A66106:949
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.
Reas. 1. From their incapacity; they are not in a state and condition to be feasted: joys and feasts are for the living, and not for the dead; whereas these men are not alive: they are painted sepulchres, but full of dead mens bones, they are really dead, though seemingly alive.
Reas. 2. Because the dispensation of God's special love and favour are not Legal, but Evangelical dispensations. God doth nothing for any of Adam's sinful progeny for the sake of their righteousness, but only of his free grace as long therefore as men boast of their doings they may do all their lives long, and God n• whit regard so as to accept of them: the proud Pharisee is not justified.
USE, 1. To teach us that when man hath done his utmost, still grace is free, and not owing to him: The father had not been unkind, much less injurious to his son, though he served him, and he killed no kid for him: God owes not conversion, nor the benefits that come by it to our endeavours.
USE, 1. To teach us that when man hath done his utmost, still grace is free, and not owing to him: The father had not been unkind, much less injurious to his son, though he served him, and he killed no kid for him: God ows not conversion, nor the benefits that come by it to our endeavours.
USE, 2. Hence wonder not if many Professors in the visible Church are lifeless, and sapless, hold no spiritual communion with Jesus Christ: It is not to be wondered at, if we consider how great difference and distance there is between being a son in the visible family, and a son received into special grace, and favour with his father.
USE, 2. Hence wonder not if many Professors in the visible Church are lifeless, and sapless, hold no spiritual communion with Jesus Christ: It is not to be wondred at, if we consider how great difference and distance there is between being a son in the visible family, and a son received into special grace, and favour with his father.
USE, 3. It may also teach us to beware that we rely not upon our selves and our duties, but to renounce all, and fly to the Grace of God in Christ, that is the only way to come by, and be partakers in special and soul refreshing grace.
How eloquent is the elder son in rehearsing the wickedness of his brother? but not a word of his repentance. They love to remember ⟨p. 376⟩what the Saints were, not what they are; if in their youth they have been vain, profuse, prodigal, this shall never be forgotten; but their reformation, deep sorrow, and sincere repentance shall never be taken notice of; they are like Scarabees that live upon dung hills, and suck nothing but corruption, like flies that live upon sores: And this they do,
How eloquent is the elder son in rehearsing the wickedness of his brother? but not a word of his repentance. They love to remember ⟨p. 376⟩what the Saints were, not what they are; if in their youth they have been vain, profuse, prodigal, this shall never be forgotten; but their reformation, deep sorrow, and sincere repentance shall never be taken notice of; they are like Scaribees that live upon dung hils, and suck nothing but corruption, like flyes that live upon sores: And this they do,
1. In enmity against the grace of God: The eldest son doth it to cast a blemish upon his fathers kindness, as if he therefore favoured such wickedness: When one objected against Beza, some wanton youthful Poems, he said, Hic homo invidet mihi gratiam Dei.
2. To justify themselves, they hope by this means to gain the better reputation, they that have no real goodness of their own, think to shine by comparison: I am not as this Publican.
2. To justifie themselves, they hope by this means to gain the better reputation, they that have no real goodness of their own, think to shine by comparison: I am not as this Publican.
USE, To teach those that are the People of God to avoid this frame of spirit: Consider not what the People of God were, but what they are; if they have been Prodigals, yet if now they are Converts, acknowledge the grace of God, and magnify it: If God hath blotted his sins out of his book of remembrance, do not you record them: Remember, if you your selves have not been such in your outward conversation, you had as bad hearts, and it was only restraining grace that did pervert you, else your like natures had appeared in as bad actions: ⟨p. 377⟩Be sure consider always that it is the grace of God by which you are what you are; be not envious at them, but labour to strengthen your faith by their example: Think how glorious a God you serve, that is able to pass by and pardon such sins; trust him the more, love him the better, rely on him with the greater confidence.
USE, To teach those that are the People of God to avoid this frame of spirit: Consider not what the People of God were, but what they are; if they have been Prodigals, yet if now they are Converts, acknowledge the grace of God, and magnifie it: If God hath blotted his sins out of his book of remembrance, do not you record them: Remember, if you your selves have not been such in your outward conversation, you had as bad hearts, and it was only restraining grace that did prevert you, else your like natures had appeared in as bad actions: ⟨p. 377⟩Be sure consider alwayes that it is the grace of God by which you are what you are; be not envious at them, but labour to strengthen your faith by their example: Think how glorious a God you serve, that is able to pass by and pardon such sins; trust him the more, love him the better, rely on him with the greater confidence.
God finds the Prodigal in his far Country; his eldest brother is at home, and yet past by. In our Saviours time there were more Publicans converted than Scribes and Pharisees; afterwards the Heathen Gentiles came flocking in upon the preaching of the Gospel by the Apostles, whiles the Jews obstinately refused it: So true is that of our Saviour, Luk. 13. 28, 29, 30. Mat. 21. 31, 32. The Publicans and the Harlots go into the Kingdom of God before you, &c.
God finds the Prodigal in his far Country; his eldest brother is at home, and yet past by. In our Saviours time there were more Publicans converted than Scribes and Pharisees; afterwards the Heathen Gentiles came flocking in upon the preaching of the Gospel by the Apostles, whiles the Jews obstinately refused it: So true is that of our Saviour, Luk. 13. 28, 29, 30. Mat. 21. 31, 32. The Publicans and the Harlots go into the Kingdome of God before you, &c.
Reas. 1. From the deep interest of self in a legal Professor: The profane persons sins are almost convincible; whereas the other thinks his righteousness to be of great worth, and is ⟨p. 378⟩not easily persuaded of the unprofitableness of it, Rom. 9. 31, 32.
Reas. 1. From the deep interest of self in a legal Professor: The profane persons sins are almost convincible; whereas the other thinks his righteousness to be of great worth, and is ⟨p. 378⟩not easily perswaded of the unprofitableness of it, Rom. 9. 31, 32.
Reas. From the wisdom of God, to make his free grace thus the more manifest, The more profuse any have been, the more visible and observable is that grace which is made to appear to be in them: The Physician gets no credit by administering to one that thinks himself well already; the more desperate the disease is apprehended, the more eminent is the cure acknowledged to be, Luk. 5. 31.
Reas. From the wisdom of God, to make his free grace thus the more manifest, The more profuse any have been, the more visible and observable is that grace which is made to appear to be in them: The Physitian gets no credit by administring to one that thinks himself well already; the more desperate the disease is apprehended, the more eminent is the cure acknowledged to be, Luk. 5. 31.
USE, 1. To awaken carnal Professors; you may easily be cheated: Why are you no more concerned with the awakening means which you enjoy? you think your selves to be whole and sound, and these warnings are for the vain and profane; beware! you may be lost, when those whom you despise may be saved.
USE, 2. To advise us not to despair of, but to pray for the worst sinners: God both knows how to magnify his mercy upon them, and not only so, but is often pleased to single out these to make illustrious monuments of his saving grace, despair not then of them, but pray hard for them, that they may be converted, and believe.
USE, 2. To advise us not to despair of, but to pray for the worst sinners: God both knows how to magnifie his mercy upon them, and not only so, but is often pleased to single out these to make illustrious monuments of his saving grace, despair not then of them, but pray hard for them, that they may be converted, and believe.
