The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

When Sinners are plunged in deep distress, when the shadow of Death sits upon their Eye-lids, they may with plentiful effusions of Prayers and Tears desire God to receive them to Heaven, not to serve him there, not to enjoy the Divine Presence, but as a Sanctuary from revenging Justice, as a Refuge from Hell. And will such Desires prevail? what swells the Confidence of Sinners, but unworthy Notions of God, as if a forced and formal Expression to him were sufficient to reconcile his offended Majesty?

When Sinners are plunged in deep distress, when the shadow of Death sits upon their Eye-lids, they may with plentiful effusions of Prayers and Tears desire God to receive them to Heaven, not to serve him there, not to enjoy the Divine Presence, but as a Sanctuary from revenging Justice, as a Refuge from Hell. And will such Desires prevail? what swells the Confidence of Sinners, but unworthy Notions of God, as if a forc'd and formal Expression to him were sufficient to reconcile his offended Majesty?

3. There is nothing renders Men more unworthy of Mercy than continuance ⟨p. 129⟩in Sin upon presumption of an easy Pardon at last. This is the most common deceitful Principle upon which they build their Hopes, as their Actions that bear the image of their Minds clearly manifest. They think that God is so gracious, such a lover of Souls, so easy to be entreated, that upon their dying Prayer, Lord, remember me in thy Kingdom, the answer will be, To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

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 and Benignity, which Consideration 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.