us sinner; can he endure me longer? Well, hear what the Lord
saith, I am "long-suffering" and patient. And if he had not been so, we
had been damned ere now. Patience hath a long term, and we cannot outrun
it, outweary it. Why do we not wonder that he presently and instantly
executed his wrath on angels, and gave them not one hour's space for
repentance, but cast them down headlong into destruction, as in a moment;
and yet his majesty hath so long delayed the execution of our sentence,
and calls us unto repentance and forgiveness, that we may escape the
condemnation of angels? His patience is not slackness and negligence, as
men count it, 2 Pet. iii. 9. He sits not in heaven as an idol, and idle
spectator of what men are doing; but he observes all wrongs, and is
sensible of them also. And if we were mindful and sensible of them also,
he would forget them. He is long-suffering. This is extended and
stretched-out patience beyond all expectation, beyond all deserving, yea
contrary to it. Therefore, as long as he forbears, if thou apprehend thy
misery and sin, and continuance in it; do not conclude that it is
desperate. "Why should a living man complain?" As long as patience
lengthens thy life, if thou desire to come to him, believe he will accept
thee.

But, saith the doubting soul, I am exceeding perverse and wicked, there is
nothing in me but wickedness. It so abounds in me that there is none like
me. But, saith the Lord, I am "abundant in goodness." Thy wickedness
though it be great, it is but a created wickedness, but my goodness is the
goodness of God. I am as abundant in grace and goodness as thou art in
sin--nay, infinitely more. Thy sin is but the transgression of a finite
creature, but my mercy is the compassion of an infinite God,--it can
swallow it up. Suppose thy sin cry up to heaven, yet mercy reaches above
heaven, and is built up for ever. Here is an invitation to all sinners to
come and taste--O come and taste, and see how good the Lord is! Goodness is
communicative; it diffuses itself, like the sun's light. There is riches
of his goodness. Rom. ii. 4. Poor soul, thou canst not spend it though
thou have many wants!

But I am full of doubtings, fears, and jealousies. I cannot believe in his
promises. I often question them. How, then, will he perform them? I say,
saith the Lord, I am abundant in truth. He will certainly perform. Shall
our unbelief, or doubting, "make the faith of God without effect?" &c.
Rom.