their punishment will not be meted out to them until the final judgment. Then God "will render to every man according to his deeds."[1] "Unto them that are contentious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness; indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil."[2] Be awakened then, my impenitent bearers, to a sense of your danger. Let God's patience with you lead to a timely repentance. This is the gracious design Heaven has in view, in bearing with your bad manners from day to day and from year to year. He is slow to anger under all your provocations, in order that you may be suitably affected, and so be led to repentance and salvation. Abuse not his mercy by hardening your hearts and stiffening your necks. Think not that because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, you will therefore escape punishment. The arm
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retributive justice of god.
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