3 Doctrine. The Lord is slow to anger (or, long-suf∣fring.)
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 long of anger.*] Which is meant not in respect of the continuance of His anger (for so he is quite contrary, as we shall see in the next verse, and Psal. 30.5. Isa. 54.8.) but in respect of the beginning of it: that is, He is long ere He will be an∣gry. For thus is the phrase every where ta∣ken, whether spoken of God or man. And so also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Prov. 19.11. The dis∣cretion of a man deferres his anger, or, makes him slow to anger. So Isa. 48.9. In like manner 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Eccles. 7.8. To which are contrary 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 short of anger & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Page 180short of spirit, that is, soon angry, or hasty of spirit, Prov. 14.17, 29. And this also (as the former Attribute) is here to be understood in actu primo, as noting a pro∣pension in God to refraine His anger in the effects of it (viz. revenge or punishments) notwithstanding the greatnesse, continuance, or frequent iteration of mens sinnes.
For the Proof and Reason see Doctr. 1.*
Uses.
For our instruction 1 This Attribute of long-suffring presupposes in God a naturall hatred of sinne:* His refraining for a time the effects of His displeasure implies that He is displeased at it. And both these presuppose Gods omnisciency, whereby He knowes all sinnes.
2 See here the true cause why sinners many times goe so long unpunished: Not their desert, nor that God either sees not, or hates not their sinnes, or is not able to punish them; but His long-suffring, or slownesse to anger.
3 Hence also it appeares that the sinnes of impenitent persons are not at all remitted by Gods long-suffring. Quod differtur, non aufertur. Forbearance is no quittance. Their punishment is onely put off, not ta∣ken off. Gods suffring is long, but not for Page 181ever. If men will find no end of sinning, God will find an end of suffring, and a begin∣ning of punishing.
This reproves 1 Such as are unlike to God,* 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Prov. 14.17. & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vers. 29. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that are soon angry, hasty of spirit, who like tindar or gun-pow∣der, take fire presently at the least spark of any offense, yea sometimes where there is none at all, but onely in their misapprehen∣sion.
2 Such as abuse the long-suffring of God to quite contrary ends; viz. to pride, luxu∣ry, oppression &c. to foster impious con∣ceits of God, that He is such an one as them∣selves, Psal. 50.21. to set their hearts fully to doe evill, Eccles. 8.11.
3 Such as envy Gods long-suffring to∣wards others, yea pray for speedy vengeance upon them.
It exhorts us 1 To hasten our repentance,* lest that come upon us, Rom. 2.4, 5. &c.
2 Patiently to suffer afflictions, though they seem very long to us.
Motiv. 1 Let us consider how long God hath suffred our sinnes most unjustly com∣mitted against Him, and be ashamed not to suffer patiently His chastisements most justly inflicted upon us, yea farre below our desert. Page 1822 They are sent by God to purge and take away our sinnes, Isa. 27.9. that we should not be condemned with the world, 1 Cor. 11.32. but be made partakers of His holi∣nesse, Hebr. 12.10. and consequently of e∣ternall happinesse. Shall not we then pati∣ently beare afflictions, which are sent for our great good, when God patiently beares our sinnes which are good for nothing (Rom. 6.21. Ephes. 5.11.) yea which are directly contrary to the greatest good, Gods glory and our salvation? 3 How long soever the time of our suffrings seems to us, certainly it shall last no longer then is requisite to the ends before mentioned, Lam. 3.33. And shall not we so long endure the hand of God, Who hath with so much patience en∣dured us pressing Him with our sinnes, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves? Amos 2.13.
3 To imitate God in being long-suffring, or slow to anger, patiently enduring the in∣juries offred to us by others, though great, though many, though long continued and often repeated.
