( 4 )
this contrition for sorrow and sin, a beginning of repentance? then it must needs be of great necessity to salvation; for without repentance there is no salvation.
Now, that something may be hinted to put sinners in a way to this unfeigned sorrow, let me beg of you, in the bowels of love, earnestly desiring your souls welfare to meditate seriously on these three things, which will (if set home by the spirit of God) help you to the after work, even hearty sorrow and true contrition.
I. Look over your life past, and labour to see the mercy, goodness, and patience of God, that hath been abused and despised by that unkind dealing of yours. Oh souls! remember the days of old, and reckon up God’s gracious dealings with you. Were you ever in want, who supplied you? Were you ever in weakness, who strengthened you? In sickness, who cured you. In miseries, who succoured you? In poverty, who relieved you? Was it not the Lord? And how can you forget. him, who forgot not you in your low estate? Will you reward the Lord thus? What shall I say of you? Hear, O heavens! and hearken O earth! The ox
