A66106:868
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.
Answ. Touching the Ministry of the Holy Angels, though the thing be a truth, Heb. 1. 14. Yet the way is more secret: and I verily believe they do more for the Saints than they are aware of, and may be as active in suggestion of that which is good, as satan that which is evil: But I shall not adventure here to particularize, therefore,
2. By these servants we may understand the ⟨p. 344⟩Ministers of the Gospel, who are appointed to this end, to be labourers under Christ for the help of the Elect, and bringing of them to Glory, Eph. 4. 10, 11, 12. these are therefore called Ambassadors for Christ, 2 Cor. 5. 20. Now Ambassadors are the representatives of their Princes, and manage foreign affairs in their name; and these do dispense for Christ the Gospel of Reconciliation. vers. 19. Hence they are called Ministers, and Stewards, 1 Cor. 4. 1. Whose work is to distribute their Masters Estate according to order. They are also called Deacons, 1 Cor. 3. 5. Because as they do by office distribute the outward, so do these the spiritual treasures.
2. By these servants we may understand the ⟨p. 344⟩Ministers of the Gospel, who are appointed to this end, to be labourers under Christ for the help of the Elect, and bringing of them to Glory, Eph. 4. 10, 11, 12. these are therefore called Ambassadours for Christ, 2 Cor. 5. 20. Now Ambassadours are the representatives of their Princes, and manage forreign affairs in their name; and these do dispence for Christ the Gospel of Reconciliation. vers. 19. Hence they are called Ministers, and Stewards, 1 Cor. 4. 1. Whose work is to distribute their Masters Estate according to order. They are also called Deacons, 1 Cor. 3. 5. Because as they do by office distribute the outward, so do these the spiritual treasures.
2. For Confirmation of the Doctrine: The Scripture gives us clear light for this truth; besides that Allegorical direction, Cant. 1. 7, 8. See, Mal. 2. 7: The Priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should ask the Law at his mouth. Which is spoken of Gospel times: besides illustrious examples add confirmation to it; that of Paul, Act. 9: 14: of Cornelius, Act: 10: of the Eunuch, Act: 8: show what care God takes to ratify this way. Though Paul be enlightened and awakened extraordinarily, he must be confirmed and comforted by a Minister: Though an Angel appear to comfort Cornelius and counsel him, yet his instruction and receiving the spirit, must be under Peter's ministry: ⟨p. 345⟩Though God works a miracle upon Philip to bring him to him, yet the Eunuch must receive the Gospel by ordinary means: and the ground is,
2. For Confirmation of the Doctrine: The Scripture gives us clear light for this truth; besides that Allegorical direction, Cant. 1. 7, 8. See, Mal. 2. 7: The Priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should ask the Law at his mouth. Which is spoken of Gospel times: besides illustrious examples add confirmation to it; that of Paul, Act. 9: 14: of Cornelius, Act: 10: of the Eunuch, Act: 8: shew what care God takes to ratifie this way. Though Paul be enlightened and awakened extraordinarily, he must be confirmed and comforted by a Minister: Though an Angel appear to comfort Cornelius and counsel him, yet his instruction and receiving the spirit, must be under Peter's ministry: ⟨p. 345⟩Though God works a miracle upon Philip to bring him to him, yet the Eunuch must receive the Gospel by ordinary means: and the ground is,
1: Negatively; not for want of power in God; he needs not the assistance of Angels or men; he sometimes doth without them; though to keep up and credit his appointed order, it is but seldom.
2: Positively; God doth it:
1: To suit our nature: the People begged that Moses might speak to them: God speaks to us familiarly when he speaks by men like our selves.
2: To honour his servants: it is an honour to any creature to be used by God in any service of his; but to be used in the greatest work, that is so much more; this is it which so elevates Paul, Eph: 3: 8: To me, who am less than the least of all Saints, is this grace given, &c.
USE, 1: For Information,
1: See their folly who, contemning the servants of Christ, expect all their comforts and benefits to come from himself immediately: They scorn to receive the best robe, &c. at the hands of Christ's Servants, but must have it from him without means, though (should God grant us our desire) it is most suitable that his Servants should be helpful in it; yet it ⟨p. 346⟩is a strange frame in a Prodigal, that he will be limiting his Father, and telling him how he shall relieve him, or not at all? What? Can we not see the father's love in the gift, because it is sent by the hand of a Messenger? Well; if God's own way cannot content men, they are like to go without his blessing.
1: See their folly who, contemning the servants of Christ, expect all their comforts and benefits to come from himself immediatly: They scorn to receive the best robe, &c. at the hands of Christ's Servants, but must have it from him without means, though (should God grant us our desire) it is most suitable that his Servants should be helpful in it; yet it ⟨p. 346⟩is a strange frame in a Prodigal, that he will be limiting his Father, and telling him how he shall relieve him, or not at all? What? Can we not see the father's love in the gift, because it is sent by the hand of a Messenger? Well; if God's own way cannot content men, they are like to go without his blessing.
