Mercy magnified on a penitent prodigal, or A brief discourse, wherein Christs parable of…

USE, 1. It may teach us not to wonder at all the exorbitanci•s and confusions which we see acted in the world: when fools and madmen have gotten the reins in their necks, and act all their own pleasure without any control, what better can be expected? The workers of iniquity all of them have no knowledge, no marvel then that they act so foolishly: Nay, much rather have we cause to wonder at the power and wisdom of God, that so wisely orders, and powerfully manageth this great Bedlam, as to carry on his own ends and designs in it without control or let, causing even the folly of men to pay tribute to his wisdom.

USE, 2. Here we see a reason why the moans of Grace, where they are never so powerfully dispensed, are yet so ineffectual to the conversion of sinners; why convictions fasten ⟨p. 146⟩not, threatenings take not place, promises allure not the Children of men, but they continue senseless under all: the wise man gives the reason of it, Prov. 24. 7. Wisdom is too high for a fool. The saving knowledge and spiritual improvement of these things is out of their reach: It is labour lost to go about to instruct a man that is beside himself: hence it is not in the power of means to work it; none but God who can restore lost man to his wits again, and bring him to himself, is able to give efficacy to any endeavours of this nature, and till then, line upon line, and precept upon precept, are but as so much water spilt upon a rock.

USE, 2. Here we see a reason why the moans of Grace, where they are never so powerfully dispensed, are yet so ineffectual to the conversion of sinners; why convictions fasten ⟨p. 146⟩not, threatnings take not place, promises allure not the Children of men, but they continue sensless under all: the wise man gives the reason of it,