Mercy magnified on a penitent prodigal, or, A brief discourse

2. Let it be for caution to such as are newly converted; though now they are and ought to be in bitterness for Sin, and to mourn for it before God, yet have a care of giving Satan advantage thereby to weaken your faith, and undermine the consolation arising from your interest in this grace. Godly sorrow, humility, repentance, are so to be exercised, as to be helpful to the strengthening, and not become impediments to the exercise of and activity of faith: Hence make that the great incentive to Godly sorrow, viz. the consideration that is against that God that loved you; let Divine love be set against Sin, and that will help both Faith and Repentance.

3. Let others beware of irregular applications to such as are mourning for Sin, and full of sorrow by reason of it: Do not take pains to dry up those tears; be not troubled at them, but rejoice: It is a very pleasant sight, an heart-comforting fight, to see any truly mourning for Sin. to give wise relief against despair, is prudence, but rather help and encourage godly sorrow. Though fair weather be pleasant, ⟨p. 328⟩yet showers may be more suitable, and make the earth more fertile: Paul repents not to have been instrumental to so good a work, 2 Cor. 7. 9, 10.

3. Let others beware of irregular applications to such as are mourning for Sin, and full of sorrow by reason of it: Do not take pains to dry up those tears; be not troubled at them, but rejoyce: It is a very pleasant sight, an heart-comforting fight, to see any truly mourning for Sin. to give wise relief against despair, is prudence, but rather help and encourage godly sorrow. Though fair weather be pleasant, ⟨p. 328⟩yet showers may be more suitable, and make the earth more fertile: Paul repents not to have been instrumental to so good a work,