A sermon preached at White-Hall, February the 19th, 1685/6 being the first Friday in Lent / by Edw. Stillingfleet ...
         Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.
      
       
         
           1681
        
      
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             A sermon preached at White-Hall, February the 19th, 1685/6 being the first Friday in Lent / by Edw. Stillingfleet ...
             Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.
          
           36 p.
           
             Printed for Henry Mortlock...,
             London :
             1681.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- N.T. -- Luke XV, 18 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           at
           White-Hall
           ,
           February
           the
           19
           th
           ,
           1685
           /
           6.
           
           Being
           the
           First
           FRIDAY
           in
           LENT
           .
        
         
           BY
           
             EDW.
             STILLINGFLEET
          
           ,
           D.D.
           Dean
           of
           St.
           
           Paul's
           ,
           And
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           His
           MAJESTY
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Henry
             Mortlock
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Phoenix
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-yard
           .
           MDCLXXXVI
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             
               St.
               Luke
               xv
               .
               18.
               
            
             
               I
               will
               arise
               and
               go
               to
               my
               Father
               ,
               and
               will
               say
               to
               him
               ,
               Father
               ,
               I
               have
               sinned
               against
               heaven
               and
               before
               thee
               .
            
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           foregoing
           Verse
           ,
           we
           find
           the
           Prodigal
           Son
           so
           far
           awakened
           and
           
             come
             to
             himself
          
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           sensible
           of
           the
           Miserable
           Condition
           he
           had
           brought
           himself
           into
           by
           his
           own
           folly
           and
           wickedness
           .
           But
           ,
           before
           he
           came
           to
           this
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           Remarkable
           Turn
           in
           the
           course
           of
           his
           Life
           ,
           set
           down
           by
           our
           Saviour
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           this
           Excellent
           Parable
           .
           For
           ,
           He
           was
           first
           very
           Impatient
           of
           being
           under
           the
           Wise
           Conduct
           of
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           thought
           he
           could
           manage
           his
           own
           affairs
           far
           more
           to
           his
           Contentment
           and
           Satisfaction
           ,
           if
           he
           were
           but
           permitted
           to
           use
           his
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           were
           not
           so
           strictly
           tyed
           up
           to
           the
           Grave
           and
           Formal
           Methods
           of
           Living
           ,
           observed
           and
           required
           in
           his
           Father's
           House
           .
           Which
           might
           pass
           for
           Wisdom
           in
           Age
           ,
           and
           be
           agreeable
           enough
           to
           such
           whose
           Life
           and
           Vigour
           were
           decayed
           ;
           and
           who
           were
           now
           to
           maintain
           their
           Authority
           over
           their
           Children
           by
           seeming
           to
           be
           so
           much
           wiser
           than
           they
           :
           But
           it
           is
           a
           rare
           
           thing
           for
           Youth
           and
           Age
           to
           agree
           in
           the
           opinion
           of
           Wisedom
           :
           For
           it
           is
           not
           the
           Care
           ,
           the
           Experience
           ,
           the
           Judgment
           of
           a
           wise
           and
           tender
           Father
           ,
           that
           can
           allay
           the
           Heats
           ,
           or
           calm
           the
           Passions
           ,
           or
           over-rule
           the
           Violent
           Inclinations
           of
           Youth
           ;
           but
           whatever
           is
           cost
           them
           afterwards
           ,
           some
           will
           be
           still
           trying
           the
           Experiment
           ,
           whether
           it
           doth
           not
           more
           conduce
           to
           the
           happiness
           of
           Life
           to
           pursue
           their
           own
           Fancies
           and
           Designs
           ,
           than
           to
           hearken
           to
           another's
           Directions
           (
           though
           a
           Father's
           )
           whose
           Circumstances
           are
           so
           much
           different
           from
           their
           own
           .
           Thus
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           represents
           in
           the
           Parable
           this
           young
           Prodigal
           ,
           as
           weary
           of
           being
           rich
           and
           easie
           at
           Home
           ,
           and
           fond
           of
           seeing
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           the
           World
           :
           and
           therefore
           nothing
           would
           satisfie
           him
           unless
           he
           were
           Intrusted
           with
           the
           Stock
           which
           was
           Intended
           for
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           shew
           the
           difference
           between
           his
           Father's
           Conduct
           and
           his
           own
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           very
           soon
           appeared
           ;
           for
           this
           hopefull
           Manager
           had
           not
           been
           long
           abroad
           ,
           
             but
             he
             wasted
             his
             substance
             with
             riotous
             living
             .
          
           And
           to
           make
           him
           the
           more
           sensible
           of
           his
           Folly
           ,
           there
           happened
           a
           more
           than
           ordinary
           scarcity
           ,
           which
           made
           his
           low
           and
           exhausted
           Condition
           more
           uneasie
           to
           him
           .
           But
           the
           Sense
           of
           Shame
           was
           yet
           greater
           with
           him
           than
           that
           of
           his
           Folly
           ;
           and
           whatever
           shifts
           he
           underwent
           ,
           he
           would
           by
           no
           
           means
           yet
           think
           of
           returning
           home
           ;
           but
           rather
           chose
           to
           submit
           to
           the
           meanest
           and
           basest
           employment
           in
           hopes
           to
           avoid
           the
           Necessity
           of
           it
           .
           But
           at
           last
           ,
           Reason
           and
           Consideration
           began
           to
           work
           upon
           him
           ,
           which
           is
           called
           ,
           
             his
             coming
             to
             himself
          
           :
           and
           then
           he
           takes
           up
           a
           Resolution
           to
           go
           home
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           to
           throw
           himself
           at
           his
           Feet
           ,
           to
           confess
           his
           fault
           ingenuously
           and
           freely
           ,
           and
           to
           beg
           pardon
           for
           his
           former
           Folly
           ,
           in
           hopes
           of
           Forgiveness
           and
           Reconciliation
           .
           
             I
             will
             arise
             and
             go
             to
             my
             Father
             ,
             and
             say
             to
             him
             ,
             Father
             ,
             I
             have
             sinned
             against
             heaven
             ,
             and
             before
             thee
             .
          
        
         
           Under
           this
           Parable
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           sets
           forth
           the
           state
           of
           a
           Sinner
           ,
           (
           1.
           )
           In
           his
           wilfull
           degeneracy
           from
           God
           ,
           his
           Father
           ,
           both
           by
           Creation
           and
           Providence
           ;
           his
           uneasiness
           under
           his
           just
           and
           holy
           Laws
           ;
           his
           impatience
           of
           being
           restrained
           by
           them
           ;
           his
           casting
           off
           the
           Bonds
           of
           Duty
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           running
           into
           all
           kind
           of
           Disorders
           without
           regard
           to
           God
           ,
           or
           his
           own
           Soul.
           (
           2.
           )
           In
           the
           dissatisfaction
           he
           found
           in
           his
           evil
           Courses
           ;
           being
           very
           much
           disappointed
           in
           the
           great
           Expectations
           he
           had
           in
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           Sin
           ;
           wasting
           his
           health
           ,
           interest
           ,
           reputation
           ,
           estate
           ,
           and
           above
           all
           ,
           the
           Peace
           and
           Tranquillity
           of
           his
           Mind
           ,
           which
           was
           more
           valuable
           than
           any
           other
           Delight
           whatsoever
           ,
           and
           he
           now
           found
           impossible
           to
           be
           enjoy'd
           in
           a
           course
           of
           Rebellion
           against
           his
           heavenly
           Father
           .
           (
           3.
           )
           In
           the
           Conviction
           of
           his
           
           Folly
           upon
           due
           Consideration
           of
           what
           he
           had
           done
           ;
           which
           is
           Emphatically
           called
           
             Coming
             to
             himself
          
           ;
           having
           before
           acted
           so
           much
           below
           himself
           ,
           and
           against
           himself
           ;
           unworthy
           of
           the
           Relation
           he
           stands
           in
           to
           God
           ;
           of
           those
           Faculties
           he
           had
           bestow'd
           upon
           him
           ;
           and
           of
           those
           hopes
           and
           expectations
           he
           might
           have
           had
           from
           him
           either
           as
           to
           this
           or
           another
           World.
           (
           4.
           )
           In
           the
           Resolution
           he
           takes
           upon
           this
           Conviction
           ,
           no
           longer
           to
           delay
           his
           purpose
           of
           Repenting
           and
           Returning
           home
           ,
           but
           to
           embrace
           the
           present
           opportunity
           of
           doing
           it
           freely
           ,
           heartily
           and
           ingenuously
           ,
           
             I
             will
             arise
             and
             go
             to
             my
             Father
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           Having
           formerly
           in
           this
           Place
           ,
           and
           on
           a
           like
           Occasion
           considered
           the
           Prodigal
           Son
           's
           
             coming
             to
             himself
          
           ,
           I
           shall
           now
           pursue
           the
           Method
           of
           his
           Repentance
           in
           the
           Resolution
           he
           here
           takes
           
             to
             arise
             and
             go
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           And
           therein
           I
           shall
           enquire
           into
           these
           things
           ,
        
         
           I.
           What
           Grounds
           a
           Sinner
           hath
           to
           incourage
           him
           to
           Repent
           ;
           or
           to
           form
           such
           a
           Resolution
           in
           his
           Mind
           
             that
             he
             will
             arise
             and
             go
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
          
           when
           he
           knows
           he
           hath
           so
           much
           provoked
           and
           offended
           him
           .
        
