If it be little, that men and Angels would rejoice at thy Conversion, know that God himself would rejoice over thee, even with singing, and rest in his love, Luke 15. 9. Isaiah. 62. 5. ⟨p. 187⟩Never did old Jacob with such joy weep over the neck of his Joseph, as thy heavenly Father would rejoice over thee, upon thy coming in to him. Look over the story of the Prodigal. Methinks I see how the aged Fathers lays aside his state, and forgets his years: behold how he runneth! Luke 15. 20. Oh the hast that mercy makes! The sinner makes not half that speed. Methinks I see how his bowels turn, how his compassions yearn. (How quick sighted is love!) Mercy spies him a great way off, forgets his rigorous courses, unnatural rebellion, horrid unthankfulness, debauched practices, (not a word of those) but receives him with open arms, clasps about his neck, forgets the nastiness of his rags, kisses the lips that deserve to be loathed, the lips that had been joined to harlots, that had been commoners with the swine, calls for the fatted Calf, the best Robe, the ring, the shoos, the best cheer in Heavens store, the best attire in Heavens Wardrobe, &c. yea the joy cannot be held in one breast; Luke 15. 6, 9, 23. others must be called to participate, the friends must meet and make merry. Angels must wait, but the Prodigal must be set at the Table under his Fathers wing. He is the joy of the feast: he is the sweet subject of the Fathers delight. The friends sympathize, but none knows the felicity the father takes in his new born son; whom he hath received from the dead. Methinks I hear the music and the dancing, at a distance. Oh the melody of the Heavenly Choristers! I cannot learn the song, Rev. 14. 3. but methinks I over-hear ⟨p. 188⟩the burden, at which all the harmonious quire with one consent strikes sweetly in, for thus goes the round at Heavens table, For this my son was dead, and is alive again; was lost and is found, Luke 15. 23, 24, 32. I need not farther explain the parable. God is the Father, Christ the cheer, his righteousness the robe, his graces the ornaments, Ministers, Saints, Angels the friends and servants, and thou that readest (if thou wilt but unfeignedly repent and turn) the welcome Prodigal, the happy instance of all this grace, and the blessed subject of this joy and love.
If it be little, that men and Angels would rejoyce at thy Conversion, know that God himself would rejoyce over thee, even with singing, and rest in his love, Luke 15. 9. Esay. 62. 5. ⟨p. 187⟩Never did old Iacob with such joy weep over the neck of his Ioseph, as thy heavenly Father would rejoyce over thee, upon thy comming in to him. Look over the story of the Prodigal. Methinks I see how the aged Fathers laies aside his state, and forgets his years: behold how he runneth! Luke 15. 20. Oh the hast that mercy makes! The sinner makes not half that speed. Methinks I see how his bowels turn, how his compassions yearn. (How quick sighted is love!) Mercy spies him a great way off, forgets his rigorous courses, unnatural rebellion, horrid unthankfulness, debauched practices, (not a word of those) but receives him with open arms, clasps about his neck, forgets the nastiness of his rags, kisses the lips that deserve to be loathed, the lips that had been joyned to harlots, that had been commoners with the swine, calls for the fatted Calf, the best Robe, the ring, the shoos, the best cheer in Heavens store, the best attire in Heavens Wardrobe, &c. yea the joy cannot be held in one breast; Luke 15. 6, 9, 23. others must be called to participate, the friends must meet and make merry. Angels must wait, but the Prodigal must be set at the Table under his Fathers wing. He is the joy of the feast: he is the sweet subject of the Fathers delight. The friends sympathize, but none knows the felicity the father takes in his new born son; whom he hath received from the dead. Methinks I hear the musik and the dancing, at a distance. Oh the melody of the Heavenly Choristers! I cannot learn the song, Rev. 14. 3. but methinks I over-hear ⟨p. 188⟩the burden, at which all the harmonious quire with one consent strikes sweetly in, for thus goes the round at Heavens table, For this my son was dead, and is alive again; was lost and is found, Luke 15. 23, 24, 32. I need not farther explain the parable. God is the Father, Christ the cheer, his righteousness the robe, his graces the ornaments, Ministers, Saints, Angels the friends and servants, and thou that readest (if thou wilt but unfeignedly repent and turn) the welcom Prodigal, the happy instance of all this grace, and the blessed subject of this joy and love.
