140 GoTel Remits. ion. difcover the weaknefs of their flanding, that reft on falfe grounds, the Firft is this many think that God has pardoned their fin , becaufe it is but little theyhave beenguilty of ; and for that they think there is a pardon in courfe ; were I guilty of fuch hor- rible wickednefs, and notorious fins as many others are; then I think it would go hard with me ; I should be afraid things between God and me werevery grievous , but the fins I have been guilty of, are no fuch great fins ; I hope God will pats them by : God forbid I íhould think he were fo ftrict as not to pats by fuch fmall fins as thole that I have been guiltyof. For anfwer to this, Anfw. i. Know thou doll not underfland,what the evil and maligni- ty offin means : If thou think'ft the leaft fin does not make ft:ch a breach between God and thee, as all creat d power in Heaven and Earth, can never make up again : if you do not believe that all thofe Sermons preach'd unto you about the evil of fin , are loft unto you. But know as a little Pen- knife may flabyou to death, a s truly as a ga , li of the greatef$ Sword, and a little (hot out of a Piflol may kill you as well as a Canon bullet ; So a little fin may prove your eternal ruine as well as a great one : and therefore that is no argument that God hath pall: by your fins, becaufe they are little ones ; and for that confider this one thing I am further (peaking of : 2. Godspardoningmercy is his own, to do with it what he pleafes and therefore that God may Thew his prerogative, he will fometimes to force, pardon their great fins , and o- thers he will damn for little fins ; you think your fins are not fogreat as other mens, and therefore you think that God will forgive you ; donot deceive your felves with this, God will do with his mercy what he pleafes. What if he will pardon the molt notorious grofs fins in others, and damn thee for thy fins in thoughts ? what if hewill pardon the molt noto- rious uncleannefs and murder in another, and damn thee for awanton thought ? he may do it, for his mercy is his own : For this take the example of David andSaul compared to- gether, Davidcommitted many fins, but efpecially thofe two ofAdultery and e m trder, and yet God pardoned him, but Saul
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