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

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.¹ Because I have called, and ye 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 ⟨p. 130⟩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, when the sinful Creature, forsaken of all Comforts below, addresses to Heaven for Relief, and meets with Derision and Fury, Scorn and Indignation. The foolish Virgins careless to prepare for the Bridegrooms coming, in vain at last discovered their want of Oil, in vain solicited the wise Virgins for a supply, in vain knocked at the door crying, Lord, Lord, open unto us: the answer was severe and peremptory, I know you not, and they were for ever excluded from Spiritual Joys.