their_o refuge_n only_o at_o a_o day_n of_o extremity_n but_o not_o their_o choice_n when_o their_o condition_n please_v they_o but_o when_o the_o prodigal_a son_n have_v so_o slight_v his_o father_n break_v his_o command_n despise_v the_o advantage_n he_o have_v at_o home_n and_o be_v so_o hardly_o bring_v to_o think_v of_o return_v thither_o how_o come_v he_o now_o to_o be_v so_o encourage_v in_o his_o mind_n to_o arise_v and_o go_v to_o his_o father_n and_o confess_v his_o fault_n with_o hope_n of_o be_v forgive_v after_o all_o this_o we_o find_v no_o other_o account_n here_o give_v but_o that_o he_o be_v his_o father_n however_o he_o have_v offend_v he_o and_o therefore_o he_o be_v resolve_v he_o will_v arise_v and_o go_v to_o his_o father_n as_o though_o there_o be_v charm_n and_o force_n enough_o in_o that_o word_n to_o answer_v all_o discouragement_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o bowel_n of_o pity_n and_o compassion_n which_o a_o father_n have_v towards_o a_o relent_a child_n we_o must_v inquire_v how_o far_o this_o will_v hold_v with_o respect_n to_o god_n who_o be_v so_o infinite_o above_o all_o the_o fond_a passion_n of_o humane_a nature_n that_o it_o be_v a_o diminution_n to_o his_o glory_n and_o majesty_n to_o be_v think_v like_o to_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o his_o thought_n and_o way_n be_v say_v to_o be_v as_o far_o above_o we_o as_o the_o heaven_n be_v above_o the_o earth_n 9_o to_o clear_v this_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v not_o only_o that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n do_v here_o lay_v the_o force_n and_o weight_n of_o the_o parable_n upon_o the_o tenderness_n of_o a_o father_n to_o his_o son_n but_o that_o he_o elsewhere_o argue_v from_o it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o convince_v we_o that_o god_n have_v far_o great_a pity_n and_o compassion_n towards_o mankind_n when_o they_o make_v due_a application_n to_o he_o than_o father_n can_v have_v towards_o their_o child_n even_o when_o they_o ask_v for_o necessary_a sustenance_n 11._o what_o man_n be_v there_o of_o you_o who_o if_o his_o son_n ask_v bread_n will_v he_o give_v he_o a_o stone_n or_o if_o he_o ask_v a_o fish_n will_v he_o give_v he_o a_o serpent_n if_o you_o then_o be_v evil_a know_v how_o to_o give_v good_a gift_n unto_o your_o child_n how_o much_o more_o shall_v your_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n give_v good_a thing_n to_o they_o that_o ask_v he_o there_o have_v be_v philosopher_n so_o severe_a against_o the_o passion_n of_o humane_a nature_n that_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v any_o pity_n or_o commiseration_n towards_o other_o whatever_o their_o condition_n or_o relation_n be_v but_o only_o act_v according_a to_o reason_n in_o supply_v their_o want_n but_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v far_o more_o reasonable_o allow_v such_o passion_n in_o mankind_n as_o dispose_v they_o to_o do_v good_a to_o other_o by_o fix_v such_o a_o impression_n on_o their_o mind_n of_o other_o misery_n as_o do_v excite_v they_o to_o do_v what_o be_v fit_v for_o their_o ease_n and_o support_v and_o compassion_n be_v not_o as_o some_o imagine_v such_o a_o mean_a and_o selfish_a passion_n as_o do_v arise_v only_o from_o the_o apprehension_n that_o we_o may_v suffer_v the_o same_o thing_n ourselves_o which_o we_o pity_v other_o for_o but_o it_o be_v a_o generous_a sense_n of_o what_o other_o feel_v join_v with_o a_o readiness_n to_o help_v they_o according_a to_o our_o power_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n our_o saviour_n not_o only_o allow_v it_o in_o father_n towards_o child_n but_o look_v on_o it_o as_o necessary_a in_o humane_a nature_n in_o order_n to_o the_o good_a and_o advantage_n of_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o himself_o take_v our_o nature_n upon_o he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v