         
           II.
           How
           necessary
           it
           is
           in
           order
           to
           true
           Repentance
           to
           form
           a
           fixed
           and
           steady
           Resolution
           to
           go
           through
           with
           it
           ,
           
             I
             will
             arise
             and
             go
          
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           First
           ,
           What
           Grounds
           a
           Sinner
           hath
           to
           incourage
           him
           to
           Repent
           ;
           or
           to
           make
           Application
           to
           his
           
           Father
           in
           order
           to
           Forgiveness
           ,
           since
           he
           is
           convinced
           he
           hath
           so
           justly
           offended
           him
           .
           For
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           Circumstances
           here
           mention'd
           ,
           he
           had
           no
           such
           Reason
           to
           hope
           to
           be
           receiv'd
           into
           Favour
           upon
           such
           easie
           Terms
           ,
           as
           are
           here
           expressed
           ;
           For
           ,
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           He
           had
           wilfully
           forsaken
           his
           Father's
           House
           ,
           without
           any
           just
           Cause
           of
           Complaint
           of
           and
           hard
           usage
           there
           .
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           He
           had
           embraced
           such
           a
           Course
           of
           Life
           ,
           which
           he
           knew
           was
           displeasing
           to
           him
           ,
           living
           riotously
           and
           disorderly
           ,
           in
           a
           way
           contrary
           to
           his
           Will.
           
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           He
           never
           thought
           of
           Returning
           home
           ,
           till
           mere
           necessity
           forced
           him
           ;
           till
           Hunger
           and
           Poverty
           made
           him
           
             come
             to
             himself
          
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           could
           be
           more
           disobliging
           to
           a
           Father
           ,
           than
           such
           Circumstances
           as
           these
           ?
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           His
           Father
           never
           forced
           him
           from
           home
           ,
           nor
           made
           his
           Condition
           uneasie
           there
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           here
           represents
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           as
           dealing
           with
           Mankind
           like
           a
           tender
           and
           indulgent
           Father
           ,
           and
           not
           like
           a
           severe
           and
           hard
           Master
           ;
           his
           Laws
           being
           intended
           for
           our
           Good
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           his
           own
           Advantage
           .
           There
           is
           no
           Duty
           of
           ours
           towards
           God
           ,
           or
           our selves
           ,
           or
           others
           ,
           but
           is
           founded
           on
           this
           Relation
           to
           God
           as
           a
           Father
           to
           Mankind
           .
           Nothing
           can
           be
           more
           reasonable
           in
           general
           than
           that
           the
           Father
           should
           order
           and
           
           direct
           his
           Children
           ,
           and
           give
           such
           Rules
           which
           are
           fitting
           for
           them
           to
           observe
           ;
           And
           if
           we
           examine
           the
           particular
           Laws
           of
           Nature
           ,
           or
           the
           Dictates
           of
           Reason
           as
           to
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           them
           very
           agreeable
           to
           God's
           Paternal
           Government
           .
        
         
           What
           is
           the
           Duty
           of
           Prayer
           to
           God
           ,
           but
           asking
           daily
           Blessing
           of
           our
           heavenly
           Father
           ?
           What
           is
           our
           Thanksgiving
           ,
           but
           a
           solemn
           owning
           his
           Paternal
           Care
           and
           Bounty
           towards
           us
           ?
           And
           in
           these
           two
           ,
           the
           main
           Duties
           of
           Natural
           Religion
           consist
           .
           The
           Neglect
           whereof
           ,
           is
           such
           a
           disrespect
           to
           our
           Heavenly
           Father
           ,
           as
           is
           not
           consistent
           with
           our
           believing
           him
           to
           be
           so
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           God
           himself
           argues
           in
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           
           
             A
             Son
             honoureth
             his
             Father
             ,
             and
             a
             Servant
             his
             Master
             :
             If
             then
             I
             be
             a
             Father
             ,
             where
             is
             mine
             honour
             ?
             And
             if
             I
             be
             a
             Master
             ,
             where
             is
             my
             Fear
             ?
          
           God
           was
           a
           Father
           by
           the
           Right
           of
           Creation
           and
           Providence
           :
           but
           he
           was
           a
           Master
           to
           the
           Jews
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           Bondage
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           and
           as
           there
           was
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Bondage
           on
           that
           account
           in
           them
           ,
           which
           inclined
           them
           to
           a
           more
           servile
           Fear
           ;
           so
           there
           ought
           to
           have
           been
           a
           natural
           Spirit
           of
           Adoption
           toward
           God
           as
           their
           Supreme
           Creatour
           and
           Father
           ;
           which
           should
           excite
           all
           men
           to
           such
           a
           dutifull
           Love
           ,
           such
           a
           Reverential
           Esteem
           ,
           such
           a
           mixture
           of
           Awe
           and
           Kindness
           as
           is
           in
           Children
           towards
           their
           Parents
           .
           Yea
           ,
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           much
           
           greater
           than
           that
           can
           be
           supposed
           ;
           because
           the
           Distance
           is
           Infinite
           between
           God
           and
           us
           ;
           and
           our
           Dependence
           more
           immediate
           and
           necessary
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           in
           him
           a
           Concurrence
           of
           all
           Perfections
           ,
           which
           may
           cause
           in
           us
           the
           highest
           Esteem
           ,
           and
           the
           humblest
           Adoration
           .
           There
           is
           an
           unquestionable
           Duty
           owing
           by
           Children
           to
           their
           earthly
           Parents
           ,
           
           
             but
             how
             much
             rather
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             ought
             we
             to
             be
             in
             subjection
             to
             the
             Father
             of
             Spirits
             ?
          
           The
           Fathers
           of
           our
           Flesh
           may
           be
           very
           Kind
           ,
           but
           not
           Wise
           in
           their
           Love
           ;
           or
           Wise
           and
           not
           so
           Kind
           ;
           or
           they
           may
           be
           both
           Wise
           and
           Kind
           ,
           but
           not
           Able
           to
           help
           their
           Children
           .
           They
           may
           love
           and
           pity
           ,
           and
           pray
           for
           them
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           in
           Misery
           ,
           or
           Sickness
           and
           Pain
           ,
           but
           after
           all
           ,
           they
           are
           unable
           to
           relieve
           them
           ;
           For
           the
           most
           indulgent
           Father
           ,
           when
           his
           bowels
           yearn
           ,
           and
           his
           heart
           is
           ready
           to
           break
           at
           the
           sight
           of
           a
           Child
           lying
           under
           the
           Agonies
           of
           Death
           ,
           is
           not
           able
           to
           give
           a
           Moments
           Respite
           to
           the
           terrible
           Pangs
           ,
           which
           he
           can
           neither
           behold
           nor
           abate
           .
           But
           our
           heavenly
           Father
           hath
           not
           onely
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           ,
           but
           Infinite
           Kindness
           and
           Power
           ;
           and
           where
           all
           these
           are
           joined
           together
           ,
           what
           Honour
           ,
           what
           Love
           ,
           what
           Fear
           is
           due
           unto
           him
           !
           Although
           there
           be
           defects
           in
           their
           Parents
           ,
           yet
           Children
           are
           still
           bound
           to
           obey
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           shew
           a
           mighty
           regard
           and
           Reverence
           towards
           them
           ;
           but
           here
           it
           is
           so
           much
           otherwise
           ,
           
           that
           if
           we
           could
           conceive
           our selves
           without
           this
           Relation
           to
           God
           ,
           yet
           his
           Perfections
           are
           so
           many
           ,
           so
           great
           ,
           so
           infinite
           ,
           as
           to
           deserve
           and
           require
           our
           utmost
           Veneration
           .
           The
           Prodigal
           Son
           could
           then
           have
           no
           Reason
           to
           complain
           of
           the
           Duty
           which
           he
           owed
           to
           his
           Father
           .
        
         
           And
           was
           it
           not
           fit
           for
           him
           to
           appoint
           the
           Orders
           of
           his
           Family
           ,
           and
           to
           expect
           that
           his
           Children
           should
           behave
           themselves
           therein
           ,
           as
           became
           the
           Relation
           they
           stood
           in
           to
           himself
           and
           to
           one
           another
           ?
           That
           they
           should
           have
           a
           decent
           regard
           to
           themselves
           in
           Sobriety
           ,
           Temperance
           ,
           Command
           of
           their
           Passions
           ,
           and
           care
           of
           their
           Words
           ;
           That
           they
           should
           behave
           themselves
           towards
           their
           Brethren
           with
           Sincerity
           ,
           Kindness
           and
           Justice
           ;
           which
           comprehend
           all
           the
           Duties
           we
           owe
           to
           one
           another
           ?
        
