Mercy magnified on a penitent prodigal, or, A brief discourse

3. When men, by falsely interpreting of Gods patience and benignity, do presume him to favour and approve of their wicked ways; so they argued, Psal. 50. 21. These things thou hast done, and I kept silence: thou thoughtest I was altogether such an one as thy self. Prospering iniquity is in their account, Piety; sin unpunished, settles their resolutions, and fortifies them in their courses, Eccl. 8. 11. And what is this but to go far from God, when men make such a God of him, that if he were so, he should cease to be God? Make him to be one that loves your sin, and approves of your iniquity, and you do manifestly deny the God-head.

3. When men, by falsly interpreting of Gods patience and benignity, do presume him to favour and approve of their wicked wayes; so they argued, Psal. 50. 21. These things thou hast done, and I kept silence: thou thoughtest I was altogether such an one as thy self. Prospering iniquity is in their account, Piety; sin unpunished, settles their resolutions, and fortifies them in their courses, Eccl. 8. 11. And what is this but to go far from God, when men make such a God of him, that if he were so, he should cease to be God? Make him to be one that loves your sin, and approves of your iniquity, and you do manifestly deny the God-head.

4. When men go on in evil ways adding sin to sin: all sin sets the creature at a distance from the holy God; sin is of a separating nature, Isa. 59. 2. Your sins have separated between you and your God. Every transgression is a step from God, when men throw themselves into vain courses they are upon their journey; and as they grow more bold in wicked ways, they get further off from him: Sin is called a going a whoring from God, & what is that but a going from the lawful husband, to the bed of a stranger? Apostate Judah is therefore said to be gone far from God,