saue. An odious, tedious, endlesse inculcation of things, doth often tire those with whom a soft and short reproofe would finde good impression. Such, while•• they would in intent edifie, doe in euent tedi∣fie. Indeede there is no true zeale, without some spice of anger: onely subsit iracundia, non praesit; giue thy an∣ger due place, that it may follow as a seruant, not goe before as a Master.
It is obiected, that the thoughts of God are peace. He that is couered with Thunder, and cloathed with Lightning, speakes, and the Earth trembles, toucheth the Mountaines, and they smoke for it; sharpens not his tongue like a Rasor, but speakes by mournefull com∣plaint. What then meane our Preachers, to lift vp their voyces as Trumpets, and to speake in the tune of Thunder against vs? We cannot weare a garment in the fashion, nor take vse for our Money, nor drinke with a good fellow , nor strengthen our words with the credite of an Oath; but bitter inuectiues must be shot, like Porcupines Quils, at these slight scapes. I answer••, God knowes when to chide, and when to mourne; when to say, Get thee behinde me Satan, as to Peter, and when coolely to taxe Ionas, doest thou well to be angry? But he that here mournes for Israell degene∣rate, doth at another time protest against Israell Apo∣state; and sweares, they shall neuer enter into his rest. We would faine doe so to, I meane, speake nothing but grace and peace to you: but if euer we be Thornes, it is because we liue amongst Bryers: if we lift vp our voy∣ces, it is because your hearts are so sleepy, that you would not else heare vs.
4. God did thus complaine against Israell: where are his complaints, you will say, against vs? Sure, our sinnes are not growne to so proud a height▪ as to threa∣ten Heauen, and prouoke GOD to quarell. Oh ill-grounded