         
           And
           what
           now
           was
           there
           in
           all
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           Prodigal
           could
           have
           any
           Cause
           to
           complain
           of
           ,
           or
           that
           should
           make
           his
           Father's
           House
           so
           uneasie
           to
           him
           ?
           But
           his
           Father
           had
           just
           Cause
           to
           be
           provoked
           ,
           when
           his
           Wise
           Counsels
           ,
           and
           Prudent
           Care
           ,
           and
           Constant
           Kindness
           ,
           and
           Righteous
           Government
           were
           so
           much
           slighted
           and
           despised
           by
           a
           disobedient
           and
           ungratefull
           Son
           ;
           who
           had
           so
           little
           Sense
           of
           his
           Duty
           or
           his
           Interest
           as
           to
           be
           weary
           of
           being
           so
           well
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           therefore
           impatiently
           desiring
           to
           find
           out
           new
           methods
           of
           Living
           well
           ,
           as
           he
           then
           thought
           ,
           when
           the
           best
           
           Orders
           of
           his
           Father's
           Family
           were
           become
           so
           displeasing
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           But
           what
           were
           these
           new
           and
           fine
           Contrivances
           for
           his
           own
           happiness
           ?
           He
           began
           to
           suspect
           his
           Wife
           Father
           did
           not
           allow
           his
           Children
           Liberty
           enough
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           concealed
           from
           him
           the
           great
           Mystery
           of
           the
           Happiness
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           therefore
           concluded
           ,
           that
           if
           he
           did
           give
           way
           to
           those
           Desires
           which
           he
           found
           to
           be
           Natural
           ,
           but
           his
           Father
           thought
           Unreasonable
           ,
           he
           should
           enjoy
           much
           more
           Pleasure
           and
           Satisfaction
           than
           he
           did
           at
           home
           .
           And
           being
           resolved
           upon
           this
           ,
           he
           gives
           way
           to
           those
           Inclinations
           he
           found
           strongest
           in
           himself
           ,
           denies
           himself
           no
           Pleasures
           of
           Life
           ,
           accounts
           Vertue
           but
           a
           Name
           which
           sowre
           and
           morose
           Persons
           put
           upon
           their
           own
           humours
           ;
           and
           Religion
           but
           a
           Device
           for
           Fools
           to
           deceive
           themselves
           ,
           and
           Knaves
           to
           deceive
           others
           by
           .
           And
           so
           he
           throws
           off
           all
           checks
           and
           restraints
           upon
           himself
           ,
           and
           never
           regards
           the
           Good
           or
           Evil
           of
           what
           he
           doeth
           ,
           for
           his
           Lusts
           are
           his
           Laws
           ,
           and
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           them
           he
           now
           looks
           upon
           as
           the
           onely
           real
           Happiness
           of
           Mankind
           .
        
         
           And
           could
           any
           thing
           be
           supposed
           more
           provoking
           to
           his
           Heavenly
           Father
           than
           such
           a
           wicked
           and
           dissolute
           way
           of
           Living
           ?
           So
           contrary
           to
           his
           Father's
           Will
           ,
           to
           his
           own
           Reason
           ,
           Conscience
           ,
           
           Interest
           ,
           Reputation
           ;
           and
           which
           soon
           brought
           him
           to
           Shame
           and
           Misery
           ?
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           But
           that
           which
           added
           yet
           more
           to
           the
           height
           of
           the
           Provocation
           was
           ,
           that
           he
           did
           not
           think
           of
           Returning
           home
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           upon
           the
           first
           apprehension
           of
           his
           own
           Folly
           ;
           But
           he
           resolved
           to
           undergo
           any
           difficulty
           ,
           and
           submit
           to
           any
           hardship
           ,
           rather
           than
           doe
           what
           was
           necessary
           in
           order
           to
           Reconciliation
           with
           his
           Father
           .
        
         
           How
           hard
           a
           Matter
           then
           is
           it
           to
           bring
           an
           habitual
           Sinner
           to
           Repentance
           !
           It
           is
           not
           Easie
           to
           bring
           him
           to
           any
           due
           and
           serious
           Conviction
           of
           the
           Evil
           of
           his
           doings
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           far
           more
           difficult
           to
           change
           the
           inward
           Disposition
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           to
           alter
           all
           the
           great
           Designs
           and
           Pleasures
           of
           Life
           .
           It
           is
           but
           a
           mean
           Notion
           of
           Repentance
           which
           is
           apt
           to
           prevail
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           though
           it
           implied
           no
           more
           than
           some
           Acts
           of
           Contrition
           for
           greater
           Sins
           ,
           when
           the
           Habit
           and
           Disposition
           remain
           the
           same
           .
           But
           true
           Repentance
           is
           the
           turn
           of
           the
           whole
           Soul
           from
           the
           Love
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Practice
           of
           Sin
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           not
           a
           thing
           to
           be
           done
           easily
           or
           suddenly
           ;
           A
           Sinner
           will
           bear
           a
           great
           many
           Checks
           and
           Reproofs
           of
           Conscience
           before
           he
           will
           part
           with
           his
           beloved
           Sins
           ;
           he
           will
           struggle
           a
           great
           while
           with
           himself
           ;
           and
           endure
           many
           Conflicts
           between
           an
           awaken'd
           Conscience
           and
           rooted
           lnclinations
           before
           the
           Penitent
           Sinner
           can
           assure
           
           himself
           that
           his
           Repentance
           hath
           had
           its
           due
           and
           effectual
           operation
           upon
           him
           .
           For
           we
           see
           here
           nothing
           but
           extremity
           brought
           the
           Prodigal
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           made
           him
           at
           last
           to
           resolve
           
             to
             arise
             and
             go
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           
           As
           Themistocles
           said
           of
           the
           People
           of
           Athens
           ,
           they
           did
           by
           him
           ,
           as
           Men
           commonly
           doe
           by
           a
           great
           Tree
           ,
           they
           run
           to
           it
           for
           shelter
           in
           a
           Storm
           ,
           but
           care
           not
           how
           they
           use
           it
           another
           Time
           ;
           that
           is
           too
           true
           of
           Sinners
           with
           Respect
           to
           God
           ;
           when
           they
           can
           make
           a
           shift
           for
           themselves
           any
           other
           Way
           ,
           they
           despise
           Religion
           ;
           and
           make
           God
           their
           Refuge
           onely
           at
           a
           day
           of
           Extremity
           ,
           but
           not
           their
           Choice
           ,
           when
           their
           Conditions
           please
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           when
           the
           Prodigal
           Son
           had
           so
           slighted
           his
           Father
           ,
           broken
           his
           Commands
           ,
           despised
           the
           advantages
           he
           had
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           was
           so
           hardly
           brought
           to
           think
           of
           returning
           thither
           ,
           how
           came
           he
           now
           to
           be
           so
           incouraged
           in
           his
           Mind
           
             to
             arise
             and
             go
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
          
           and
           confess
           his
           fault
           with
           hopes
           of
           being
           forgiven
           after
           all
           this
           ?
        
         
           We
           find
           no
           other
           Account
           here
           given
           ,
           but
           that
           he
           was
           
             his
             Father
          
           ,
           however
           he
           had
           offended
           him
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           was
           resolved
           he
           would
           
             arise
             and
             go
             to
             his
             Father
          
           ;
           as
           though
           there
           were
           charms
           and
           force
           enough
           in
           that
           word
           to
           answer
           all
           Discouragements
           .
           Which
           being
           an
           Argument
           taken
           from
           the
           Bowels
           of
           Pity
           and
           Compassion
           which
           a
           Father
           hath
           towards
           a
           relenting
           
           Child
           ,
           we
           must
           enquire
           ,
           how
           far
           this
           will
           hold
           with
           Respect
           to
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           so
           infinitely
           above
           all
           the
           fond
           Passions
           of
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           diminution
           to
           his
           Glory
           and
           Majesty
           to
           be
           thought
           like
           to
           Mankind
           ;
           And
           therefore
           
             his
             thoughts
             and
             ways
             are
             said
             to
             be
             as
             far
             above
             ours
             as
             the
             Heavens
             are
             above
             the
             Earth
             ?
          
           
        
         
           To
           clear
           this
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           consider
           ,
           not
           onely
           that
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           doth
           here
           lay
           the
           force
           and
           weight
           of
           the
           Parable
           upon
           the
           tenderness
           of
           a
           Father
           to
           his
           Son
           ;
           but
           that
           he
           elsewhere
           argues
           from
           it
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           as
           to
           convince
           us
           that
           God
           hath
           far
           greater
           Pity
           and
           Compassion
           towards
           Mankind
           when
           they
           make
           due
           Applications
           to
           him
           ,
           than
           Fathers
           can
           have
           towards
           their
           Children
           even
           when
           they
           ask
           for
           necessary
           sustenance
           .
           
           
             What
             Man
             is
             there
             of
             you
             ,
             whom
             if
             his
             Son
             ask
             bread
             ,
             will
             he
             give
             him
             a
             stone
             ?
             Or
             ,
             if
             he
             ask
             a
             fish
             ,
             will
             he
             give
             him
             a
             serpent
             ?
             If
             ye
             then
             being
             evil
             know
             how
             to
             give
             good
             gifts
             unto
             your
             Children
             ,
             How
             much
             more
             shall
             your
             Father
             which
             is
             in
             Heaven
             give
             good
             things
             to
             them
             that
             ask
             him
             ?
          
           There
           have
           been
           Philosophers
           so
           severe
           against
           the
           Passions
           of
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           not
           allow
           any
           Pity
           or
           Commiseration
           towards
           others
           ,
           whatever
           their
           Condition
           or
           Relation
           were
           ,
           but
           onely
           acting
           according
           to
           Reason
           in
           supplying
           their
           Wants
           .
           But
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           doth
           far
           more
           reasonably
           allow
           
           such
           Passions
           in
           Mankind
           as
           dispose
           them
           to
           doe
           good
           to
           others
           ,
           by
           fixing
           such
           an
           impression
           on
           their
           minds
           of
           others
           Misery
           as
           doth
           excite
           them
           to
           doe
           what
           is
           fitting
           for
           their
           Ease
           and
           Support
           .
           And
           Compassion
           is
           not
           ,
           as
           some
           imagine
           ,
           such
           a
           mean
           and
           selfish
           Passion
           ,
           as
           doth
           arise
           onely
           from
           the
           apprehension
           that
           we
           may
           suffer
           the
           same
           things
           our selves
           ,
           which
           we
           pity
           others
           for
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           a
           generous
           Sense
           of
           what
           others
           feel
           joined
           with
           a
           Readiness
           to
           help
           them
           according
           to
           our
           Power
           .
           And
           in
           this
           Sense
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           not
           onely
           allows
           it
           in
           Fathers
           towards
           Children
           ,
           but
           looks
           on
           it
           as
           necessary
           in
           humane
           Nature
           in
           order
           to
           the
           good
           and
           advantage
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           and
           therefore
           himself
           taking
           our
           Nature
           upon
           him
           is
           said
           
             to
             be
             touched
             with
             the
             feeling
             of
             our
             Infirmities
          
           ;
           
           
           
             and
             to
             have
             compassion
             on
             the
             Ignorant
             ,
             and
             on
             them
             that
             are
             out
             of
             the
             Way
             .
          
