but_o that_o god_n have_v a_o different_a regard_n to_o man_n according_a to_o the_o good_a or_o evil_a of_o their_o action_n the_o regard_n he_o have_v to_o man_n for_o be_v good_a and_o do_v good_a be_v call_v his_o love_n his_o kindness_n his_o goodwill_n his_o grace_n and_o favour_n that_o which_o he_o have_v to_o thing_n that_o be_v evil_a be_v call_v his_o hatred_n that_o which_o he_o have_v to_o person_n for_o do_v evil_a be_v his_o anger_n wrath_n displeasure_n indignation_n according_a to_o the_o different_a nature_n and_o circumstance_n of_o their_o evil_a action_n but_o in_o order_n to_o the_o prevent_v any_o false_a or_o mean_a apprehension_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n when_o the_o passion_n of_o mankind_n be_v attribute_v to_o it_o we_o must_v consider_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o we_o must_v by_o no_o mean_n attribute_v to_o god_n any_o thing_n that_o be_v unreasonable_a in_o ourselves_o such_o be_v all_o irregular_a motion_n which_o we_o call_v violent_a passion_n arise_v from_o surprise_n mistake_v inadvertency_n weakness_n or_o corrupt_a inclination_n but_o set_v all_o these_o aside_o the_o original_a passion_n of_o mankind_n which_o be_v agreeable_a to_o reason_n be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o arise_v from_o a_o inclination_n to_o what_o we_o judge_v to_o be_v good_a and_o a_o aversion_n from_o what_o we_o apprehend_v to_o be_v evil_a which_o hold_v as_o to_o the_o divine_a nature_n 2._o that_o there_o be_v a_o observable_a difference_n in_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o some_o passion_n which_o imply_v a_o repugnancy_n in_o themselves_o to_o the_o divine_a perfection_n which_o other_o do_v not_o for_o love_n and_o kindness_n and_o joy_n and_o inward_a satisfaction_n have_v nothing_o in_o they_o suppose_v their_o object_n good_a but_o what_o agree_v with_o the_o divine_a nature_n but_o the_o passion_n contrary_a to_o these_o as_o envy_n ill-will_a and_o revenge_n be_v not_o only_o repugnant_a as_o passion_n but_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n for_o god_n can_v envy_n the_o good_a of_o his_o creature_n nor_o bear_v ill-will_a to_o they_o as_o such_o nor_o take_v pleasure_n in_o their_o torment_n and_o of_o this_o nature_n anger_n proper_o take_v be_v as_o it_o do_v imply_v a_o present_a disorder_n and_o disturbance_n within_o from_o the_o apprehension_n of_o some_o injury_n do_v or_o intend_v with_o a_o desire_n of_o revenge_n on_o those_o who_o do_v it_o all_o which_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o necessary_a perfection_n of_o god_n for_o they_o argue_v meanness_n imperfection_n and_o mutability_n we_o must_v therefore_o fix_v on_o such_o a_o notion_n of_o anger_n as_o become_v the_o almighty_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n and_o that_o lie_v in_o 1._o a_o displeasure_n against_o the_o sinner_n on_o the_o account_n of_o his_o sin_n for_o god_n can_v have_v any_o complacency_n in_o those_o who_o displease_v he_o as_o all_o sinner_n do_v whether_o they_o design_v it_o or_o not_o 2._o a_o will_v to_o punish_v sinner_n according_a to_o their_o demerit_n which_o be_v according_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o wisdom_n and_o righteous_a government_n can_v be_v say_v to_o argue_v a_o indecent_a passion_n 3._o the_o actual_a execution_n of_o his_o justice_n upon_o great_a provocation_n and_o so_o god_n be_v say_v to_o be_v angry_a when_o he_o punish_v especial_o when_o he_o do_v it_o sudden_o and_o severe_o as_o man_n in_o their_o passion_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v but_o whatever_o god_n do_v in_o this_o kind_n he_o do_v it_o with_o the_o wisdom_n and_o temper_n of_o a_o judge_n and_o not_o with_o the_o fury_n or_o passion_n of_o a_o angry_a be_v and_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o all_o this_o unbecoming_a the_o divine_a nature_n but_o very_o agreeable_a thereto_o and_o this_o be_v all_o which_o in_o strictness_n of_o reason_n be_v understand_v by_o god_n be_v angry_a with_o mankind_n for_o we_o must_v never_o imagine_v that_o god_n act_v according_a to_o sudden_a heat_n and_o passion_n but_o whatever_o he_o do_v be_v according_a to_o the_o counsel_n of_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v represent_v anger_n in_o god_n as_o if_o it_o be_v a_o passion_n raise_v upon_o great_a provocation_n and_o capable_a of_o be_v lay_v by_o submission_n and_o true_a repentance_n thence_o we_o read_v of_o god_n wrath_n wax_a hot_a 32.10_o of_o his_o anger_n kindle_v against_o his_o people_n 3.9_o and_o his_o turn_n