A01980:235
A recovery from apostasy Set out in a sermon preached in Stepney Church near London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the Church, Octob. 21. 1638. By William Gouge D.D. and min. in Black-Friars London Herein is the history of the surprisal and admirable escape of the said penitent.A recovery from apostacy Set out in a sermon preached in Stepny Church neere London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the Church, Octob. 21. 1638. By William Gouge D.D. and min. in Black-Friers London Herein is the history of the surprizall and admirable escape of the said penitent.
London: printed by George Miller for Joshua Kirton, 1639London: printed by George Miller for Ioshua Kirton, 1639
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The grounds are these.
11. The Prodigals mind is renewed: for it is said, verse 17. that h• came to himself. He was before witless and senseless: as a mad man, out of himself.
11. The Prodigalls mind is renewed: for it is said, verse 17. that h• came to himselfe. He was before witlesse and sencelesse: as a mad man, out of himselfe.
2. He discerneth the difference betwixt being in the Church and out of it: which difference he thus expresseth, How many hired servants of my Fathers house have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger?
2. Hee discerneth the difference betwixt being in the Church and out of it: which difference he thus expresseth, How many hired servants of my Fathers house have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger?
3. His resolution is altered. Before, the Church was a prison to him: he must needs wander into a far country, ver. 13. But now he thinks of returning to the Church: I will arise (saith he, ver. 18.) and go to my Father.
3. His resolution is altered. Before, the Church was a prison to him: he must needs wander into a farre countrey, ver. 13. But now he thinkes of returning to the Church: I will arise (saith he, ver. 18.) and goe to my Father.
4. He meditates on a solemn confession of his sin, thus, I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned.
4. Hee meditates on a solemne confession of his sinne, thus, I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned.
5. He aggravateth his sin, in these words, Against heaven, and before thee, that is, openly in the sight of Heaven: and secretly, before God.
5. Hee aggravateth his sinne, in these words, Against heaven, and before thee, that is, openly in the sight of Heaven: and secretly, before God.
6. His heinous sin more troubles him, then his heavy affliction, I have sinned, saith he.
6. His heighnous sinne more troubles him, then his heavie affliction, I have sinned, saith hee.
7. He acknowledgeth his unworthiness, I am no more worthy to be called thy Son, ver. 19.
7. He acknowledgeth his unworthinesse, I am no more worthy to bee called thy Sonne, ver. 19.
8. He humbly contents himself with the meanest place in Gods Church, Make me as one of thy hired servants.
8. He humbly contents himselfe with the meanest place in Gods Church, Make mee as one of thy hired servants.
9. He puts his purpose into practise, He arose and came to his Father.
10. He leaves his former desperate course (He arose) and entereth upon a new course, He came to his Father.
10. He leaves his former desperate course (He arose) and entreth upon a new course, He came to his Father.
These were the evidences of his true penitency.
The benefits thereof were these.
1. His Father takes notice of his intention, when he was yet a great way off, his Father saw him, 1ver. 20.
2. His Fathers bowels are moved at sight of him, He had compassion.
2. His Fathers bowells are mooved at sight of him, He had compassion.
3. His Father upon sight of his true repentance made speed to receive him, He ran.
3. His Father upon sight of his true repentance made speed to receive him, He ranne.
