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

2. It is a constant work: the practice of Repentance is not a transient but a permanent act: he that begins right in the work of Repentance, holds on all his life: Paul quickens his Colossians to the work of Mortification after a long standing in Christ, Col.3.5. there is Sin in Believers all their life, and so much Sin, so much distance from God; they had need then to be turning all their days. The true Christian is in his way, travelling out of his far Country, and he cannot sit still till he be gotten to Heaven.

2. It is a constant work: the practice of Repentance is not a transient but a permanent act: he that begins right in the work of Repentance, holds on all his life: Paul quickens his Colossians to the work of Mortification after a long standing in Christ, Col.3.5. there is Sin in Believers all their life, and so much Sin, so much distance from God; they had need then to be turning all their dayes. The true Christian is in his way, travelling out of his far Countrey, and he cannot sit still till he be gotten to Heaven.

3. It is an industrious work: when a thing is difficult, he that is in good earnest will take pains: it is not light skirmishes, but a warfare that must accomplish this business: his life therefore is an agony, he attends on the word […] diligence, prays with all importunity, as one that is oppressed, Isai. 38. 14. sets a strict ⟨p. 280⟩watch over his heart and life, looks to his ways, flies from temptations, endeavours that every step of his life may be a step farther from sin, and nearer to God, and in this race he runs as fast as he can.

3. It is an industrious work: when a thing is difficult, he that is in good earnest will take pains: it is not light skirmishes, but a warfare that must accomplish this business: his life therefore is an agony, he attends on the word diligence, prayes with all importunity, as one that is oppressed,