never would have lived, and pleaded the cause of God.

6. The Lord is patient with them, because the measure of their sins is not yet filled up. "The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full," is the reason which he himself assigns for the delay of their extinction. When that period shall arrive, the decree shall instantly go forth, "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe." Zechariah, to illustrate this truth, by