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

1. As long as a sinner hath any thing at home, he minds not nor regards God, but saith to the Almighty, depart; men that have supplies within doors will not go abroad, and ⟨p. 194⟩knock at other doors for relief: Hence, to a proud and carnally confident sinner it is no encouragement, that God hath bread enough, and is ready to distribute it to such as come and ask it, for what is that to him who needs it not, who is full, and wants for nothing? He feels himself well and lusty, the Physician may go about his business he hath no need of him.

1. As long as a sinner hath any thing at home, he minds not nor regards God, but saith to the Almighty, depart; men that have supplies within doors will not go abroad, and ⟨p. 194⟩knock at other doors for relief: Hence, to a proud and carnally confident sinner it is no encouragement, that God hath bread enough, and is ready to distribute it to such as come and ask it, for what is that to him who needs it not, who is full, and wants for nothing? He feels himself well and lusty, the Physitian may go about his business he hath no need of him.

2. Hence also these encouragements are not nextly and immediately exhibited to sinners, till they come to this stare and sense: The Gospel is not properly preached to men till they are prepared for it by the Law: Christ therefore saith, that he did not come to call the righteous: i. e. men rich with the opinion of their own sanctity; but sinners, i. e. such as were sensible of sin. It is the hunger-bitten soul that longs for bread, the faint and thirsty that hearkens after springs of water. Christ propound his Grace to souls when it is like to be welcome: these therefore are wont to go together, sense of utmost distress, and a discovery of the riches and readiness of Christ for succour; the first of these without the second breeds despair, the second without the first meets with scorn and contempt,