Not to dwell on general views of his goodness, let us consider it,
II. Particularly as it manifests itself towards us — It is here more minutely delineated :
1. In reference to his patience —
[God will " chide" his people for their sins; nor would he act worthy of himself, if he did not manifest his displeasure against the violations of his holy law11. But we must all confess that he punishes neither soon — nor long — nor according to our deserts. Not soon ; for then he would be " always chiding," seeing that we give continual occasion for his displeasure to arise. But he is not extreme to mark what is done amiss0, well knowing that if he should contend with us for every fault, we could not answer him one of a thousand p. Nor will he visit us long : if he hide his face, it is but for a little moment q, and if he wound us, it is, for the most part, but a very short time before he binds us up again and heals usr. He will not be always wroth, lest our spirits should faint, and fail by reason of his displeasure s. Nor does he at any time " deal with us according to our iniquities.'1'' Where must every one of us have been if he had entered into judgment with vis according to the strict tenour of his law *? Whatever trials we may have been called to endure, they have been infinitely less than our iniquities have deserved11.]
2. In reference to his mercy —
[This has been boundless in its extent. Who can measure the vast expanse of heaven x? Yet such is the mercy of our God, having heights that cannot be explored, and depths that cannot be fathomed y. It reaches, not only to all persons, but to the utmost extent of their necessities or desires. It is also tender in its exercise. Can any thing on earth afford us a stronger image of tenderness, than a parent striving to soothe the anguish of his agonizing infant ? Yet such is the anxiety which God himself feels to heal our wounded spirits, and comfort us under all our conflicts2. It is, moreover, lasting in its effects. Let a straight line be drawn from east to west ; and the further it is drawn, the further shall the ends be removed from each other. Thus it is with respect to our sins which he has pardoned : they are put away from us to the remotest distance, never to meet upon our souls again, never to be remembered against us to all eternity a.]
n Heb. xii. 6, 7. ° Ps. cxxx. 3. p Job ix. 3.
i Isai. liv. 7, 8. r Hos. vi. 1,2. *> Isai. lvii. 16.
1 Compare Gal. hi. 10. with Ps. cxliii. 2. u Job xi. 6. x Jer. xxxi. 37. y Epb. hi. 18, 19.
z Hos. xi. 8. Jer. xxxi. 20. a ver. 17. Mic. vii. 19.