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

Now I come to the Application of all this to our selves: You have seen that penitent resolutions should fall into present executions; ¹good purposes should be turned into quick practices The great enquiry will hence be, What do we? it is observed of some ²Nations, that they are too soon in the Field, and of others, too long on the bench; too quick in action, and too long in consultation. I confess, that Repentance should begin •n deliberation, and it should descend to resolution; but there is more required to building then a preparation of wood and stone. Thou hast resolved to leave such and such a sin (Oh! in thy last sickness, in thy last cross, in thy last distress of conscience; at the last Sermon, didst thou not resolve upon it, I will never serve such a lust more, I will walk more conscientiously before the Lord?) But what is done? show me thy Repentance in the acting part, as well as in the contriving part; thou art still held fast with the Cords of the same lusts, and art wallowing still in the same mire, and art lingering yet, and hastes not to come out of thy sinful ways. Zacheus made haste, and came down at once; do we do so? David thought on his ways, and turned his feet unto Gods ³Testimonies; he made haste and delayed not to keep his Commandments; But may not the Lord say of us, as he did of the Israelites, How long will it be ere they believe me? so, how long will it be ere we turn indeed from our sins to God? 'Tis true, some resolutions there are working in us, oftentimes, but like the goodness of Ephraim and Judah: Oh, Ephraim what shall I do unto thee? Oh, Judah what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a Morning ⁴Cloud, and as the early Dew it goeth away: So is it with many of us, we purpose and profess, but we fall back to our sins still; what we were, that we are; The time is not yet come (said they) to build the house of God, Hag. 1. Our purposes are past, but our executions are still, still to come: Consider of a few things. 1. Why do you resolve at all, when yet you execute and act nothing at all. Resolutio est opus