A66106:712
Mercy magnified on a penitent prodigal, or, A brief discourse
Mercy magnified on a penitent prodigal, or, A brief discourse wherein Christs parable of the lost son found is opened and applied as it was delivered in sundry sermons / by Samuel Willard ...
printed by Samuel Green for Samuel Philips, 1684
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 first expressions of Gods saving love meet the Sinner when he is a great way off: nature doth not prevent Grace, but Grace nature: it is not with God as with humane Fathers, whose hearts are turned with their Children's humble and submissive subjecting themselves to them. Gods Grace indeed appears in receiving the truly penitent, but it is neither moved by their penitence, nor doth it here begin; but it is the first, and leads all the causes of Salvation. By the Grace of God, I here understand all that special good will which he bears to any of the Children of men, in appointing them Heirs of Glory; which Grace first appears to any in particular, when it effectually works for their Salvation: Grace neither is tied to, nor waits for▪ nor is consequent ⟨p. 288⟩upon the natural operations of men. A brief opening of this Doctrine may be couched in a few Propositions.
The first expressions of Gods saving love meet the Sinner when he is a great way off: nature doth not prevent Grace, but Grace nature: it is not with God as with humane Fathers, whose hearts are turned with their Childrens humble and submissive subjecting themselves to them. Gods Grace indeed appears in receiving the truly penitent, but it is neither moved by their penitence, nor doth it here begin; but it is the first, and leads all the causes of Salvation. By the Grace of God, I here understand all that special good will which he bears to any of the Children of men, in appointing them Heirs of Glory; which Grace first appears to any in particular, when it effectually works for their Salvation: Grace neither is tied to, nor waits for▪ nor is consequent ⟨p. 288⟩upon the natural operations of men. A brief opening of this Doctrine may be couched in a few Propositions.
1. The natural man cannot by his natural power move one step towards God: the highest improvements of nature by our own principles, bring us not one foot in our way towards Heaven: the Scripture expressions of mans being dead, impotent, dry bones, a carcass, &c. though Metaphors, yet are not Hyperboles. If by the image of God on man, we understand the sanctification of his nature, fitting him for the service of God, that image is wholly defaced, and there are not so much as any relics of it left: Man is Blind, Deaf, Dumb, Dead.