A supplement to the several discourses upon various divine subjects

1. An unpardoned man is a miserable man. Such a state lays you open to all the miseries on earth, and all the torments in Hell. The poorest beggar with a pardon is higher than the greatest prince without it. How can we enjoy a quiet hour, if our debt be not remitted, since we owe more than we are able to pay? You may dye with a forfeited reputation, and yet be happy; but what happiness, if you die with unpardoned guilt?

1. An unpardoned man is a miserable man. Such a state lays you open to all the miseries on earth, and all the torments in Hell. The poorest begger with a pardon is higher than the greatest prince without it. How can we enjoy a quiet hour, if our debt be not remitted, since we owe more than we are able to pay? You may dye with a forfeited reputation, and yet be happy; but what happiness, if you die with unpardoned guilt?

(1.) There must either be pardon or punishment. The law doth oblige either to obedience or suffering: the Commands of it must be observed, or the penalty endured. God will not relax the punishment without a valuable consideration. If it be not executed, the creature may accuse God of want of wisdom in enacting it, or defect of power in maintaining it. Therefore there must be an exact observance of the law, which no creature after the first deviation is able to do; or an undergoing the penalty of it, which no Sinner is able to bear. There must therefore be a remission of this punishment for the good of the creature, and the Satisfaction of the law by a surety, for the honour of Gods justice. If we have not therefore an interest in the surety, the purchaser of remission, we must lye under the severity of the law in our persons.

(1.) There must either be pardon or punishment. The law doth oblige either to obedience or suffering: the Commands of it must be observed, or the penalty indured. God will not relax the punishment without a valuable consideration. If it be not executed, the creature may accuse God of want of wisdom in enacting it, or defect of power in maintaining it. Therefore there must be an exact observance of the law, which no creature after the first deviation is able to do; or an undergoing the penalty of it, which no Sinner is able to bear. There must therefore be a remission of this punishment for the good of the creature, and the Satisfaction of the law by a surety, for the honour of Gods justice. If we have not therefore an interest in the surety, the purchaser of remission, we must lye under the severity of the law in our persons.