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

2. God will forgive none but in a way consistent with his Holiness. Remember, that as there is a pardon to be had with God, for all sin, so there is a way in which it is to be obtained, ⟨p. 40⟩and out of the way it is vain to expect it: and God will not advance one Attribute to the wrong or injury of another. Now Gods Holiness is precious to him, and he hath a regard to that in all, and because of this, he cannot abide sin, Hab. 1. 13. Psal. 5. 4, 5. he did not come to save his people in, but from their sins, Mat. 1. 21. whom he pardons, them he will also purify; that therefore is the character of one that hath a grounded hope, viz. he purifieth himself, as he is pure, 1 Joh. 3. 3.

3. Hence, if you live and die in your sins, this forgiveness will be none of yours. God can exalt his forgiving mercy on such as shall be everlasting monuments of it, though you perish; and he will do it on such as shall make a better improvement of it than you do: and though all sin may be forgiven now, yet there is a time coming, when there will be no forgiveness; and there is no readier a way for you to bring your selves into that dismal condition, than to offer such an affront to the Grace of God which is now tendered you. Remember, this Grace now waits upon you; but when once time ends with you, you shall hear of it no more; and i• you die under the dominion of sin, you will certainly die under the guilt of it: and there is no readier way to provoke God to cut you off with a swift destruction, than thus to offer indignity to the proclamation of pardon, that he hath made unto you.