The divine life in three treatises

3. Moreover, the servants of God are doubly obliged to walk with him, because they have had that experience of the goodness the safety and the sweetness of it, which strangers have not. Do you not remember how glad you were, when you first believed that he pardoned and accepted you? And how much you rejoiced in his Love and entertainment? And how much better you found your Fathers house, than ever you had found your sinful state? And how much sweeter his service was than you did before believe? It's like you can remember something like that which is described in Luk. 15. 20, 22, 23, 24. [And he arose and came to his Father: But when he was yet a great way off, his Father saw him, and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him; And the Son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son; But the Father said to his servants Bring forth the best Robe and put it on him, and put a Ring on his hand, and Shoes on his feet, and bring hither the fatted Calf, and kill it, and let us eat and be merry: for this my Son was dead and is alive again, he was lost, and is found.] What would you have thought or said of this Prodigal, if after all this he should have been weary of his Fathers house and company, and have taken more pleasure in his former company? Would you not have said▪ he was a forgetful and unthankful wretch, and worthy never more to be received? I do not speak to you now as to Apostates, that are turned ungodly, and have quite forsaken God and Holiness: But I beseech you consider what it is, after such experiences and obligations as these, so much as to abate your love, and ⟨p. 284⟩grow remiss, and mindless, and indifferent, as if you were aweary of God, and were inclined to neglect him, and look again to the world for your hope, and satisfaction, and delight? As you love your souls, and as you would avoid the sorrows which are greater than any that ever you felt, take heed of slighting the Love that hath done such wonders for you, and of dealing so unthankfully with the everliving God, and of turning thus away from him that hath received you! Remember whilst you live, the Love of your espousals: Was God so good to you at the first, and holiness so desirable? and is it not so still?

3. MOreover, the servants of God are doubly obliged to walk with him, because they have had that experience of the goodness the safety and the sweetness of it, which strangers have not. Do you not remember how glad you were, when you first believed that he pardoned and accepted you? And how much you rejoyced in his Love and entertainment? And how much better you found your Fathers house, than ever you had found your sinful state? And how much sweeter his service was than you did before believe? It's like you can remember something like that which is described in