        
         
           But
           although
           this
           be
           allowable
           in
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           how
           can
           such
           a
           thing
           as
           Compassion
           be
           attributed
           to
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           which
           is
           uncapable
           of
           such
           impressions
           and
           motions
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           subject
           to
           ?
        
         
           And
           yet
           the
           Scripture
           is
           very
           full
           and
           clear
           in
           attributing
           Pity
           and
           Compassion
           to
           Almighty
           God
           with
           Respect
           to
           his
           Creatures
           .
           The
           Psalmist
           saith
           ,
           
           
             The
             Lord
             is
             full
             of
             Compassion
             and
             Mercy
             ;
             long-suffering
             ,
             and
             of
             great
             Goodness
             .
          
           St.
           James
           
           saith
           ,
           
           
             He
             is
             very
             Pitifull
             ,
             and
             of
             tender
             Mercy
             .
          
           And
           in
           that
           wonderfull
           Appearance
           to
           Moses
           ,
           when
           God
           himself
           declared
           his
           own
           Attributes
           ,
           the
           greatest
           part
           consists
           of
           his
           Kindness
           and
           Mercy
           towards
           Mankind
           ;
           
           
             The
             Lord
             God
             ,
             mercifull
             and
             gratious
             ,
             long-suffering
             ,
             and
             abundant
             in
             goodness
             and
             Truth
             ,
             keeping
             mercy
             for
             thousands
             ,
             forgiving
             iniquity
             ,
             transgression
             and
             sin
             .
          
           And
           the
           Psalmist
           useth
           the
           very
           same
           similitude
           of
           a
           Father's
           Pity
           to
           his
           Children
           ,
           
           
             Like
             as
             a
             Father
             pitieth
             his
             Children
             ,
             so
             the
             Lord
             pitieth
             them
             that
             fear
             him
             .
          
           And
           when
           the
           Prophet
           speaks
           of
           God's
           thoughts
           and
           ways
           being
           so
           much
           above
           Man's
           ,
           it
           is
           for
           this
           end
           to
           prove
           thereby
           that
           God
           may
           shew
           more
           pity
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           than
           they
           find
           in
           their
           hearts
           to
           shew
           to
           one
           another
           .
           
             Let
             him
             return
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             he
             will
             have
             mercy
             upon
             him
             ;
             and
             to
             our
             God
             ,
             for
             he
             will
             abundantly
             pardon
             ;
             For
             my
             thoughts
             are
             not
             your
             thoughts
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           But
           setting
           aside
           all
           this
           ,
           the
           whole
           Scheme
           of
           the
           Gospel
           is
           drawn
           upon
           the
           Supposition
           of
           God's
           Pity
           and
           Compassion
           towards
           Penitent
           Sinners
           ;
           which
           is
           the
           Reason
           our
           Saviour
           insists
           so
           much
           on
           the
           Proof
           of
           it
           in
           this
           whole
           Chapter
           .
           Wherein
           we
           not
           onely
           reade
           of
           
             Joy
             in
             Heaven
             at
             the
             Repentance
             of
             a
             Sinner
          
           ;
           
           but
           the
           Compassion
           of
           God
           Almighty
           towards
           a
           Penitent
           Sinner
           is
           set
           forth
           with
           all
           the
           tenderness
           of
           an
           Indulgent
           Father
           running
           
           into
           the
           embraces
           of
           his
           Son
           ,
           when
           he
           saw
           him
           at
           a
           distance
           coming
           towards
           him
           .
        
         
           What
           now
           is
           the
           meaning
           of
           all
           this
           ?
           Are
           we
           to
           conceive
           of
           God
           as
           one
           like
           to
           our selves
           ,
           who
           either
           do
           not
           see
           faults
           in
           those
           we
           love
           ;
           or
           do
           not
           hate
           them
           ,
           as
           we
           should
           do
           ;
           or
           are
           too
           apt
           to
           pass
           them
           over
           ;
           or
           are
           at
           first
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           apt
           to
           be
           angry
           upon
           a
           slight
           provocation
           ,
           and
           then
           as
           easily
           made
           Friends
           upon
           as
           little
           Reason
           as
           we
           were
           made
           Angry
           ?
           But
           none
           of
           these
           things
           ought
           to
           enter
           into
           our
           Minds
           concerning
           God
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           Follies
           of
           Mankind
           .
        
         
           And
           in
           this
           Case
           ,
           if
           we
           will
           form
           in
           our
           Minds
           right
           and
           true
           Conceptions
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           (
           as
           we
           ought
           to
           doe
           )
           we
           must
           have
           a
           great
           Care
           lest
           we
           attribute
           any
           thing
           to
           God
           ,
           which
           looks
           like
           Weakness
           and
           Imperfection
           ,
           as
           the
           Motions
           and
           Changes
           of
           Passions
           do
           ;
           therefore
           to
           understand
           his
           Pity
           and
           Compassion
           ,
           and
           Reconciliation
           to
           Penitent
           Sinners
           ,
           we
           must
           first
           know
           what
           his
           Anger
           and
           Displeasure
           against
           Sinners
           mean.
           
        
         
           Some
           think
           that
           Epicurus
           did
           in
           earnest
           believe
           a
           God
           ,
           
           but
           he
           was
           therefore
           forced
           to
           deny
           Providence
           ,
           because
           he
           could
           not
           conceive
           that
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           World
           could
           be
           managed
           without
           such
           resentments
           as
           were
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           complete
           happiness
           of
           the
           Divne
           Being
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           rather
           chose
           to
           make
           him
           Careless
           
           and
           Easie
           ,
           than
           Active
           and
           liable
           to
           Passion
           .
           The
           Stoicks
           attributed
           to
           God
           all
           that
           was
           Good
           and
           Kind
           and
           Obliging
           ;
           but
           would
           by
           no
           means
           endure
           that
           ever
           he
           should
           be
           said
           to
           be
           Angry
           or
           Displeased
           ;
           which
           Doctrine
           did
           in
           effect
           overthrow
           Providence
           with
           Respect
           to
           Moral
           Actions
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           the
           Epicureans
           .
           For
           if
           God
           did
           not
           regard
           the
           difference
           of
           Mens
           Actions
           ,
           but
           was
           equally
           kind
           to
           them
           whether
           they
           did
           Good
           or
           Evil
           ,
           such
           a
           Providence
           would
           have
           as
           little
           Influence
           on
           Mens
           Lives
           as
           if
           there
           were
           none
           at
           all
           .
           We
           must
           then
           suppose
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           uphold
           Religion
           and
           Morality
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           not
           onely
           that
           there
           is
           a
           Providence
           ,
           but
           that
           God
           hath
           a
           different
           regard
           to
           Men
           according
           to
           the
           Good
           or
           Evil
           of
           their
           Actions
           .
           The
           Regard
           he
           hath
           to
           Men
           for
           being
           Good
           and
           doing
           Good
           is
           called
           his
           Love
           ,
           his
           Kindness
           ,
           his
           Good-will
           ,
           his
           Grace
           and
           Favour
           ;
           that
           which
           he
           hath
           to
           things
           that
           are
           Evil
           is
           called
           his
           Hatred
           ;
           that
           which
           he
           hath
           to
           Persons
           for
           doing
           Evil
           is
           his
           
             Anger
             ,
             Wrath
             ,
             Displeasure
             ,
             Indignation
          
           ;
           according
           to
           the
           different
           Nature
           and
           Circumstances
           of
           their
           Evil
           Actions
           .
        
