Thematic Bible: To backsliders
Thematic Bible
Mercy » Should be shown » To backsliders
Having risen I will go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: and I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And having risen, he came to his father. And he being yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and having run, fell upon his neck, and kissed him copiously.
This punishment which for many to such a one is sufficient; so on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one may be swallowed up with excessive grief. Therefore I exhort you to stir up your divine love for him: