Ii THE GREAT MISERY OF THOSE wrath of the Almighty to shoot at ! and as a bush that must burn in the flames of his jealousy, and never be consumed ! § 11. (3) The torments of the damned must be extreme, because they are the effect of divine ven- geance. Wrath is terrible, but revenge is implacable. When the great God shall say, " My rebellious crea- tures shall now pay for all the abuse of my patience. Remember how I waited your leisure in vain, how I stooped to persuade and entreat you. Did you think I would always be so slighted ?" Then will he be revenged for every abused mercy, and for all their neglects of Christ and grace. O that men would foresee this, and please God better in preventing their woe ! § 12. (4) Consider also, that though God had rather men would accept of Christ and mercy, yet when they persist in rebellion he will take pleasure in their execution. He tells us, Fury is not in me ; yet he adds, Who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. VV retched creatures! when he that made them will not have mercy upon them, and he thatformed them will show them nofavour.(g) As the Lòrd rejoiced over them to do them good ; so the Lord will rejoice over them to destroy them, and to bring them to nought.( h) Woe to the souls whom God rejoiceth to punish ! He will laugh at their calamity, he will mock when their fear cometh ; when their )(Mr cometh as desolation, and their destruction cometh as a whirlwind ; wh.` Iistress and anguish cometh upon them.(i) Terrible truing, when none in heaven or earth can help them but z od, and he shall rejoice in their calamity ! Though scripture speaks of God's laughing and mocking, not literally, but after the manner of men; yet it is such an act of God in tormenting the sinner, which cannot otherwise be more fitly expressed. § 13. (5) Consider that Satan and themselves shall be God's executioners. He that was here so (g) Isa. xxvii. 4, 11. (h) Deut. xxviii. 63. (i) Prov, i. 26, 27.
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