When I consider how the goodness of God is abused by the greatest part of mankind, I cannot but be of his mind that said, The greatest miracle in the world is God’s patience and bounty to an ungrateful world. If a prince hath an enemy got into one of his towns, he doth not send them in provision, but lays close siege to the place, and doth what he can to starve them. But the great God, that could wink all His enemies into destruction, bears with them, and is at daily cost to maintain them. Well may He command us to bless them that curse us, who Himself does good to the evil and unthankful. But think not, sinners, that you shall escape thus; God’s mill goes slow, but grinds small; the more admirable His patience and bounty now is, the more dreadful and unsupportable will that fury be which ariseth out of His abused goodness. Nothing smoother than the sea, yet when stirred into a tempest, nothing rageth more. Nothing so sweet as the patience and goodness of God, and nothing so terrible as His wrath when it takes fire.
William Gurnall
1617-1679
Bill
fourpointer
abidingthroughgrace
There ya go again – mentioning hell and wrath and such. Aren’t you going to tell pagans and hell-bound reprobates that God loves them?
Many thanks for these reminders. The Lord will be glorified as He judges the works of all flesh and no deed nor thought will escape His eye. The horror of standing naked before the Righteous Judge of ALL!!! Run to Christ – in Him alone is refuge from the coming wrath and judgment!