touch_v with_o the_o feel_n of_o our_o infirmity_n 4.15_o 5.2_o and_o to_o have_v compassion_n on_o the_o ignorant_a and_o on_o they_o that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o way_n but_o although_o this_o be_v allowable_a in_o humane_a nature_n how_o can_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o compassion_n be_v attribute_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v uncapable_a of_o such_o impression_n and_o motion_n which_o we_o be_v subject_a to_o and_o yet_o the_o scripture_n be_v very_o full_a and_o clear_a in_o attribute_v pity_n and_o compassion_n to_o almighty_a god_n with_o respect_n to_o his_o creature_n the_o psalmist_n say_v 8._o the_o lord_n be_v full_a of_o compassion_n and_o mercy_n long-suffering_a and_o of_o great_a goodness_n st._n james_n say_v 5.11_o he_o be_v very_o pitiful_a and_o of_o tender_a mercy_n and_o in_o that_o wonderful_a appearance_n to_o moses_n when_o god_n himself_o declare_v his_o own_o attribute_n the_o great_a part_n consist_v of_o his_o kindness_n and_o mercy_n towards_o mankind_n 7._o the_o lord_n god_n merciful_a and_o gracious_a long-suffering_a and_o abundant_a in_o goodness_n and_o truth_n keep_v mercy_n for_o thousand_o forgive_a iniquity_n transgression_n and_o sin_n and_o the_o psalmist_n use_v the_o very_a same_o similitude_n of_o a_o father_n pity_n to_o his_o child_n 103.13_o like_a as_o a_o father_n pity_v his_o child_n so_o the_o lord_n pity_v they_o that_o fear_v he_o and_o when_o the_o prophet_n speak_v of_o god_n thought_n and_o way_n be_v so_o much_o above_o man_n it_o be_v for_o this_o end_n to_o prove_v thereby_o that_o god_n may_v show_v more_o pity_n to_o mankind_n than_o they_o find_v in_o their_o heart_n to_o show_v to_o one_o another_o let_v he_o return_v unto_o the_o lord_n 55.7_o and_o he_o will_v have_v mercy_n upon_o he_o and_o to_o our_o god_n for_o he_o will_v abundant_o pardon_v for_o my_o thought_n be_v not_o your_o thought_n etc._n etc._n but_o set_v aside_o all_o this_o the_o whole_a scheme_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v draw_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o god_n pity_n and_o compassion_n towards_o penitent_a sinner_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n our_o saviour_n insist_o so_o much_o on_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o in_o this_o whole_a chapter_n wherein_o we_o not_o only_o read_v of_o joy_n in_o heaven_n at_o the_o repentance_n of_o a_o sinner_n 7.10_o but_o the_o compassion_n of_o god_n almighty_n towards_o a_o penitent_a sinner_n be_v set_v forth_o with_o all_o the_o tenderness_n of_o a_o indulgent_a father_n run_v into_o the_o embrace_n of_o his_o son_n when_o he_o see_v he_o at_o a_o distance_n come_v towards_o he_o what_o now_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o all_o this_o be_v we_o to_o conceive_v of_o god_n as_o one_o like_a to_o ourselves_o who_o either_o do_v not_o see_v fault_n in_o those_o we_o love_v or_o do_v not_o hate_v they_o as_o we_o shall_v do_v or_o be_v too_o apt_a to_o pass_v they_o over_o or_o be_v at_o first_o it_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o be_v angry_a upon_o a_o slight_a provocation_n and_o then_o as_o easy_o make_v friend_n upon_o as_o little_a reason_n as_o we_o be_v make_v angry_a but_o none_o of_o these_o thing_n ought_v to_o enter_v into_o our_o mind_n concern_v god_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o folly_n of_o mankind_n and_o in_o this_o case_n if_o we_o will_v form_v in_o our_o mind_n right_a and_o true_a conception_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n as_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v we_o must_v have_v a_o great_a care_n lest_o we_o attribute_v any_o thing_n to_o god_n which_o look_v like_o weakness_n and_o imperfection_n as_o the_o motion_n and_o change_n of_o passion_n do_v therefore_o to_o understand_v his_o pity_n