away_o from_o his_o fierce_a anger_n and_o many_o such_o expression_n but_o so_o we_o read_v of_o the_o fire_n of_o his_o indignation_n the_o sword_n of_o his_o wrath_n the_o stretch_v forth_o of_o his_o hand_n which_o all_o grant_n be_v not_o to_o be_v literal_o understand_v lf_n then_o in_o these_o expression_n the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v to_o be_v our_o rule_n according_a to_o which_o we_o must_v interpret_v they_o because_o the_o literal_a sense_n imply_v a_o incongruity_n to_o the_o divine_a perfection_n which_o be_v all_o whole_o spiritual_a then_o from_o the_o same_o reason_n we_o must_v remove_v all_o perturbation_n from_o it_o which_o be_v as_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o absolute_a perfection_n of_o it_o as_o eye_n and_o ear_n and_o hand_n and_o foot_n be_v although_o they_o be_v all_o mention_v in_o scripture_n from_o whence_o we_o just_o infer_v that_o there_o be_v a_o wonderful_a condescension_n to_o the_o ordinary_a capacity_n and_o common_a apprehension_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o language_n of_o scripture_n concern_v the_o divine_a nature_n which_o make_v deep_a impression_n on_o mean_a understanding_n and_o those_o who_o be_v of_o fine_a thought_n will_v see_v cause_n to_o attribute_v only_o such_o a_o sense_n of_o thing_n relate_v to_o god_n as_o be_v consistent_a with_o his_o infinite_a and_o divine_a perfection_n but_o what_o now_o shall_v we_o say_v to_o this_o tenderness_n and_o compassion_n of_o god_n towards_o penitent_a sinner_n can_v he_o be_v move_v by_o our_o trouble_n and_o sorrow_n and_o act_n of_o contrition_n for_o our_o sin_n if_o we_o be_v righteous_a what_o do_v it_o profit_v the_o almighty_a and_o if_o we_o be_v evil_a how_o can_v it_o hurt_v he_o and_o if_o when_o we_o have_v sin_v we_o repent_v we_o do_v no_o more_o than_o be_v fit_v for_o we_o but_o why_o shall_v we_o imagine_v the_o great_a and_o wise_a god_n shall_v have_v compassion_n upon_o we_o when_o we_o become_v sensible_a of_o our_o own_o folly_n for_o when_o we_o sin_n against_o god_n wilful_o deliberate_o know_o habitual_o we_o do_v what_o lie_v in_o we_o to_o provoke_v he_o to_o wrath_n and_o indignation_n against_o we_o we_o reject_v his_o wise_a government_n we_o slight_a his_o righteous_a law_n we_o prefer_v the_o please_a our_o corrupt_a inclination_n and_o sensual_a lust_n before_o our_o heavenly_a father_n and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o provoke_v to_o he_o than_o to_o be_v so_o despise_v by_o one_o who_o have_v his_o be_v and_o all_o the_o comfort_n of_o life_n from_o he_o suppose_v now_o such_o a_o disobedient_a rebellious_a son_n as_o here_o in_o the_o parable_n be_v make_v sensible_a of_o his_o folly_n be_v his_o father_n bind_v to_o receive_v he_o be_v it_o not_o his_o own_o choice_n to_o go_v from_o he_o if_o he_o have_v suffer_v by_o his_o folly_n he_o may_v thank_v himself_o for_o it_o and_o if_o his_o father_n let_v he_o alone_o in_o it_o he_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o complain_v but_o such_o be_v the_o tenderness_n of_o the_o father_n towards_o his_o repent_v son_n that_o he_o show_v the_o great_a compassion_n imaginable_a for_o he_o do_v not_o stay_v at_o home_n expect_v his_o son_n be_v solemn_a submission_n before_o his_o family_n but_o he_o run_v towards_o he_o and_o fall_v upon_o his_o neck_n and_o kiss_v he_o what_o conception_n now_o ought_v we_o to_o have_v of_o god_n compassion_n towards_o penitent_a sinner_n answerable_a to_o all_o this_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o clear_v in_o these_o particular_n 1._o that_o god_n hatred_n be_v not_o primary_o against_o person_n who_o be_v his_o creature_n but_o against_o that_o which_o be_v evil_a which_o be_v none_o of_o his_o make_n and_o against_o person_n only_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v corrupt_v with_o evil._n thou_o love_v righteousness_n and_o hate_v wickedness_n say_v the_o psalmist_n 45.7_o god_n hate_v nothing_o for_o its_o own_o sake_n but_o sin_n and_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o he_o hate_v all_o worker_n of_o iniquity_n 2._o there_o may_v be_v goodwill_n towards_o the_o person_n of_o a_o sinner_n at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o god_n discover_v the_o hatred_n of_o his_o sin_n i_o do_v not_o say_v god_n take_v any_o pleasure_n in_o he_o while_o he_o go_v on_o in_o sin_n for_o that_o be_v against_o the_o eternal_a rule_n of_o righteousness_n in_o god_n but_o that_o he_o may_v have_v so_o much_o goodwill_n
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