wouldst satisfy thyself withal. When God had a mind to make the
prodigal go home to his father, he sent a famine upon him, and denied
him a bellyful of the husks which the swine did eat. And observe it,
now he was in a strait, he betook him to consideration of the good
that there was in his father's house; yea, he resolved to go home to
his father, and his father dealt well with him; he received him with
music and dancing, because he had received him safe and sound; Luke
xv. 14-32.

6. Hast then any enticing thoughts of the word of God upon thy mind?
Doth, as it were, some holy word of God give a glance upon thee, cast
a smile upon thee, let fall, though it be but one drop of its savour
upon thy spirit; yea, though it stays but one moment with thee? O
then the day of grace is not past! The gate of heaven is not shut!
nor God's heart and bowels withdrawn from thee as yet. Take heed,
therefore, and beware that thou make much of the heavenly gift, and
of that good word of God of the which he has made thee taste.
Beware, I say, and take heed; there may be a falling away for all
this; but, I say, as yet God has not left thee, as yet he has not
cast thee off; Heb. vi. 1-9.

Secondly, With respect to thy desires, what are they? Wouldst thou
be saved! Wouldst thou be saved with a thorough salvation? Wouldst
thou be saved from guilt and filth too? Wouldst thou be the servant
of thy Saviour? Art thou indeed weary of the service of thy old
master the devil, sin, and the world? And have these desires put thy
soul to flight? Hast thou through desires betaken thyself to thy
heels? Dost fly to him that is a Saviour from the wrath to come, for
life? If these be thy desires, and if they be unfeigned, fear not.
Thou art one of those runaways which God has commanded our Lord to