and_o compassion_n and_o reconciliation_n to_o penitent_a sinner_n we_o must_v first_o know_v what_o his_o anger_n and_o displeasure_n against_o sinner_n mean_v some_o think_v that_o epicurus_n do_v in_o earnest_n believe_v a_o god_n 4._o but_o he_o be_v therefore_o force_v to_o deny_v providence_n because_o he_o can_v not_o conceive_v that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n can_v be_v manage_v without_o such_o resentment_n as_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o complete_a happiness_n of_o the_o diune_n be_v and_o therefore_o he_o rather_o choose_v to_o make_v he_o careless_a and_o easie_n than_o active_a and_o liable_a to_o passion_n the_o stoic_n attribute_v to_o god_n all_o that_o be_v good_a and_o kind_a and_o oblige_a but_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n endure_v that_o ever_o he_o shall_v be_v say_v to_o be_v angry_a or_o displease_v which_o doctrine_n do_v in_o effect_n overthrow_v providence_n with_o respect_n to_o moral_a action_n as_o much_o as_o the_o epicurean_o for_o if_o god_n do_v not_o regard_v the_o difference_n of_o man_n action_n but_o be_v equal_o kind_a to_o they_o whether_o they_o do_v good_a or_o evil_a such_o a_o providence_n will_v have_v as_o little_a influence_n on_o man_n life_n as_o if_o there_o be_v none_o at_o all_o we_o must_v then_o suppose_v if_o we_o will_v uphold_v religion_n and_o morality_n in_o the_o world_n not_o only_o that_o there_o be_v a_o providence_n
a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o white-hall_n february_n the_o 19_o the_o 1685_o 6._o be_v the_o first_o friday_n in_o lent_n by_o edw._n stillingfleet_n d.d._n dean_n of_o st._n paul_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v for_o henry_n mortlock_n at_o the_o phoenix_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxxvi_o st._n luke_n xv_o 18._o i_o will_v arise_v and_o go_v to_o my_o father_n and_o will_v say_v to_o he_o father_n i_o have_v sin_v against_o heaven_n and_o before_o thou_o in_o the_o forego_n verse_n we_o find_v the_o prodigal_a son_n so_o far_o awaken_v and_o come_v to_o himself_o as_o to_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o miserable_a condition_n he_o have_v bring_v himself_o into_o by_o his_o own_o folly_n and_o wickedness_n but_o before_o he_o come_v to_o this_o there_o be_v a_o remarkable_a turn_v in_o the_o course_n of_o his_o life_n set_v down_o by_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o excellent_a parable_n for_o he_o be_v first_o very_o impatient_a of_o be_v under_o the_o wise_a conduct_n of_o his_o father_n and_o think_v he_o can_v manage_v his_o own_o affair_n far_o more_o to_o his_o contentment_n and_o satisfaction_n if_o he_o be_v but_o permit_v to_o use_v his_o liberty_n and_o be_v not_o so_o strict_o tie_v up_o to_o the_o grave_a and_o formal_a method_n of_o live_v observe_v and_o require_v in_o his_o father_n house_n which_o may_v pass_v for_o wisdom_n in_o age_n and_o be_v agreeable_a enough_o to_o such_o who_o life_n and_o vigour_n be_v decay_v and_o who_o be_v now_o to_o maintain_v their_o authority_n over_o their_o child_n by_o seem_v to_o be_v so_o much_o wise_a than_o they_o but_o it_o be_v a_o rare_a thing_n for_o youth_n and_o age_n to_o agree_v in_o the_o opinion_n of_o wisdom_n for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o care_n the_o experience_n the_o judgement_n of_o a_o wise_a and_o tender_a father_n that_o can_v allay_v the_o heat_n or_o calm_v the_o passion_n or_o over-rule_v the_o violent_a inclination_n of_o youth_n but_o whatever_o be_v cost_v they_o afterward_o some_o will_v be_v still_o try_v the_o experiment_n whether_o it_o do_v not_o more_o conduce_v to_o the_o happiness_n of_o life_n to_o pursue_v their_o own_o fancy_n and_o design_n than_o to_o hearken_v to_o another_o direction_n though_o a_o father_n who_o circumstance_n be_v so_o much_o different_a from_o their_o own_o thus_o our_o bless_a