A supplement to the several discourses upon various divine subjects

(4.) Forbearance of punishment is no argument of pardon, Eccles. 8.11. Because Sentence against an evil-work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the Sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Forbearance is made use of by men, to make them sin more desperately, more headily. Fully set, all checks silenced and stopped. Forbearance is no acquittance; it argues not God's forgiving the debt; the debt is due, though it be not presently sued for; and the longer the debt remains unpaid, the greater Sum will the Interest amount unto; because, the longer God doth forbear punishment, the longer time thou hast for Repentance; the account for that time will run high.

(4.) Forbearance of punishment is no argument of pardon, Eccles. 8.11. Because Sentence against an evil-work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the Sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Forbearance is made use of by men, to make them sin more desperately, more headily. Fully set, all checks silenced and stopt. Forbearance is no acquittance; it argues not God's forgiving the debt; the debt is due, though it be not presently sued for; and the longer the debt remains unpaid, the greater Sum will the Interest amount unto; because, the longer God doth forbear punishment, the longer time thou hast for Repentance; the account for that time will run high.

That God doth not punish, is an argument of his patience, not of his pardoning mercy. God laughs at Sinners: he sees their day is coming, though they may be jocund and confident of a pardon. God's forbearance may be in Justice; he may be brewing the Cup, and mixing that which thou art to drink. Prisoners may be reprieved one Assize, and executed the next: Reprieval of Execution is no allowance of the Crime, or change of the Sentence.