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

If upon due search we find our hearts lifted up with an opinion ¹of our own worth and excellencies, and far from penitential humblings, We should be humbled for want of this humbleness: as Hezekiah, though his heart was lifted up, yet the text saith, He humbled himself for the pride of his heart, 2 Chron. 32. 25, 26, 27. And use the means by which we may become humbly sensible of our own great unworthiness. v. g. 1. Study our selves more. ²Alas! what are we? but dust and ashes; nay, but sin and corruption: We cannot say of our sins, as the Prophet spake of the fore-running calamities, Grey hairs are here and there upon him. No, no, but as David, Who can tell how oft he offends? if we knew our selves, we would abhor our selves. 2. Study the Law more, the perfection and excellency of it, and bring thy many blots to that purity, thy many crookednesses to that plainness. ³Paul was alive before the Law came, but when the Commandment came, sin revived, and he died. 3. Study your own performances better. 'Tis true, something is done, but there is more undone, ⁴then done: thy best services have more in them to humble, then to puff thee; thou canst not do at all, unless God aids thee (but art like a Mill without water, or a Dial without the Sun) and when thou dost go, it is like Mephibosheth, lame on both feet. When thou hast made the best prayer, thou mayest well bow the knee, and pray again, that God would forgive thee the much dullness, the many distractions, the infinite unbelief in thy prayer. ⟨p. 129⟩4. Study the creatures better, which are the bellows to blow up your self-conceits and high thoughts. What is thy beauty but a ⁵fading dye, a changeable tincture, which one blow or one disease may dash! if it escape both, yet time will unvarnish the house newly painted? What are riches but a labour, an heap of vanity, and a vexation of spirit; they are a Tree long in growing, and quick in fading: Solomon compares them to a Bird ready to fly; Paul reputes them uncertain, and David wonders who shall enjoy them. What are clothes but a few Garments of Trees, of Beasts, somewhat trimmed up? And our Honours, bu the breath of the People, a vain air and wind at the best, quickly stirred, easily turned about and allayed? And our bodies, but a piece of clay, a wall of earth? Our heads are but earthly Globes, and our eyes but wasting Candles, and our feet but decaying Pillars, &c.