saviour_n represent_v in_o the_o parable_n this_o young_a prodigal_n as_o weary_a of_o be_v rich_a and_o easy_a at_o home_n and_o fond_a of_o see_v the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o nothing_o will_v satisfy_v he_o unless_o he_o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o stock_n which_o be_v intend_v for_o he_o that_o he_o may_v show_v the_o difference_n between_o his_o father_n conduct_n and_o his_o own_o and_o this_o very_a soon_o appear_v for_o this_o hopeful_a manager_n have_v not_o be_v long_o abroad_o but_o he_o waste_v his_o substance_n with_o riotous_a live_n and_o to_o make_v he_o the_o more_o sensible_a of_o his_o folly_n there_o happen_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a scarcity_n which_o make_v his_o low_a and_o exhaust_a condition_n more_o uneasy_a to_o he_o but_o the_o sense_n of_o shame_n be_v yet_o great_a with_o he_o than_o that_o of_o his_o folly_n and_o whatever_o shift_n he_o undergo_v he_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n yet_o think_v of_o return_v home_o but_o rather_o choose_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o mean_a and_o base_a employment_n in_o hope_n to_o avoid_v the_o necessity_n of_o it_o but_o at_o last_o reason_n and_o consideration_n begin_v to_o work_v upon_o he_o which_o be_v call_v his_o come_n to_o himself_o and_o then_o he_o take_v up_o a_o resolution_n to_o go_v home_o to_o his_o father_n and_o to_o throw_v himself_o at_o his_o foot_n to_o confess_v his_o fault_n ingenuous_o and_o free_o and_o to_o beg_v pardon_n for_o his_o former_a folly_n in_o hope_n of_o forgiveness_n and_o reconciliation_n i_o will_v arise_v and_o go_v to_o my_o father_n and_o say_v to_o he_o father_n i_o have_v sin_v against_o heaven_n and_o before_o thou_o under_o this_o parable_n our_o saviour_n set_v forth_o the_o state_n of_o a_o sinner_n 1._o in_o his_o wilful_a degeneracy_n from_o god_n his_o father_n both_o by_o creation_n and_o providence_n his_o uneasiness_n under_o his_o just_a and_o holy_a law_n his_o impatience_n of_o be_v restrain_v by_o they_o his_o cast_v off_o the_o bond_n of_o duty_n to_o he_o and_o run_v into_o all_o kind_n of_o disorder_n without_o regard_n to_o god_n or_o his_o own_o soul_n 2._o in_o the_o dissatisfaction_n he_o find_v in_o his_o evil_a course_n be_v very_o much_o disappoint_v in_o the_o great_a expectation_n he_o have_v in_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n waste_v his_o health_n interest_n reputation_n estate_n and_o above_o all_o the_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o his_o mind_n which_o be_v more_o valuable_a than_o any_o other_o delight_n whatsoever_o and_o he_o now_o find_v impossible_a to_o be_v enjoy_v in_o a_o course_n of_o rebellion_n against_o his_o heavenly_a father_n 3._o in_o the_o conviction_n of_o his_o folly_n upon_o due_a consideration_n of_o what_o he_o have_v do_v which_o be_v emphatical_o call_v come_v to_o himself_o have_v before_o act_v so_o much_o below_o himself_o and_o against_o himself_o unworthy_a of_o the_o relation_n he_o stand_v in_o to_o god_n of_o those_o faculty_n he_o have_v bestow_v upon_o he_o and_o of_o those_o hope_n and_o expectation_n he_o may_v have_v have_v from_o he_o either_o as_o to_o this_o or_o another_o world_n 4._o in_o the_o resolution_n he_o take_v upon_o this_o conviction_n no_o long_o to_o delay_v his_o purpose_n of_o repent_v and_o return_v home_o but_o to_o embrace_v the_o present_a opportunity_n of_o do_v it_o free_o hearty_o and_o ingenuous_o i_o will_v arise_v and_o go_v to_o my_o father_n etc._n etc._n have_v former_o in_o this_o place_n and_o on_o a_o like_a occasion_n consider_v the_o prodigal_a son_n be_v come_v to_o himself_o i_o shall_v now_o pursue_v the_o method_n of_o his_o repentance_n in_o the_o resolution_n he_o here_o take_v to_o arise_v and_o go_v to_o his_o father_n etc._n etc._n and_o therein_o i_o shall_v inquire_v into_o these_o thing_n