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

1. Negatively: These afflictions are not properly the punishments of those Sins. If we take punishment for the execution of Vindictive Justice, this is not to be attributed to that: we must beware of their distinction, who say God forgives the Guilt, but not the punishment: Guilt is nothing else but an obligation to suffer punishment, and if the Guilt be remitted, that obligation is taken off: there is nothing legal on this account. God doth not sit upon them as a Judge to condemn them, for he hath already past an act of Grace upon them in pardoning them.

2. Positively; God in all this hath an eye and respect to the Covenant of Grace, under which be hath taken them. And how consonant it is to that, will be evident if we Consider;

1. God in the New Covenant hath declared that he will chasten the bold Transgressions of his Children. Their relation to the promises doth not secure them against this; and it would wrong them if it should see how the Covenant runs on this account, Psal. 89. 30. &c. It is one Article in the Covenant, Heb. 12. 6. He scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. God will maintain a fathers authority over them, and use a fathers discretion in it.