A. When we conceive of God as a Father, it puts us in mind of his mercy, that he will pity us; as a Father will easily be reconciled to his son and will spare him, though he be a prodigal, yet his father will pass by all. So I pray to a father: did I pray to a Judge, that would condemn me, or an enemy that would not be reconciled unto me, little ⟨p. 9⟩hope had I to speed, because I wronged him,1 yet I will arise and go to him, for,2 As a father pitieth his son, so God pitieth them that fear him. He is my child saith God, though stubborn, and I must look to him. When a mans rebellions witness against him, and Satan vexeth him, and saith, what? thou think to have mercy, and art so vile? True, saith the soul, I am naught, but I go to a Father: if a child do but aim at a thing, the father accepts; if he speak but half a sentence, the father interprets it: so this is the great encouragement of the faithful, to go to God, ⟨p. 10⟩that notwithstanding so many failings, and though he be so dead and so barren, yet a father bears all; The Lord interprets all, though but broken speeches, yet God accepts and regards all, we have a father to go to, that is willing to pass by many failings.
A. When we conceive of God as a Father, it puts us in mind of his mercy, that hee will pity us; as a Father will easily bee reconciled to his sonne and will spare him, though he be a prodigall, yet his father will passe by all. So I pray to a father: did I pray to a Iudge, that would condemne me, or an enemy that would not be reconciled unto mee, little ⟨p. 9⟩hope had I to speed, because I wronged him,1 yet I will arise and goe to him, for,2 As a father pittieth his sonne, so God pittieth them that feare him. Hee is my child saith God, though stubborne, and I must looke to him. When a mans rebellions witnes against him, and Sathan vexeth him, and saith, what? thou think to have mercy, and art so vilde? True, saith the soule, I am naught, but I goe to a Father: if a child doe but aime at a thing, the father accepts; if hee speake but halfe a sentence, the father interprets it: so this is the great encouragement of the faithful, to go to God, ⟨p. 10⟩that notwithstanding so many failings, and though he be so dead and so barren, yet a father beares al; The Lord interprets all, though but broken speeches, yet God accepts and regards all, wee have a father to goe to, that is willing to passe by many failings.
- 1Luke 15.
- 2Psal. 103.