i._n what_o ground_n a_o sinner_n have_v to_o encourage_v he_o to_o repent_v or_o to_o form_v such_o a_o resolution_n in_o his_o mind_n that_o he_o will_v arise_v and_o go_v to_o his_o father_n when_o he_o know_v he_o have_v so_o much_o provoke_v and_o offend_v he_o ii_o how_o necessary_a it_o be_v in_o order_n to_o true_a repentance_n to_o form_v a_o fix_a and_o steady_a resolution_n to_o go_v through_o with_o it_o i_o will_v arise_v and_o go_v etc._n etc._n first_o what_o ground_n a_o sinner_n have_v to_o encourage_v he_o to_o repent_v or_o to_o make_v application_n to_o his_o father_n in_o order_n to_o forgiveness_n since_o he_o be_v convince_v he_o have_v so_o just_o offend_v he_o for_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n here_o mention_v he_o have_v no_o such_o reason_n to_o hope_v to_o be_v receive_v into_o favour_n upon_o such_o easy_a term_n as_o be_v here_o express_v for_o 1._o he_o have_v wilful_o forsake_v his_o father_n house_n without_o any_o just_a cause_n of_o complaint_n of_o and_o hard_a usage_n there_o 2._o he_o have_v embrace_v such_o a_o course_n of_o life_n which_o he_o know_v be_v displease_v to_o he_o live_v riotous_o and_o disorderly_o in_o a_o way_n contrary_a to_o his_o will._n 3._o he_o never_o think_v of_o return_v home_o till_o mere_a necessity_n force_v he_o till_o hunger_n and_o poverty_n make_v he_o come_v to_o himself_o and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o disoblige_v to_o a_o father_n than_o such_o circumstance_n as_o these_o 1._o his_o father_n never_o force_v he_o from_o home_n nor_o make_v his_o condition_n uneasy_a there_o our_o saviour_n here_o represent_v almighty_a god_n as_o deal_v with_o mankind_n like_o a_o tender_a and_o indulgent_a father_n and_o not_o like_o a_o severe_a and_o hard_a master_n his_o law_n be_v intend_v for_o our_o good_a and_o not_o for_o his_o own_o advantage_n there_o be_v no_o duty_n of_o we_o towards_o god_n or_o ourselves_o or_o other_o but_o be_v found_v on_o this_o relation_n to_o god_n as_o a_o father_n to_o mankind_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o reasonable_a in_o general_a than_o that_o the_o father_n shall_v order_v and_o direct_v his_o child_n and_o give_v such_o rule_n which_o be_v fit_v for_o they_o to_o observe_v and_o if_o we_o examine_v the_o particular_a law_n of_o nature_n or_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n as_o to_o good_a and_o evil_a we_o shall_v find_v they_o very_o agreeable_a to_o god_n paternal_a government_n what_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n to_o god_n but_o ask_v daily_a blessing_n of_o our_o heavenly_a father_n what_o be_v our_o
thanksgiving_n but_o a_o solemn_a own_v his_o paternal_a care_n and_o bounty_n towards_o we_o and_o in_o these_o two_o the_o main_a duty_n of_o natural_a religion_n consist_v the_o neglect_v whereof_o be_v such_o a_o disrespect_n to_o our_o heavenly_a father_n as_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o our_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v so_o for_o as_o god_n himself_o argue_v in_o the_o prophet_n 1.6_o a_o son_n honour_v his_o father_n and_o a_o servant_n his_o master_n if_o then_o i_o be_v a_o father_n where_o be_v my_o honour_n and_o if_o i_o be_v a_o master_n where_o be_v my_o fear_n god_n be_v a_o father_n by_o the_o right_n of_o creation_n and_o providence_n but_o he_o be_v a_o master_n to_o the_o jew_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o law_n and_o as_o there_o be_v a_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n on_o that_o account_n in_o they_o which_o incline_v they_o to_o a_o more_o servile_a fear_n so_o there_o aught_o to_o have_v be_v a_o natural_a spirit_n of_o adoption_n towards_o god_n as_o their_o supreme_a creator_n and_o father_n which_o shall_v excite_v all_o man_n to_o such_o a_o dutiful_a love_n such_o a_o reverential_n esteem_v such_o a_o mixture_n of_o awe_n and_o kindness_n as_o