---

Nothing is more true of God than that He is the first and chiefest good; His prime perfection is goodness, and our truest notion of Him is, that He is almighty goodness.

I. BY WAY OF VINDICATION. And to give satisfaction to objections that arise against this great truth. Three objections.

1. Several instances of God's severity are found recorded in Scripture: e.g., the Deluge; Destruction of Canaanites, etc. To this answer —

(1) When necessaries for our good are afforded, and by any neglected, the blame lies upon them.

(2) Sometimes the sins of nations and persons are come to their height, and God is forced to punish.

(3) The judgments of God in this life are exemplary and disciplinary: and better a mischief should fall on particular persons, than that a general inconvenience should follow.

(4) God sometimes lets us feel something of hell here, to prevent it hereafter.

(5) There may be a particular account given of several scriptural cases; e.g., Nadab and Abihu, and Ananias and Sapphira.

(6) Though we do not know what time or leisure God will allow to sinners to repent, yet we certainly know God will grant forgiveness to penitents.

(7) There is no other way for God's forgiveness but the way of repentance. This is the tenor of the grace of God.

(8) We cannot competently judge the proceedings of God to His creatures.

2. God is represented as severe, in giving men up to a reprobate sense, stupidity, and hardness of heart. Answer —

(1) This case hath no promise.

(2) It is not fit for the exercise of grace or mercy, for this case is not compassionable. If some think that God, by an irresistible power, might have prevented all sin and misery, it may be answered, — Is it reasonable that God, having made voluntary and intelligent agents, should force them? Then there could be no exercise of virtue, for all virtue is in choice; and no happiness, for we should be under constraint. Of what use, in that case, would our natural faculties be? This would no longer be a probationary state. God draws; He does not force moral beings.

3. The necessity of justice in the case of sin. This objection will be resolved by a true explication of justice. God's justice is the same with His integrity and uprightness. These consist with the reason of the thing, and the right of the case. It is not necessary that God should punish sin, but He may justly do it, for sin deserves punishment.

II. EXPLICATION OF THE PHRASES OF THE TEXT. Five several words.

1. Gracious. Which imports to do good freely, without constraint: to go good above the measure of right and just; to do good without antecedent desert, or after-recompense.

2. Merciful. So as to compassionate His creatures in misery, so as to help them in respect of their infirmities, so as to pardon their iniquities.

3. Slow to anger. So as not to take advantage of His creatures, so as to overlook provocation; and so as to allow space for repentance.

4. Of great kindness. What He doth, He doth in pure good will, and for our good; not in expectation of being benefited by us; not according to the proportion or disposition of the receiver.

5. Repenteth Him of the evil. So as either it comes not at all; or it proves not what we fear and imagine; or it stays but a while if it do come; or He turns it into good.

III. CONFIRMATION OF THE TRUTH OF THE PROPOSITION OF THE TEXT. Four names and titles given to God that make this out.

1. His creation in infinite goodness, wisdom, and power. The variety, order, and fitness of things to their ends, declare the wisdom of God.

2. Conservation, protection, and government, declare God to be good, and full of loving-kindness.

3. Restoration and recovery out of the state of sin and misery.

4. Future confirmation and settlement in glory and happiness.

IV. CAUTION IS PRESENTED IN THE TEXT. Seen in two particulars.

1. Not to abuse this declaration of Divine goodness, either by holding the truth in unrighteousness, or turning the grace of God into wanton ness.

2. Not to permit hasty or rash judgment. If anything seem harsh in the dispensation of providence, we may understand it in a little time; therefore he that believes should not make haste.

V. APPLICATION.

1. Here is matter of information. We have a true judgment of God when we think of His greatness in connection with His goodness.

2. Here is matter of imitation. We may resemble God.

3. Here is matter of consolation. To all that are willing to do well, and would be good.

(B. Whichcote, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

WEB: "Yet even now," says Yahweh, "turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning."