The parable of the prodigal. Containing, The riotous prodigal, or The sinners aversion from…

Whether the consideration of sin may be right, and available to Repentance, when yet there are some sins which a man thinks not ¹on? To this, I conjecture it may be thus answered. 1. That actual or particular inconsideration, if it be voluntary and affected, doth prejudice Repentance: For it is to be supposed, that he who will not take the pains to think of his sins, hath […] yet found an heart or a will to leave his sins. Therefore consider, that actual inconsideration may arise, either, From want of light or evidence; the eyes of the mind are not yet so fully opened, they are not so perfectly acquainted with the Law, which discovers sin; much sin they see, but not all; not that they would not, but because they cannot; so a weak eye hath not such clear and full sight: Or, From hypocrisy of will; when means of evidence are present, and commands of consideration are urged; but either from a secret love of sin, or from a laziness of spirit, the person will not take pains to consider throughly of his manifold sins, this kind of inconsideration being wilful and affected will be interpreted for Impenitency, because the person will not endeavour faithfully the ways of Repentance. 2. That the latitude of the Object considered, doth not so immediately discover and decide, as the efficacy and influence flowing from consideration it self. Though I am not able to find out every particular wherein I do offend; yet if by the consideration of those sins, which I do consider of, my heart doth melt and mourn, and strives to loath and forsake them, because they are sinful: If these drive me out of my self unto Christ; if these occasion me earnestly to acquaint my self with God, to beg for Reconciliation, for Grace, for Mercy, for Strength, &c. though there be many sins which I have not actually thought on, yet this may be a right and penitential consideration.²

Whether the consideration of sin may be right, and available to Repentance, when yet there are some sins which a man thinks not ¹on? To this, I conjecture it may be thus answered. 1. That actual or particular inconsideration, if it be voluntary and affected, doth prejudice Repentance: For it is to be supposed, that he who will not take the pains to think of his sins, hath 〈…〉 yet found an heart or a will to leave his sins. Therefore consider, that actual inconsideration may arise, either, From want of light or evidence; the eyes of the mind are not yet so fully opened, they are not so perfectly acquainted with the Law, which discovers sin; much sin they see, but not all; not that they would not, but because they cannot; so a weak eye hath not such clear and full sight: Or, From hypocrisie of will; when means of evidence are present, and commands of consideration are urged; but either from a secret love of sin, or from a laziness of spirit, the person will not take pains to consider throughly of his manifold sins, this kind of inconsideration being wilfull and affected will be interpreted for Impenitency, because the person will not endeavour faithfully the wayes of Repentance. 2. That the latitude of the Object considered, doth not so immediately discover and decide, as the efficacy and influence flowing from consideration it self. Though I am not able to find out every particular wherein I do offend; yet if by the consideration of those sins, which I do consider of, my heart doth melt and mourn, and strives to loath and forsake them, because they are sinfull: If these drive me out of my self unto Christ; if these occasion me earnestly to acquaint my self with God, to beg for Reconciliation, for Grace, for Mercy, for Strength, &c. though there be many sins which I have not actually thought on, yet this may be a right and penitential consideration.