The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…

3. There is nothing renders Men more unworthy of Mercy than continuance in Sin, upon presumption of an easy Pardon at last. This is the most provoking Abuse of his Goodness and Long-suffering, ¹that should lead them unto Repentance. He can in the twinkling of an eye, in the beating of a Pulse cut off the Sinner: 'tis as easy to his Power as to will it. And there is ⟨p. 99⟩no Consideration should be so melting and moving as his Clemency. We read of David, that he had more than once in his power Saul his unjust and cruel Enemy, yet spared him: the effect of it was, that Saul was softened, and under such compunction of Spirit, that he wept, confessed his Guilt, and persecuted him no more, overcome by that unexampled Love:² If a Man find his Enemy, will he let him go? Yet Men take advantage from the Goodness of God, securely to despise his Laws. The habitual Sinner thinks that God is so gracious, such a Lover of Souls, so easy to be entreated, that upon his dying Prayer, Lord, remember me in thy Kingdom, the Answer will be, To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. This is the deceitful Principle upon which Men usually build their Hopes, as their Actions, that bear the Image of their Minds, clearly manifest. Now this presumptuous Indulgence gives the deepest grain to their Sins, and makes them more uncapable of Pardon. Chrysostom observes, that Judas was encouraged to betray his Master, presuming on his Lenity, Goodness, Benignity, ⟨p. 100⟩which Considerations intolerably aggravated his Treason, and confounded his Hopes. There is a dreadful threatening against those who reject the Invitations of Grace in their Prosperity, and when the righteous Judg comes to Sentence and Execution, are earnest Suppliants for Mercy. Because I have called, ³and ye have refused; I have stretched out my Hands, and no Man regarded: But ye have set at naught all my Counsel, and would none of my Reproof: I will also laugh at your Calamity, and mock when your Fear comes: When your Fear comes as a Desolation, and your Destruction as a Whirlwind, when Distress and Anguish come upon you; then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but shall not find me: For they hated Knowledge, and did not choose the Fear of the Lord. A doleful Case beyond all possible expression!