         
           But
           in
           order
           to
           the
           preventing
           any
           false
           or
           mean
           Apprehensions
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           when
           the
           Passions
           of
           Mankind
           are
           attributed
           to
           it
           ,
           we
           must
           consider
           these
           two
           things
           ;
        
         
         
           (
           1.
           )
           That
           we
           must
           by
           no
           means
           attribute
           to
           God
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           unreasonable
           in
           our Selves
           ;
           such
           are
           all
           irregular
           Motions
           ,
           which
           we
           call
           violent
           Passions
           ,
           arising
           from
           Surprise
           ,
           Mistake
           ,
           Inadvertency
           ,
           Weakness
           ,
           or
           corrupt
           Inclination
           .
           But
           setting
           all
           these
           aside
           ,
           the
           Original
           Passions
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           which
           are
           agreeable
           to
           Reason
           ,
           are
           no
           other
           than
           what
           arise
           from
           an
           Inclination
           to
           what
           we
           judge
           to
           be
           Good
           ,
           and
           an
           Aversion
           from
           what
           we
           apprehend
           to
           be
           Evil
           ;
           which
           holds
           as
           to
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           .
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           That
           there
           is
           an
           observable
           Difference
           in
           the
           very
           Nature
           of
           some
           Passions
           ,
           which
           imply
           a
           Repugnancy
           in
           themselves
           to
           the
           Divine
           Perfections
           ,
           which
           others
           do
           not
           .
           For
           Love
           and
           Kindness
           ,
           and
           Joy
           ,
           and
           Inward
           Satisfaction
           have
           nothing
           in
           them
           supposing
           their
           Object
           Good
           ,
           but
           what
           agrees
           with
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ;
           but
           the
           Passions
           contrary
           to
           these
           ,
           as
           Envy
           ,
           Ill-will
           and
           Revenge
           are
           not
           onely
           Repugnant
           as
           Passions
           ,
           but
           in
           their
           own
           Nature
           ;
           for
           God
           cannot
           Envy
           the
           Good
           of
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           nor
           bear
           Ill-will
           to
           them
           as
           such
           ,
           nor
           take
           Pleasure
           in
           their
           Torments
           .
           And
           of
           this
           Nature
           Anger
           properly
           taken
           is
           ,
           as
           it
           doth
           imply
           a
           present
           Disorder
           and
           Disturbance
           within
           ,
           from
           the
           Apprehension
           of
           some
           Injury
           done
           or
           intended
           ,
           with
           a
           Desire
           of
           Revenge
           on
           those
           who
           doe
           it
           ;
           all
           which
           is
           inconsistent
           with
           
           the
           necessary
           Perfections
           of
           God
           ;
           for
           they
           argue
           Meanness
           ,
           Imperfection
           and
           Mutability
           .
        
         
           We
           must
           therefore
           fix
           on
           such
           a
           Notion
           of
           Anger
           as
           becomes
           the
           Almighty
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           ;
           and
           that
           lies
           in
           ,
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           A
           Displeasure
           against
           the
           Sinner
           on
           the
           account
           of
           his
           Sins
           ;
           For
           God
           cannot
           have
           any
           Complacency
           in
           those
           who
           displease
           him
           ,
           as
           all
           Sinners
           do
           ,
           whether
           they
           design
           it
           or
           not
           .
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           A
           Will
           to
           Punish
           Sinners
           according
           to
           their
           demerits
           ;
           which
           being
           according
           to
           the
           Rules
           of
           Wisdom
           and
           Righteous
           Government
           ,
           cannot
           be
           said
           to
           argue
           an
           indecent
           Passion
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           The
           Actual
           Execution
           of
           his
           Justice
           upon
           great
           Provocations
           .
           And
           so
           God
           is
           said
           to
           be
           angry
           when
           he
           punishes
           ;
           especially
           when
           he
           doeth
           it
           suddenly
           and
           severely
           ;
           As
           Men
           in
           their
           Passion
           are
           wont
           to
           doe
           .
           But
           whatever
           God
           doeth
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           he
           doth
           it
           with
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Temper
           of
           a
           Judge
           ,
           and
           not
           with
           the
           Fury
           or
           Passion
           of
           an
           Angry
           Being
           .
        
         
           And
           there
           is
           nothing
           in
           all
           this
           unbecoming
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           but
           very
           agreeable
           thereto
           .
           And
           this
           is
           all
           which
           in
           strictness
           of
           Reason
           is
           
           understood
           by
           God's
           being
           Angry
           with
           Mankind
           .
           For
           we
           must
           never
           imagine
           that
           God
           acts
           according
           to
           sudden
           heats
           and
           Passions
           ;
           but
           whatever
           he
           doth
           is
           according
           to
           the
           Counsels
           of
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           .
        
         
           I
           do
           not
           deny
           that
           the
           Scripture
           doth
           represent
           Anger
           in
           God
           as
           if
           it
           were
           a
           Passion
           raised
           upon
           great
           Provocation
           ,
           and
           capable
           of
           being
           laid
           by
           Submission
           and
           true
           Repentance
           .
           Thence
           we
           read
           ,
           of
           
             God's
             Wrath
             waxing
             hot
          
           ,
           
           
             of
             his
             Anger
             kindling
             against
             his
             People
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             his
             turning
             away
             from
             his
             fierce
             Anger
             ,
          
           and
           many
           such
           Expressions
           ;
           but
           so
           we
           read
           of
           the
           Fire
           of
           his
           Indignation
           ,
           the
           Sword
           of
           his
           Wrath
           ,
           the
           
             Stretching
             forth
             of
             his
             Hand
          
           ;
           which
           all
           grant
           are
           not
           to
           be
           literally
           understood
           .
           lf
           then
           in
           these
           Expressions
           ,
           the
           Perfections
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           are
           to
           be
           our
           Rule
           ,
           according
           to
           which
           we
           must
           interpret
           them
           ,
           because
           the
           literal
           sense
           implies
           an
           incongruity
           to
           the
           Divine
           Perfections
           which
           are
           all
           wholly
           Spiritual
           ;
           then
           from
           the
           same
           Reason
           we
           must
           remove
           all
           Perturbations
           from
           it
           which
           are
           as
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           absolute
           Perfection
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           Eyes
           and
           Ears
           and
           Hands
           and
           Feet
           are
           ,
           although
           they
           are
           all
           mention'd
           in
           Scripture
           .
        
         
           From
           whence
           we
           justly
           infer
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           wonderfull
           Condescention
           to
           the
           ordinary
           Capacities
           and
           common
           Apprehensions
           of
           Mankind
           
           in
           the
           Language
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           which
           makes
           deeper
           impressions
           on
           meaner
           understandings
           ,
           and
           those
           who
           are
           ▪
           of
           finer
           thoughts
           will
           see
           Cause
           to
           attribute
           onely
           such
           a
           Sense
           of
           things
           relating
           to
           God
           ,
           as
           is
           consistent
           with
           his
           Infinite
           and
           Divine
           Perfections
           .
        
         
           But
           what
           now
           shall
           we
           say
           to
           this
           Tenderness
           and
           Compassion
           of
           God
           towards
           Penitent
           Sinners
           ?
           Can
           he
           be
           moved
           by
           our
           Trouble
           and
           Sorrow
           and
           Acts
           of
           Contrition
           for
           our
           Sins
           ?
           If
           we
           be
           Righteous
           what
           doth
           it
           profit
           the
           Almighty
           ?
           And
           if
           we
           be
           Evil
           ,
           how
           can
           it
           hurt
           him
           ?
           And
           if
           when
           we
           have
           Sinned
           ,
           we
           Repent
           ,
           we
           doe
           no
           more
           than
           is
           fitting
           for
           us
           ;
           but
           why
           should
           we
           imagine
           the
           Great
           and
           Wise
           God
           should
           have
           Compassion
           upon
           us
           ,
           when
           we
           become
           sensible
           of
           our
           own
           Folly
           ?
           For
           when
           we
           sin
           against
           God
           ,
           wilfully
           ,
           deliberately
           ,
           knowingly
           ,
           habitually
           ,
           we
           doe
           what
           lies
           in
           us
           to
           provoke
           him
           to
           Wrath
           and
           Indignation
           against
           us
           ;
           we
           reject
           his
           Wise
           Government
           ,
           we
           slight
           his
           righteous
           Laws
           ,
           we
           prefer
           the
           pleasing
           our
           corrupt
           Inclinations
           and
           sensual
           Lusts
           before
           our
           Heavenly
           Father
           .
           And
           what
           can
           be
           more
           provoking
           to
           him
           than
           to
           be
           so
           despised
           by
           one
           who
           had
           his
           Being
           and
           all
           the
           Comforts
           of
           Life
           from
           him
           ?
        
         
         
           Suppose
           now
           such
           a
           Disobedient
           ,
           Rebellious
           Son
           ,
           as
           here
           in
           the
           Parable
           ,
           be
           made
           sensible
           of
           his
           folly
           ,
           is
           his
           Father
           bound
           to
           receive
           him
           ?
           Was
           it
           not
           his
           own
           choice
           to
           go
           from
           him
           ?
           If
           he
           hath
           suffered
           by
           his
           Folly
           ,
           he
           may
           thank
           himself
           for
           it
           ;
           and
           if
           his
           Father
           lets
           him
           alone
           in
           it
           ,
           he
           hath
           no
           Cause
           to
           Complain
           .
        
         
           But
           such
           was
           the
           tenderness
           of
           the
           Father
           towards
           his
           Repenting
           Son
           ,
           that
           he
           shew'd
           the
           greatest
           Compassion
           imaginable
           ;
           for
           he
           did
           not
           stay
           at
           home
           expecting
           his
           Son
           's
           solemn
           submission
           before
           his
           Family
           ,
           but
           
             he
             ran
             towards
             him
             ,
             and
             fell
             upon
             his
             Neck
             ,
             and
             kissed
             him
             .
          
        
         
           What
           Conceptions
           now
           ought
           we
           to
           have
           of
           God's
           Compassion
           towards
           Penitent
           Sinners
           answerable
           to
           all
           this
           ?
           This
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           clear
           in
           these
           Particulars
           .
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           That
           God's
           hatred
           is
           not
           primarily
           against
           Persons
           who
           are
           his
           Creatures
           ;
           but
           against
           that
           which
           is
           Evil
           ,
           which
           is
           none
           of
           his
           making
           ;
           and
           against
           Persons
           onely
           so
           far
           as
           they
           are
           corrupted
           with
           Evil.
           
             Thou
             lovest
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             hatest
             wickedness
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Psalmist
           .
           
