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

1. That he that would have any encouragement to wait on God for grace, must seek it in ⟨p. 195⟩God alone and not in himself. The throughly awakened sinner must indeed look both on God and himself too; but he must see in himself nothing but ground of despair, and all his hope in God, Hos. 13. 9. This therefore dasheth their hopes, who would fain find in themselves that which may encourage them; and are therefore made to despond, by their unworthiness, the greatness of their sin, &c. this also may encourage those that see the worst in themselves, none like them for sin and misery; why God is the same.

1. That he that would have any encouragement to wait on God for grace, must seek it in ⟨p. 195⟩God alone and not in himself. The throughly awakened sinner must indeed look both on God and himself too; but he must see in himself nothing but ground of dispair, and all his hope in God, Hos. 13. 9. This therefore dasheth their hopes, who would fain find in themselves that which may encourage them; and are therefore made to despond, by their unworthiness, the greatness of their sin, &c. this also may encourage those that see the worst in themselves, none like them for sin and misery; why God is the same.

2. That they lay blocks in the way of their own conversion, that only sit poring upon their own misery, and look no further: What good would it have done the poor Prodigal, to have only sat, and wrung his hands, and cried, I perish, I perish? If he had looked no farther he had perished indeed. Though we must begin here, yet we must not end here, but look further for encouragement. The distressed man's enquiry is, where shall I have help? and so must yours, and now the spirit of grace is ready to direct you to one that is both able and full. therefore,