QUESTION X. 327 to the great God, the Lawgiver and the Governor of the world, for the injury done to his divine authority and his government by former sins : Nor can his goodness be justly reproached if he insist on the punishment of the offender. If lenity should be always practised, and sinners should come off always without punishment, there would be no sufficient guard and defence to maintain theauthority of the lawgiver amongst his subjects, and to deter them from new offences. I add further also, that it is not possible that any future virtues of a former offender., or any future instances of obedience, can make atonement to God, and give a recompense to him for past iniquities, or repair the honours of the broken law, because the creature owes bishighest and best services toGod his Maker, according to the lawof cre- ation., andhe can never do more than was his duty. U. Yet when we consider God not only as a righteous Go- vernor, that will vindicate his own honour and authority, but also as a God who is holy, and loves holiness inevery degree, and is also the most beneficent and merciful Father of his mise- rable creatures, we may reasonably suppose he will encourage and reward every little appearance of goodness that he sees amongst them, where he can do it with a salvo to his honour and government. And when we further observe, there will be wicked creatures in abundance for him to make the objects of his vengeance, and to testify his severe displeasure against sin, and vindicate the honour of his broken law ; surely we may suppose it very probable by the light of nature, that where any personof the race of men does repent of sin, does return to his obedience to his Maker, and practise piety towards God, and single and social virtues, so far as he has any powers, opportunities or ad- vantages to find out and perform his.duty, we may probably sup- pose, I say, and hope, that God wilt favourably pass by the transgression of such creatures ; and especially when we consider that the prevalence of corrupt nature sometimes isalmost unavoid- able in the present stateof sin and temptation in which they were born, we may reasonably hope that the blessed God will put all these considerations into the balance, and will make gracious allowances for them : Upon this account we may have some reason to think; that virtuousand pious men, though their hearts ór lives are blemished with some sins and frailties, will not go without some sort of reward. It is probable that Godwill make it appear in a future state, that his goodness has some regard even for imperfect virtue, in repenting sinners, as well as his justice demands its due honours in the punishment of criminals, who continue in their rebellion without remorse. III. Itmight be added yet further, to enforce this conside- ration, that since God preserves mankind notwithstanding their daily offences, and affords them so many circumstances of ease
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=