           God
           hates
           nothing
           for
           its
           own
           sake
           ,
           but
           Sin
           ;
           and
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           that
           
             he
             hates
             all
             Workers
             of
             Iniquity
             .
          
        
         
         
           (
           2.
           )
           There
           may
           be
           Good-will
           towards
           the
           Person
           of
           a
           Sinner
           at
           the
           same
           time
           when
           God
           discovers
           the
           hatred
           of
           his
           Sins
           .
           I
           do
           not
           say
           ,
           God
           takes
           any
           Pleasure
           in
           him
           while
           he
           goes
           on
           in
           Sin
           ,
           for
           that
           is
           against
           the
           Eternal
           Rules
           of
           Righteousness
           in
           God
           ;
           but
           that
           he
           may
           have
           so
           much
           Good-will
           towards
           him
           ,
           as
           to
           design
           to
           reduce
           him
           from
           his
           Evil
           Ways
           .
           And
           this
           every
           Father
           finds
           in
           himself
           towards
           a
           disobedient
           Son
           ;
           while
           he
           hates
           his
           evil
           Courses
           ,
           yet
           he
           would
           make
           use
           of
           the
           best
           Methods
           to
           bring
           him
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           Duty
           .
           And
           upon
           this
           is
           grounded
           that
           
             Love
             and
             Kindness
             of
             God
             towards
             Mankind
             ,
          
           
           in
           sending
           his
           Son
           to
           be
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Promises
           and
           Invitations
           which
           are
           made
           to
           Sinners
           in
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           It
           is
           very
           agreeable
           to
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           for
           God
           to
           shew
           himself
           full
           of
           Pity
           and
           Compassion
           towards
           Penitent
           Sinners
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           so
           as
           to
           forgive
           them
           their
           former
           Sins
           ,
           and
           to
           receive
           them
           into
           his
           Favour
           .
           For
           Pity
           and
           Compassion
           in
           God
           is
           to
           be
           judged
           ,
           not
           according
           to
           the
           inward
           Motions
           we
           find
           in
           our selves
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           these
           Two
           things
           .
        
         
         
           (
           1.
           )
           A
           readiness
           to
           doe
           Good
           to
           his
           Creatures
           according
           to
           their
           Necessities
           .
           Which
           being
           in
           general
           ,
           is
           his
           Bounty
           and
           Goodness
           ;
           but
           considered
           with
           Respect
           to
           the
           Persons
           of
           Sinners
           ,
           it
           is
           his
           Clemency
           ,
           or
           readiness
           to
           forgive
           ;
           and
           with
           Respect
           to
           the
           Punishment
           they
           deserve
           by
           their
           Sins
           ,
           it
           is
           his
           Mercy
           and
           Pity
           :
           Which
           in
           us
           is
           
             Aegritudo
             ex
             Miseriâ
             alterius
          
           ,
           and
           therefore
           called
           Misericordia
           ,
           because
           the
           Heart
           is
           touched
           with
           the
           Sense
           of
           another's
           Misery
           ;
           but
           we
           are
           not
           so
           to
           apprehend
           it
           in
           God
           ;
           but
           that
           such
           is
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           towards
           Repenting
           Sinners
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           as
           willing
           to
           shew
           Mercy
           as
           they
           are
           to
           Repent
           .
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           God's
           Pity
           and
           Compassion
           lies
           in
           the
           proper
           Effects
           of
           it
           ;
           which
           here
           in
           the
           Case
           of
           the
           Prodigal
           were
           ,
           passing
           by
           his
           former
           Extravagances
           ,
           and
           receiving
           him
           into
           as
           much
           Favour
           as
           if
           he
           had
           not
           gone
           astray
           .
           
           
             This
             is
             my
             Son
             was
             dead
             ,
             and
             is
             alive
             again
             ;
             was
             lost
             ,
             and
             is
             found
             .
          
           Those
           who
           think
           ,
           they
           stand
           not
           in
           need
           of
           so
           much
           Pardoning
           Mercy
           as
           others
           do
           ,
           are
           apt
           to
           repine
           at
           the
           Favour
           shew'd
           to
           great
           Sinners
           when
           they
           Repent
           ;
           And
           therefore
           the
           Elder
           Brother
           could
           not
           bear
           the
           expressing
           so
           much
           kindness
           towards
           such
           a
           disobedient
           Son
           ,
           though
           
           now
           a
           Penitent
           .
           But
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           disagreeing
           to
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           in
           such
           Compassion
           towards
           Penitent
           Sinners
           ,
           will
           more
           fully
           appear
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           ,
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           That
           God
           is
           not
           bound
           to
           deal
           with
           Sinners
           according
           to
           the
           utmost
           Rigour
           and
           Severity
           of
           his
           Justice
           .
           Because
           he
           is
           under
           no
           fatal
           Necessity
           ;
           no
           Superiour
           Law
           ;
           and
           therefore
           may
           act
           freely
           in
           the
           forgiving
           Offenders
           as
           seems
           best
           to
           his
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           .
           The
           whole
           Race
           of
           Mankind
           is
           a
           perpetual
           Evidence
           that
           God
           doth
           not
           Act
           according
           to
           the
           Strictness
           of
           his
           Justice
           ,
           for
           
             if
             he
             had
             dealt
             with
             them
             after
             their
             Sins
             ,
             or
             rewarded
             them
             according
             to
             their
             Iniquities
             ;
             their
             Spirits
             would
             have
             failed
             before
             him
             ,
             and
             the
             Souls
             which
             he
             had
             made
          
           ;
           they
           had
           been
           long
           since
           destroy'd
           from
           the
           face
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           not
           suffer'd
           to
           continue
           in
           their
           Provocations
           .
           But
           God
           hath
           not
           onely
           forborn
           Sinners
           long
           when
           he
           might
           justly
           have
           punished
           them
           ;
           but
           he
           gives
           them
           many
           real
           Blessings
           and
           Comforts
           of
           Life
           ,
           freely
           and
           bountifully
           .
           Now
           if
           God
           deal
           so
           Mercifully
           with
           Sinners
           while
           they
           continue
           such
           ,
           is
           there
           not
           greater
           Reason
           to
           suppose
           he
           will
           be
           far
           more
           so
           ,
           when
           they
           cease
           to
           be
           such
           ?
        
         
         
           (
           2.
           )
           A
           Penitent
           Sinner
           doth
           what
           in
           him
           lies
           to
           vindicate
           God's
           Honour
           .
           I
           do
           not
           say
           ,
           he
           can
           make
           satisfaction
           to
           Divine
           Justice
           ;
           for
           that
           is
           impossible
           for
           him
           to
           doe
           ;
           and
           God
           hath
           provided
           for
           that
           by
           his
           own
           Son
           ,
           whom
           he
           hath
           made
           
             a
             Propitiation
             for
             the
             Sins
             of
             the
             World.
          
           But
           a
           true
           Penitent
           takes
           all
           the
           Shame
           and
           Dishonour
           to
           himself
           ;
           he
           clears
           the
           Justice
           of
           God's
           Government
           ,
           and
           the
           Equity
           of
           his
           Laws
           ,
           and
           owns
           himself
           guilty
           of
           unspeakable
           Folly
           in
           his
           Disobedience
           .
           
             O
             how
             justly
             ,
             saith
             he
             ,
             might
             God
             have
             taken
             me
             away
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             my
             Sins
             ,
             when
             my
             Conscience
             checked
             me
             for
             my
             Sins
             ,
             and
             yet
             I
             had
             no
             heart
             to
             repent
             of
             them
             !
             When
             I
             could
             not
             but
             see
             my
             danger
             ,
             and
             yet
             was
             unwilling
             to
             come
             out
             of
             it
             .
             I
             can
             never
             be
             sufficiently
             thankfull
             for
             so
             great
             a
             Mercy
             as
             his
             bringing
             me
             to
             my Self
             hath
             been
             ;
             I
             had
             gon
             on
             in
             the
             same
             secure
             ,
             stupid
             ,
             senseless
             condition
             ,
             that
             others
             lie
             in
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             not
             throughly
             awaken'd
             me
             ,
             and
             roused
             me
             out
             of
             my
             Impenitent
             State.
             How
             dreadfull
             had
             my
             Condition
             for
             ever
             been
             ,
             if
             my
             first
             awakening
             had
             been
             in
             the
             Flames
             of
             Hell
             ?
             Nothing
             but
             Infinite
             Goodness
             and
             Patience
             would
             have
             waited
             so
             long
             for
             the
             Repentance
             of
             such
             an
             Offender
             
             as
             I
             have
             been
             .
             I
             have
             sinned
             so
             often
             ,
             that
             I
             am
             ashamed
             to
             think
             of
             the
             Number
             of
             my
             Transgressions
             ;
             so
             deeply
             ,
             that
             I
             am
             confounded
             at
             the
             thoughts
             of
             them
             ;
             so
             foolishly
             ,
             that
             I
             am
             unworthy
             to
             be
             called
             thy
             Son
             ,
             who
             have
             acted
             so
             unlike
             thy
             Children
             (
             so
             the
             Prodigal
             Son
             here
             speaks
             to
             his
             Father
             )
             And
             if
             thou
             wouldst
             admit
             me
             but
             to
             the
             meanest
             Condition
             of
             thy
             Servants
             ,
             I
             shall
             ever
             esteem
             it
             as
             the
             greatest
             privilege
             of
             my
             Life
             ,
             and
             endeavour
             to
             serve
             Thee
             for
             the
             future
             ,
             though
             in
             the
             lowest
             Capacity
             .
          