be_v in_o child_n towards_o their_o parent_n yea_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v much_o great_a than_o that_o can_v be_v suppose_v because_o the_o distance_n be_v infinite_a between_o god_n and_o we_o and_o our_o dependence_n more_o immediate_a and_o necessary_a and_o there_o be_v in_o he_o a_o concurrence_n of_o all_o perfection_n which_o may_v cause_v in_o we_o the_o high_a esteem_n and_o the_o humble_a adoration_n there_o be_v a_o unquestionable_a duty_n owe_v by_o child_n to_o their_o earthly_a parent_n 〈◊〉_d but_o how_o much_o rather_o say_v the_o apostle_n ought_v we_o to_o be_v in_o subjection_n to_o the_o father_n of_o spirit_n the_o father_n of_o our_o flesh_n may_v be_v very_o kind_a but_o not_o wise_a in_o their_o love_n or_o wise_a and_o not_o so_o kind_a or_o they_o may_v be_v both_o wise_a and_o kind_a but_o not_o able_a to_o help_v their_o child_n they_o may_v love_v and_o pity_n and_o pray_v for_o they_o when_o they_o be_v in_o misery_n or_o sickness_n and_o pain_n but_o after_o all_o they_o be_v unable_a to_o relieve_v they_o for_o the_o most_o indulgent_a father_n when_o his_o bowel_n yearn_v and_o his_o heart_n be_v ready_a to_o break_v at_o the_o sight_n of_o a_o child_n lie_v under_o the_o agony_n of_o death_n be_v not_o able_a to_o give_v a_o moment_n respite_n to_o the_o terrible_a pang_n which_o he_o can_v neither_o behold_v nor_o abate_v but_o our_o heavenly_a father_n have_v not_o only_o infinite_a wisdom_n but_o infinite_a kindness_n and_o power_n and_o where_o all_o these_o be_v join_v together_o what_o honour_n what_o love_n what_o fear_n be_v due_a unto_o he_o although_o there_o be_v defect_n in_o their_o parent_n yet_o child_n be_v still_o bind_v to_o obey_v they_o and_o to_o show_v a_o mighty_a regard_n and_o reverence_n towards_o they_o but_o here_o it_o be_v so_o much_o otherwise_o that_o if_o we_o can_v conceive_v ourselves_o without_o this_o relation_n to_o god_n yet_o his_o perfection_n be_v so_o many_o so_o great_a so_o infinite_a as_o to_o deserve_v and_o require_v our_o utmost_a veneration_n the_o prodigal_a son_n can_v then_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o the_o duty_n which_o he_o owe_v to_o his_o father_n and_o be_v it_o not_o fit_a for_o he_o to_o appoint_v the_o order_n of_o his_o family_n and_o to_o expect_v that_o his_o child_n shall_v behave_v themselves_o therein_o as_o become_v the_o relation_n they_o stand_v in_o to_o himself_o and_o to_o one_o another_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v a_o decent_a regard_n to_o themselves_o in_o sobriety_n temperance_n command_v of_o their_o passion_n and_o care_n of_o their_o word_n that_o they_o shall_v behave_v themselves_o towards_o their_o brethren_n with_o sincerity_n kindness_n and_o justice_n which_o comprehend_v all_o the_o duty_n we_o owe_v to_o one_o another_o and_o what_o now_o be_v there_o in_o all_o this_o that_o the_o prodigal_n can_v have_v any_o cause_n to_o complain_v of_o or_o that_o shall_v make_v his_o father_n house_n so_o uneasy_a to_o he_o but_o his_o father_n have_v just_a cause_n to_o be_v provoke_v when_o his_o wise_a counsel_n and_o prudent_a care_n and_o constant_a kindness_n and_o righteous_a government_n be_v so_o much_o slight_v and_o despise_v by_o a_o disobedient_a and_o ungrateful_a son_n who_o have_v so_o little_a sense_n of_o his_o duty_n or_o his_o interest_n as_o to_o be_v weary_a of_o be_v so_o well_o at_o home_n and_o therefore_o impatient_o desire_v to_o find_v out_o new_a method_n of_o live_v well_o as_o he_o then_o think_v when_o the_o best_a order_n of_o his_o father_n family_n be_v become_v so_o displease_v to_o he_o 2._o but_o what_o be_v these_o new_a and_o fine_a contrivance_n for_o his_o own_o happiness_n he_o begin_v to_o suspect_v his_o wife_n father_n do_v not_o allow_v his_o child_n liberty_n enough_o at_o home_n and_o that_o he_o conceal_v from_o he_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o