A66106:726
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.
3. The reason why the means convert at one time, and not at another; and one man and not another. Many a powerful Sermon, awakening Providence, &c. pass, and the man still goeth on frowardly in his ways, but at last, that which seems to be in it self of less efficacy, awakens, melts, humbleth, healeth the Soul: but this is when Grace begins to work, and that, only that, is irresistible, man's sinful heart is too hard for every thing else; and this is done when and where God pleaseth, John 3. 8.
3. The reason why the means convert at one time, and not at another; and one man and not another. Many a powerful Sermon, awakening Providence, &c. pass, and the man still goeth on frowardly in his wayes, but at last, that which seems to be in it self of less efficacy, awakens, melts, humbleth, healeth the Soul: but this is when Grace begins to work, and that, only that, is irresistible, man's sinful heart is too hard for every thing else; and this is done when and where God pleaseth, John 3. 8.
4. That no man can lay any engagement upon God to do him any good. No man can be too soon for him: we cannot stir till he moves us; we can do nothing for him, till he first doth for us, and in us: and hence those whom God passeth by, and leaves in their sin, have no just ground of complaint, which if they could do any thing first to oblige God, they might have a show for.
4. That no man can lay any engagement upon God to do him any good. No man can be too soon for him: we cannot stir till he moves us; we can do nothing for him, till he first doth for us, and in us: and hence those whom God passeth by, and leaves in their sin, have no just ground of complaint, which if they could do any thing first to oblige God, they might have a shew for.