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will show them no mercy, and he that formed them will show them no favour, Isa. xxvii. 11. Thus it is spoken to every sinner remaining in his sin, notwithstanding that God made him.

2. Some say their afflictions have been so many, so great, and so lasting, that they hope they have had their hell in this life; whence it is that their hearts are quiet in respect of any fear of wrath and judgment at the last day.

I would ask such, whether they, being thus afflicted, have returned to God that smote them, Isa. ix. 13; and whether their afflictions have made them better; or whether, like Solomon's fool brayed in a mortar, Prov. xxvii. 22, their sin and folly is not departed from them? If so, they must know, the more they have been, and now are afflicted, if they be not reformed by it, this does presage that there is the more and worse behind; as it was in the case of Judah, Isa. i. 5. v. 12 - 14; Amos iv. 6 - 13. Many have been often and extremely corrected by their parents, &c. yet, remaining incorrigible, have at last suffered public execution.

3. Some, though their ways be never so evil, yet because to them God's judgments are far above, out of their sight, and because they have no changes, Psa. lv. 19; Eccles. viii. 11, God forbearing to execute his judgments upon them speedily, they persuade themselves that God sees not, or that he is not angry with them, or that he regards not, Psa. x. 6, 11, 13, and that he will neither do good nor bad, thinking that God has forgotten, or that he is like them, Psa. l. 21, well enough pleased with them; hereby they lay their consciences asleep, promising unto themselves immunity from punishment, and that they shall never be moved, Psa. x. 6.

Know ye, that God's forbearance of his wrath is not because he sees not, or because he has forgotten, or regarded not your wickedness; but because he would give you time and means of repentance; it is because he would not have you perish, but come to repentance, that you may be saved, 2 Peter iii. 9;