the_o happiness_n of_o life_n and_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o if_o he_o do_v give_v way_n to_o those_o desire_n which_o he_o find_v to_o be_v natural_a but_o his_o father_n think_v unreasonable_a he_o shall_v enjoy_v much_o more_o pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n than_o he_o do_v at_o home_n and_o be_v resolve_v upon_o this_o he_o give_v way_n to_o those_o inclination_n he_o find_v strong_a in_o himself_o deny_v himself_o no_o pleasure_n of_o life_n account_v virtue_n but_o a_o name_n which_o sour_a and_o morose_a person_n put_v upon_o their_o own_o humour_n and_o religion_n but_o a_o device_n for_o fool_n to_o deceive_v themselves_o and_o knave_n to_o deceive_v other_o by_o and_o so_o he_o throw_v off_o all_o check_n and_o restraint_n upon_o himself_o and_o never_o regard_v the_o good_a or_o evil_a of_o what_o he_o do_v for_o his_o lust_n be_v his_o law_n and_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o they_o he_o now_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o only_a real_a happiness_n of_o mankind_n and_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v suppose_v more_o provoke_v to_o his_o heavenly_a father_n than_o such_o a_o wicked_a and_o dissolute_a way_n of_o live_v so_o contrary_a to_o his_o father_n will_n to_o his_o own_o reason_n conscience_n interest_n reputation_n and_o which_o soon_o bring_v he_o to_o shame_n and_o misery_n 3._o but_o that_o which_o add_v yet_o more_o to_o the_o height_n of_o the_o provocation_n be_v that_o he_o do_v not_o think_v of_o return_v home_o to_o his_o father_n upon_o the_o first_o apprehension_n of_o his_o own_o folly_n but_o he_o resolve_v to_o undergo_v any_o difficulty_n and_o submit_v to_o any_o hardship_n rather_o than_o do_v what_o be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o reconciliation_n with_o his_o father_n how_o hard_o a_o matter_n then_o be_v it_o to_o bring_v a_o habitual_a sinner_n to_o repentance_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o bring_v he_o to_o any_o due_a and_o serious_a conviction_n of_o the_o evil_a of_o his_o do_n but_o it_o be_v far_o more_o difficult_a to_o change_v the_o inward_a disposition_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o to_o alter_v all_o the_o great_a design_n and_o pleasure_n of_o life_n it_o be_v but_o a_o mean_a notion_n of_o repentance_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o prevail_v in_o the_o world_n as_o though_o it_o imply_v no_o more_o than_o some_o act_n of_o contrition_n for_o great_a sin_n when_o the_o habit_n and_o disposition_n remain_v the_o same_o but_o true_a repentance_n be_v the_o turn_n of_o the_o whole_a soul_n from_o the_o love_n as_o well_o as_o the_o practice_n of_o sin_n and_o this_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v easy_o or_o sudden_o a_o sinner_n will_v bear_v a_o great_a many_o check_n and_o reproof_n of_o conscience_n before_o he_o will_v part_v with_o his_o belove_a sin_n he_o will_v struggle_v a_o great_a while_n with_o himself_o and_o endure_v many_o conflict_n between_o a_o awaken_v conscience_n and_o root_v lnclination_n before_o the_o penitent_a sinner_n can_v assure_v himself_o that_o his_o repentance_n have_v have_v its_o due_a and_o effectual_a operation_n upon_o he_o for_o we_o see_v here_o nothing_o but_o extremity_n bring_v the_o prodigal_n to_o himself_o and_o make_v he_o at_o last_o to_o resolve_v to_o arise_v and_o go_v to_o his_o father_n etc._n etc._n 18._o as_o themistocles_n say_v of_o the_o people_n of_o athens_n they_o do_v by_o he_o as_o man_n common_o do_v by_o a_o great_a tree_n they_o run_v to_o it_o for_o shelter_n in_o a_o storm_n but_o care_v not_o how_o they_o use_v it_o another_o time_n that_o be_v too_o true_a of_o sinner_n with_o respect_n to_o god_n when_o they_o can_v make_v a_o shift_n for_o themselves_o any_o other_o way_n they_o despise_v religion_n and_o make_v god_n