2. That those are likely to receive the greatest manifestations of Gods love to their soul, that are most careful and diligent in giving attendance to the Ordinances. In heaven indeed, we shall derive all immediately from Christ, but upon earth it is otherwise: Hence that promise, Prov. 8. 35, 36. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my Gates, &c. It is vain for men to depend upon immediate revelations; Moses and the Prophets they have, let them use them. Gods way is in his Temple. David desires to dwell in Gods house, there to behold his beauty, Psal. 27. 4. and declares such as do so, to be blessed, because they will still be praising him, Psal. 84. 4. i. e. they will be always finding matter of praise.
2. That those are likely to receive the greatest manifestations of Gods love to their soul, that are most careful and diligent in giving attendance to the Ordinances. In heaven indeed, we shall derive all immediatly from Christ, but upon earth it is otherwise: Hence that promise, Prov. 8. 35, 36. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my Gates, &c. It is vain for men to depend upon immediate revelations; Moses and the Prophets they have, let them use them. Gods way is in his Temple. David desires to dwell in Gods house, there to behold his beauty, Psal. 27. 4. and declares such as do so, to be blessed, because they will still be praising him, Psal. 84. 4. i. e. they will be alwayes finding matter of praise.
USE, For Exhortation: It may advise all such as would receive the spiritual blessings of the Gospel, to make use of the help of Christ's Servants, his Ministers. Do you want help, relief, comfort? repair to them. Though it be true that God only can give it, and all means avail not without his blessing, yet is ⟨p. 347⟩also true, that by them he dispenseth it ordinarily: Now, as the means are appointed by God, so he honours them with the presence and efficacy of his spirit, which else is not to be expected, where there are such advantages. Truth may be the same, spoken by a Minister and another, and yet it may come with more efficacy from such an one, than from another; not from any virtue in him, but from the grace of God, who will thus own his own appointments. Are you in trouble and want help? May you not blame your selves? You say, Alas! What can such an one stead me? I answer, not at all of himself, but God comes where he will, and may justly leave you without the blessing, if you despise his way: Let then the messages of peace be welcome to you; if God sends you comfort by his Servants, do not refuse, but receive it.
USE, For Exhortation: It may advise all such as would receive the spiritual blessings of the Gospel, to make use of the help of Christ's Servants, his Ministers. Do you want help, relief, comfort? repair to them. Though it be true that God only can give it, and all means avail not without his blessing, yet is ⟨p. 347⟩also true, that by them he dispenseth it ordinarily: Now, as the means are appointed by God, so he honours them with the presence and efficacy of his spirit, which else is not to be expected, where there are such advantages. Truth may be the same, spoken by a Minister and another, and yet it may come with more efficacy from such an one, than from another; not from any vertue in him, but from the grace of God, who will thus own his own appointments. Are you in trouble and want help? May you not blame your selves? You say, Alas! What can such an one stead me? I answer, not at all of himself, but God comes where he will, and may justly leave you without the blessing, if you dispise his way: Let then the messages of peace be welcome to you; if God sends you comfort by his Servants, do not refuse, but receive it.
We do not here observe that the Father is mentioned to say any thing, to his humble son, weeping out his confessions to him in his arms; but he calls for his servants, and commands them presently to do for him, that which shall ⟨p. 348⟩be a real testimony of his entire love: What is done for him shall speak his affection better than ten thousand complemental professions.
USE, This may show us the difference between God and men: These make many proffers and protestations: say be fed, be clothed; but mean while the needy creature may perish for all them: But now God seeing a miserable soul in distress, he takes it up into his arms, gives him what he wants, cloths his nakedness, feeds his hunger, takes away his disgrace. It may also direct us in clearing up our evidences; you are ready to say, could I but hear or understand him to speak to me in this or that promise, it would greatly satisfy my doubts; but I reply, is there not a convincing language in deeds? and do you find that to be wrought in you which the promise speaks of? is there suitable spiritual supply brought into your souls? Do you find that there which answers your wants? and shall not this satisfy and certify you of your fathers love, and your interest in the Promise: Nay, you may safely thus argue the case, could he do this for me if he loved me not? Am I not dealt with as a son, and shall I any longer doubt of my sonship.
USE, This may shew us the difference between God and men: These make many proffers and protestations: say be fed, be clothed; but mean while the needy creature may perish for all them: But now God seeing a miserable soul in distress, he takes it up into his arms, gives him what he wants, cloths his nakedness, feeds his hunger, takes away his disgrace. It may also direct us in clearing up our evidences; you are ready to say, could I but hear or understand him to speak to me in this or that promise, it would greatly satisfie my doubts; but I reply, is there not a convincing language in deeds? and do you find that to be wrought in you which the promise speaks of? is there suitable spiritual supply brought into your souls? Do you find that there which answers your wants? and shall not this satisfie and certifie you of your fathers love, and your interest in the Promise: Nay, you may safely thus argue the case, could he do this for me if he loved me not? Am I not dealt with as a son, and shall I any longer doubt of my sonship.
This is expressed, vers. 24. under two resemblances, wherein the state of man before and after conversion is opposed;
