Meditation LXXII.
Meditation LXXII.
THE PATIENCE OF GOD VERY GREAT.
Leghorn, April 6, 1759.
Truly it astonishes me that God spares those abandoned wretches, who day by day grow more wicked, and set their blaspheming tongues against the very heavens, and multiply rebellion against God. Truly it surprises me, that that vengeance which they so often invoke, is not poured down on them; that that power which they so often dare, does not destroy them! But God will manifest himself to be God by his adorable patience, as well as by his inflexible justice.
Let me suppose—that the subjects of a certain great king rise up in rebellion against him, but by his superior power are routed, reduced, and all made prisoners; that royal clemency makes out a pardon for many, who are so sensible of the unmerited favor, that they throw away the weapons of their rebellion, and ever after live the most obedient, loyal, and affectionate subjects that can be.
But suppose that others are apprehended, tried, condemned, and cast into prison, until the day they are to be brought forth and broken on the wheel; that in the mean time the stubborn wretches keep railing and abusing the prince, and spewing out their malice to everyone that passes by, until it reaches the royal ear; yet that it could not so incense the king as to cause him to send and tear the rebels limb from limb an hour before the set time. Even so deals God with sinners; he exercises amazing forbearance, not willing that any should perish—but at last he will punish dreadfully, and allow no sinner to escape.
Do I, then, envy them their few peaceful years? or would I, like the disciples of old, fetch down consuming flames from heaven to burn them up, before he comes in flaming fire to take vengeance on his enemies? No! let mercy reign her time; for with respect to the wicked, mercy shall soon give the throne to inexorable justice, and then their misery shall be past expression, and their overflowing anguish shall exceed the fountain of their tears.
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