The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being…

1. That it is vain for any to pray for forgiveness ⟨p. 359⟩after this life; who did not seek and obtain it in this life. If this be the only finding time, needs must it be so: it is now that God and we are in the way, which our Saviour assures us is the proper time for us to agree with him in, Luk. 12. 58, 59. We are given to understand that there will be some who will at last be importunate for admittance & acceptance, but all in vain, Luk. 13. 25, 26, 27. Christ, who is now ready to hear prayers, will then have no ear to •end to them, nor be any whit moved by loud entreaties.

2. That Sinners may, in this life, put God off so long, till he resolves to have nothing more to do with them in way of special favour. It is a truth, that at what time a sinner truly turns, God will show him mercy; but yet men may sin themselves into desertion and dereliction, so that God will not give them repentance, and if so, he will not afford them forgiveness; for they are inseparable, Acts 531. And yet there may be such horrors and remorses, as will make them to cry fearfully for pardon; but they shall not be heard; hence such warning, Prov. 1. 28. And that reason, Vers. 24.

2. That Sinners may, in this life, put God off so long, till he resolves to have nothing more to do with them in way of special favour. It is a truth, that at what time a sinner truly turns, God will shew him mercy; but yet men may sin themselves into desertion and dereliction, so that God will not give them repentance, and if so, he will not afford them forgiveness; for they are inseparable, Acts 531. And yet there may be such horrours and remorces, as will make them to cry fearfully for pardon; but they shall not be heard; hence such warning,