The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of _that_ to bring us
to the Saviour; let us therefore, with the prodigal, return unto him, and
we shall find ease and rest.
A returning penitent, though formerly bad as the worst of men, may by
grace become as good as the best.
To be truly sensible of sin, is to sorrow for _displeasing_ of God: to be
afflicted, that he is displeased _by us_ more than that he is displeased
_with_ us.
Your intentions to repentance, and the neglect of that soul-saving duty,
will rise up in judgment against you.
Repentance carries with it a _divine rhetoric_, and persuades Christ to
forgive multitudes of sins committed against him.
Say not to thyself, to-morrow I will repent; for it is thy duty to do it
daily.
The gospel of grace and salvation is above all doctrine the most
dangerous, if it be received in _word_ only by graceless men; if it be
not attended with a sensible need of a Saviour, and bring them to him;
for such men only as have the _notion_ of it, are of all men most
miserable; for by reason of their knowing more than heathens, this shall
only be their final portion, that they shall have greater stripes.