A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

§. 12 2. Those who (now converted) have been the most open Sinners in their unconverted state, should more lay to Heart the Sins of the openly wicked than those who have lived more Civilly, and without scandal: The greatest Sinners converted, should have the greatest Compassion. They who have obtained most, should show most Mercy. Ye know (saith God) the Heart of a Stranger, Exod. 23.9. and therefore they are enjoined to be kind to Strangers: Great Sinners converted know the addictedness of an unconverted mans Heart to his Corruptions. They have tasted most of the bitterness of Sin, and of the sweetness of pardoning Mercy. They know most of the terror of the Lord, and therefore they should be most in persuading of,¹ and sorrowing for Sinners. Paul so eminent in Sin, was as famous for Compassion to Sinners: Gal. 6.1. The overtaken with a fault, he wills should be gently set in joint with the Spirit of meekness: He could not speak of Sinners without Weeping, Phil. 3.18. He had great heaviness and sorrow of Heart for his unconverted Brethren, Rom. 9.2. Who is weak and I am not weak? who is offended and I burn not? 2 Cor. 11.29. He commends meekness toward Sinners upon this very ground; for we (saith he Tit. 3.3.) our selves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

§. 12 2. Those who (now converted) have been the most open Sinners in their unconverted state, should more lay to Heart the Sins of the openly wicked than those who have lived more Civilly, and without scandal: The greatest Sinners converted, should have the greatest Compassion. They who have obtained most, should shew most Mercy. Ye know (saith God) the Heart of a Stranger,