4 Observations on Hardening

How then should we define God's Hardening so that God is not seen as the author of sin?

If it is not infusing hardness in the heart, what is it? I believe that we should understand it in this way. It is a progressive just judgment in time and space, based upon His eternal decree concerning that particular person, whereby, because of their persistence in sin, He gives that person over to the sinful thoughts and tendencies of their own heart, to exalt themselves, and to do their own will. He will righteously and deliberately lead them into situations where they will be tempted, and they will be overcome by that temptation, to sin against Him. In His hardening there will be a sometimes gradual, or sometimes sudden, withdrawal of the Holy Spirit's gracious influences of common grace upon the sinner's heart so that they will not want to in any way, do the will of God. He makes them hard in relation to Himself, following their hardening their own hearts to His entreaties and warnings.