268 ije parnionpof tljcZibitte 2fttributrZ Chap. 14, viledg and licenfe to fin againft him. Nay,final Impeni- v-Y. tency is unpardonable to Mercy it felf. For the objects of juflice and Mercy cannot be the fame: nowan impe- nitent firmer is neceffarily under the revenging Juflice ofGod. 'Tis nodiifparagement to his Omnipotency that he cannot fave fach: For although Godcan do whatfo- ever he will, yet he can will nothing but what is agreea- ble to his Nature. Not that there is anyLaw aboveGod thatobliges him to act, but he is a Law to himfelf. And the more excellent his Perfections are, the lefs he can contradictthem. As 'tis no reflection upon his Power that he cannot die, neither is it that he can do nothing unbecoming his Perfections. On the contrary, it im- plies weaknefs to be liable to any fuch act. Thus fup- pofing the Creature Holy, it is impofiible but he fhould love itsnot that heows any thing to the Creature, but in regard he is infinitelygood: and ifimpenitent and obfti- nate in fin, he cannot but hateandpuniib it; notthat he is accountable for his Actions, but becaufe he is infi- nitely JO. And from hence it appears, that the requir- ing ofRepentance and Faith inorder to the actual par- taking of thebleffings our Redeemerpurchafed,dothnot diminifh the value of his Satisfaction; they being not thecaufes ofpardon, but neceffary qualifications in the fubjecl that receives it.. 2. It Both not leffen the Compleatnefs of his Satif faction,that Believers are liable toAfflictions and Death. For thefe are continued according to the agreement be- tweenGod anal our Redeemer,fòr other ends than Satif- faction toJuftice, which was fully accomplüht by him. This will appear by feveral Confiderations: r. Some Afflictions have not the nature ofa Punifh- ment, but are intended only for the exercife of their ;, vet ,- Graces ; that the trialoftheir Faith, Patience, andHope being much morepreciools than ofGold thatperijheth,thougb it
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