           Thus
           the
           Repenting
           Prodigal
           goes
           on
           ,
           v.
           19.
           
           And
           in
           a
           sutable
           manner
           every
           true
           Penitent
           behaves
           himself
           towards
           God
           with
           great
           Humility
           ,
           and
           a
           deep
           Sense
           of
           his
           own
           unworthiness
           ;
           and
           is
           thereby
           rendred
           more
           capable
           of
           Divine
           favour
           .
           
           
             For
             God
             resisteth
             the
             proud
             ,
             but
             giveth
             grace
             to
             the
             humble
             .
          
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           very
           agreeable
           to
           Infinite
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           to
           shew
           pity
           towards
           a
           truly
           Humble
           and
           Penitent
           Sinner
           ;
           
           
             For
             a
             broken
             and
             contrite
             heart
             he
             will
             not
             despise
             .
          
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           If
           God
           were
           not
           so
           full
           of
           Compassion
           to
           Penitent
           Sinners
           ,
           there
           would
           have
           been
           no
           lncouragement
           for
           Sinners
           to
           Repent
           ;
           but
           they
           must
           have
           sunk
           into
           everlasting
           Despair
           .
           For
           if
           God
           should
           forgive
           none
           that
           sin
           ,
           then
           all
           Mankind
           
           must
           be
           condemned
           to
           Eternal
           Misery
           ;
           for
           
             all
             have
             sinned
          
           ;
           
           and
           
             there
             is
             not
             a
             Just
             Man
             upon
             Earth
             who
             sinneth
             not
          
           ;
           and
           so
           the
           best
           and
           worst
           ,
           and
           all
           sorts
           of
           Sinners
           must
           here
           suffer
           together
           ;
           which
           would
           have
           taken
           away
           all
           the
           Notion
           of
           any
           such
           thing
           as
           Mercy
           and
           Clemency
           in
           God
           towards
           Mankind
           .
           But
           if
           we
           set
           bounds
           to
           it
           as
           to
           some
           particular
           kinds
           and
           degrees
           of
           sinning
           ;
           we
           limit
           that
           which
           is
           Infinite
           ;
           we
           determine
           what
           we
           know
           not
           ,
           viz.
           how
           far
           God's
           Mercy
           doth
           extend
           ;
           we
           destroy
           the
           Power
           of
           Divine
           Grace
           in
           Changing
           and
           Reforming
           the
           Worst
           of
           Men.
           But
           the
           Scripture
           hath
           recorded
           some
           remarkable
           Instances
           of
           great
           Sinners
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           great
           Penitents
           ,
           and
           upon
           that
           have
           been
           pardon'd
           (
           such
           as
           Manasses
           ,
           and
           some
           others
           )
           that
           no
           Penitent
           Sinner
           might
           be
           discouraged
           in
           the
           Work
           of
           Repentance
           .
           For
           a
           True
           Penitent
           searching
           to
           the
           bottom
           ,
           and
           setting
           all
           his
           Sins
           before
           him
           ,
           with
           their
           several
           Aggravations
           ,
           can
           be
           kept
           from
           Despair
           by
           nothing
           less
           than
           the
           Infinite
           Mercy
           of
           God
           to
           those
           who
           truly
           Repent
           .
        
         
           (
           4.
           )
           Because
           there
           is
           nothing
           so
           provoking
           in
           Sin
           ,
           as
           obstinate
           Impenitency
           ,
           and
           Continuance
           in
           it
           .
        
         
         
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           God
           hates
           all
           Sin
           for
           its
           own
           Sake
           ;
           but
           not
           all
           equally
           ;
           some
           Sins
           being
           of
           a
           higher
           Nature
           than
           others
           are
           ;
           being
           against
           plainer
           Light
           ,
           stronger
           Convictions
           ,
           more
           easie
           Commands
           ,
           stricter
           Obligations
           than
           others
           are
           ;
           but
           yet
           it
           is
           the
           Temper
           of
           a
           Sinner's
           Mind
           ,
           which
           is
           most
           provoking
           ,
           when
           Sins
           are
           committed
           not
           through
           Infirmity
           ,
           or
           sudden
           surprise
           ,
           or
           a
           violent
           Temptation
           ;
           but
           habitually
           ,
           knowingly
           ,
           wilfully
           ;
           especially
           when
           they
           are
           done
           in
           Contempt
           of
           God
           and
           his
           Laws
           ,
           and
           with
           an
           obstinate
           Resolution
           to
           continue
           in
           the
           Practice
           of
           them
           .
           This
           is
           so
           provoking
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           the
           chief
           Reason
           of
           the
           severe
           Punishments
           of
           Sinners
           in
           another
           World
           is
           taken
           from
           thence
           ;
           because
           God
           hates
           obstinate
           and
           impenitent
           Sinners
           .
           
           
             And
             thus
             he
             will
             by
             no
             means
             acquit
             the
             Guilty
             .
             There
             is
             a
             Sin
             unto
             death
             ,
          
           saith
           St.
           John
           ,
           
           
             and
             there
             is
             a
             Sin
             not
             unto
             death
             .
          
           There
           is
           a
           Sin
           unto
           death
           ,
           which
           Christ
           hath
           said
           he
           will
           never
           pardon
           ;
           
           and
           that
           is
           
             blasphemy
             against
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ;
           a
           Sin
           which
           none
           who
           do
           truly
           own
           Christianity
           ,
           are
           capable
           of
           committing
           .
        
         
           But
           is
           there
           then
           no
           
             Sin
             unto
             death
          
           to
           them
           ?
           Yes
           ,
           it
           is
           possible
           for
           Men
           who
           have
           clear
           Convictions
           in
           their
           minds
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           act
           so
           plainly
           ,
           and
           wilfully
           ,
           and
           directly
           against
           it
           ,
           as
           either
           to
           provoke
           God
           to
           take
           them
           
           away
           by
           an
           extraordinary
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           is
           properly
           
             a
             Sin
             unto
             death
          
           ;
           or
           to
           withdraw
           his
           Grace
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           leave
           them
           to
           the
           hardness
           of
           their
           own
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           becomes
           a
           Sin
           unto
           a
           Spiritual
           death
           .
           But
           besides
           these
           Cases
           ;
           Every
           Wilfull
           Sinner
           who
           adds
           Impenitency
           to
           his
           Sin
           ,
           commits
           
             the
             Sin
             unto
             death
          
           ;
           because
           there
           is
           no
           other
           Condition
           of
           Pardon
           allow'd
           by
           the
           Gospel
           without
           True
           Repentance
           .
        
         
           How
           infinite
           is
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           that
           excludes
           no
           Sinners
           from
           the
           Hopes
           of
           Pardon
           who
           have
           a
           heart
           to
           repent
           sincerely
           of
           their
           Sins
           !
           And
           how
           just
           is
           God
           in
           the
           final
           Punishment
           of
           those
           Sinners
           ,
           who
           still
           go
           on
           in
           their
           Sins
           ,
           and
           refuse
           to
           Repent
           ;
           after
           all
           the
           Invitations
           and
           Incouragements
           which
           are
           given
           them
           to
           that
           End
           !
           Can
           we
           in
           Reason
           suppose
           that
           God
           should
           stoop
           lower
           towards
           Sinners
           ,
           than
           to
           offer
           them
           pardon
           of
           former
           Sins
           ,
           if
           they
           do
           Repent
           ;
           and
           to
           tell
           them
           they
           must
           Expect
           no
           Mercy
           in
           another
           World
           if
           they
           do
           not
           Repent
           ?
        
         
           But
           suppose
           we
           are
           come
           thus
           far
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           convinced
           we
           must
           Repent
           ,
           what
           course
           and
           method
           must
           we
           take
           in
           order
           to
           it
           ?
           Of
           this
           briefly
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           conclude
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           I
           know
           no
           better
           than
           to
           follow
           the
           Example
           of
           the
           Prodigal
           Son
           here
           :
           and
           in
           the
           
           first
           place
           to
           form
           a
           present
           ,
           sincere
           ,
           fixed
           and
           peremptory
           Resolution
           of
           doing
           it
           ;
           
             I
             will
             arise
             and
             go
             to
             my
             Father
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           If
           we
           suffer
           Convictions
           to
           cool
           upon
           our
           Minds
           ,
           the
           force
           and
           spirit
           of
           them
           will
           soon
           be
           gone
           .
           It
           hath
           been
           of
           late
           observed
           by
           the
           strictest
           Enquirers
           into
           Nature
           ,
           that
           the
           beginnings
           of
           Life
           are
           very
           small
           ,
           and
           hardly
           discernible
           .
           It
           is
           but
           as
           a
           spark
           that
           appears
           ,
           
           and
           may
           easily
           be
           extinguished
           ;
           but
           if
           it
           be
           incouraged
           by
           a
           continual
           heat
           ,
           a
           wonderfull
           Alteration
           soon
           follows
           ,
           and
           the
           distinct
           parts
           begin
           to
           be
           formed
           ;
           the
           first
           which
           is
           discerned
           is
           the
           Eye
           ,
           but
           the
           Fountain
           of
           Life
           is
           in
           the
           Heart
           ;
           and
           when
           the
           course
           of
           the
           Bloud
           is
           there
           setled
           ,
           the
           other
           Parts
           come
           to
           their
           due
           formation
           with
           greater
           quickness
           .
           This
           may
           be
           a
           Representation
           of
           the
           first
           Beginnings
           of
           Spiritual
           Life
           ,
           that
           which
           answers
           to
           the
           Eye
           is
           the
           Conviction
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           where
           the
           inward
           Change
           first
           appears
           ;
           that
           which
           answers
           to
           the
           Heart
           is
           Resolution
           ,
           and
           when
           that
           is
           fixed
           ,
           a
           mighty
           Reformation
           will
           soon
           follow
           .
           But
           Spiritual
           Life
           as
           well
           as
           Natural
           is
           in
           its
           first
           beginnings
           a
           very
           nice
           and
           tender
           thing
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           easily
           stopt
           ,
           and
           very
           hardly
           recovered
           :
           It
           is
           therefore
           of
           very
           great
           concernment
           to
           keep
           up
           the
           Warmth
           of
           our
           first
           Resolutions
           ,
           and
           to
           improve
           them
           into
           a
           
           present
           Practice
           agreeable
           thereto
           ;
           as
           the
           Prodigal
           Son
           here
           did
           ,
           who
           when
           he
           had
           Resolved
           upon
           it
           ,
           did
           accordingly
           
             arise
             and
             go
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
          
           v.
           20.
           
