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

This Doctrine doth not blame men for resolving and promising, but for doing no more, for sitting still and thinking they have done sufficient: beware then of resting here: ask your hearts on what grounds they purposed, & if good, why then do they not perform them? Heaven will not be won with a few empty ⟨p. 281⟩wishes, and faint promises; but there must be wrestling, striving, overcoming: the Son promised his Father to go and work in the Vineyard, but went not, and what did that promise come to? God will not be so mocked.

2. It plainly condemns such as have relinquished or abandoned their resolutions: they promised Repentance, & practise impenitence: how many in affliction have engaged to God, to leave off their vain courses, and no longer follow foolish things, they would arise and return to God, and if he would give opportunity they would make it appear; but after a little while they get the mastery over their convictions, still their Consciences lick their wounds whole; now are their resolutions buried, their promises forgotten, their old ways please them again, and so the Dog returns to his vomit. Let such consider,

2. It plainly condemns such as have relinquished or abandoned their resolutions: they promised Repentance, & practise impenitence: how many in affliction have engaged to God, to leave off their vain courses, and no longer follow foolish things, they would arise and return to God, and if he would give opportunity they would make it appear; but after a little while they get the mastery over their convictions, still their Consciences lick their wounds whole; now are their resolutions buried, their promises forgotten, their old wayes please them again, and so the Dog returns to his vomit. Let such consider,