        
         
           I
           do
           not
           think
           there
           are
           many
           Persons
           in
           the
           World
           who
           have
           Convictions
           upon
           their
           Minds
           of
           the
           Evil
           of
           their
           Ways
           ;
           but
           do
           Resolve
           at
           one
           time
           or
           other
           before
           they
           die
           to
           Repent
           of
           their
           Sins
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           their
           Peace
           with
           God.
           But
           alas
           !
           these
           are
           
             Ova
             subventanea
          
           ,
           they
           make
           a
           fair
           appearance
           ,
           but
           there
           is
           no
           principle
           of
           Life
           in
           them
           ;
           or
           as
           St.
           Jude
           expresses
           it
           ,
           
           
             they
             are
             Clouds
             without
             Water
          
           ;
           of
           no
           Consistency
           ,
           but
           
             carried
             about
             with
             winds
          
           ;
           hurried
           to
           and
           fro
           with
           the
           force
           and
           power
           of
           Temptations
           ;
           and
           then
           their
           Resolutions
           are
           like
           
             the
             Vapours
          
           St.
           James
           speaks
           of
           ,
           
           
             which
             appear
             for
             a
             little
             Time
             ,
             and
             then
             vanish
             away
             .
             Trees
             they
             are
             without
             fruit
             ,
          
           as
           St.
           Jude
           goes
           on
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ;
           not
           that
           make
           no
           shew
           or
           appearance
           of
           Fruit
           ;
           but
           it
           hath
           no
           such
           firmness
           and
           substance
           in
           it
           as
           to
           endure
           the
           nipping
           Frosts
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           drops
           off
           ,
           and
           withers
           away
           .
           Just
           such
           are
           the
           effects
           of
           faint
           and
           imperfect
           Resolutions
           ,
           they
           never
           hold
           out
           long
           ,
           and
           onely
           aggravate
           the
           Sins
           committed
           after
           them
           .
           For
           every
           such
           Sin
           is
           a
           plain
           sin
           against
           Conscience
           ;
           or
           else
           they
           would
           never
           have
           made
           any
           Resolution
           against
           it
           .
           And
           those
           who
           continue
           to
           sin
           
           after
           Resolutions
           against
           their
           Sins
           ,
           not
           onely
           lose
           all
           the
           Peace
           and
           Comfort
           of
           their
           Minds
           ,
           but
           make
           it
           much
           harder
           for
           them
           ,
           either
           to
           make
           or
           trust
           their
           Resolutions
           again
           ,
           and
           consequently
           to
           be
           satisfied
           of
           the
           Sincerity
           of
           their
           Repentance
           .
        
         
           If
           we
           would
           then
           lay
           a
           sure
           Foundation
           for
           the
           Satisfaction
           of
           our
           Minds
           in
           a
           matter
           of
           such
           unconceivable
           Moment
           as
           the
           Truth
           of
           our
           Repentance
           is
           ,
           let
           us
           call
           our Selves
           to
           an
           Account
           as
           to
           this
           matter
           of
           the
           firm
           Purpose
           and
           Resolution
           of
           our
           Minds
           .
           Have
           we
           strictly
           examin'd
           our Selves
           as
           to
           our
           particular
           Sins
           ?
           For
           there
           is
           no
           Age
           ,
           no
           Imployment
           ,
           no
           Condition
           of
           Life
           but
           hath
           its
           Temptations
           belonging
           to
           it
           ;
           which
           require
           not
           onely
           our
           Care
           and
           Consideration
           ,
           but
           Resolution
           to
           keep
           us
           from
           them
           .
           But
           suppose
           we
           have
           been
           overcome
           by
           
             the
             Sin
             which
             doth
             so
             easily
             beset
             us
          
           ;
           the
           Work
           is
           harder
           to
           recover
           the
           Ground
           we
           have
           lost
           ,
           than
           at
           first
           to
           maintain
           it
           ;
           but
           if
           we
           have
           sinned
           ,
           we
           must
           Repent
           ;
           and
           the
           sooner
           the
           better
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           not
           to
           be
           done
           without
           awakening
           the
           drousie
           and
           benummed
           Faculties
           of
           our
           Minds
           ,
           and
           exercising
           the
           secret
           and
           hidden
           Powers
           therein
           .
           Not
           as
           though
           this
           were
           to
           be
           done
           without
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           preventing
           and
           assisting
           us
           ;
           but
           because
           
             God
             worketh
             in
             us
             to
             will
             and
             to
             doe
             of
             his
             
             good
             Pleasure
             ,
          
           we
           ought
           
             to
             Work
             out
             our
             own
             Salvation
             with
             Fear
             and
             Trembling
             .
          
        
         
           Let
           us
           then
           trifle
           no
           longer
           in
           a
           Work
           we
           can
           never
           doe
           too
           well
           ,
           nor
           too
           soon
           ;
           nor
           go
           about
           it
           with
           too
           much
           Resolution
           .
           It
           is
           the
           want
           of
           this
           ,
           which
           ruins
           such
           a
           Number
           of
           those
           who
           would
           fain
           go
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           but
           have
           not
           Courage
           and
           Resolution
           enough
           ,
           to
           own
           their
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           to
           break
           off
           their
           former
           Sins
           :
           They
           are
           half
           Penitents
           ;
           they
           are
           inwardly
           troubled
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           wish
           themselves
           able
           to
           withstand
           the
           next
           Temptation
           ;
           but
           when
           it
           comes
           ,
           they
           yield
           and
           suffer
           themselves
           to
           be
           drawn
           away
           ,
           
           
             as
             a
             bird
             hasteth
             to
             the
             snare
             ,
             and
             knoweth
             not
             that
             it
             is
             for
             his
             Life
             .
          
           Now
           in
           such
           Cases
           ,
           Resolution
           is
           not
           onely
           a
           convenient
           and
           proper
           thing
           ;
           but
           a
           very
           Wise
           thing
           .
           For
           ,
           when
           once
           a
           Resolution
           is
           found
           to
           be
           serious
           ,
           and
           in
           good
           earnest
           ,
           the
           former
           Companions
           in
           Wickedness
           will
           leave
           off
           to
           solicit
           ;
           and
           if
           once
           a
           Penitent
           Sinner
           can
           endure
           to
           be
           despised
           ,
           and
           exposed
           for
           a
           time
           by
           Evil
           Men
           for
           owning
           his
           Repentance
           ,
           he
           will
           find
           the
           other
           parts
           of
           his
           Change
           grow
           more
           easie
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           the
           Devil's
           Instruments
           in
           Tempting
           will
           be
           like
           himself
           ;
           
             i.
             e.
          
           they
           will
           give
           over
           Tempting
           when
           they
           see
           no
           hopes
           to
           prevail
           .
           And
           let
           no
           Men
           ever
           complain
           that
           they
           want
           Power
           to
           break
           off
           their
           former
           Sins
           ,
           till
           
           they
           have
           tried
           what
           the
           strength
           of
           a
           Vigorous
           Resolution
           will
           doe
           .
           But
           because
           we
           have
           always
           Reason
           to
           suspect
           our selves
           ,
           let
           us
           make
           our
           Devout
           Applications
           to
           Almighty
           God
           to
           give
           us
           the
           Assistence
           of
           his
           Grace
           through
           the
           onely
           Mediation
           of
           his
           Son
           
             Jesus
             Christ.
             To
             whom
          
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A61618-e140
           
             Malac.
             1.6
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             12.9
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Aelian
             .
             
               var
               ,
               hist.
               l.
            
             9.
             c.
             18.
             
          
           
             Is.
             55.8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             Matt.
             7.9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             4.15
             .
          
           
             5.2
             .
          
           
             Ps.
             103
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             5.11
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             3●
             .
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             103.13
             .
          
           
             Is.
             55.7
             .
          
           
             v.
             7.10
             .
          
           
             Lact.
             
               de
               Ira
               Dei.
               c.
            
             4.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             32.10
             .
          
           
             Is.
             5.26
             .
             Jon.
             3.9
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             45.7
             .
          
           
             Tit.
             3.4
             .
          
           
             v.
             24.32
             .
          
           
             Jam.
             4.6
             .
          
           
             Ps.
             51.17
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             3.23
             .
             Eccl.
             7.20
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             34.7
             .
          
           
             1
             John
             5.16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             Matt.
             12.32
             .
          
           
             Harv
             .
             Exerc
             .
             16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             Jud.
             v.
             12.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             4.14
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             7.23
             .