A92856:106
The parable of the prodigal. Containing, The riotous prodigal, or The sinners aversion from…
The parable of the prodigal. Containing, The riotous prodigal, or The sinners aversion from God. Returning prodigal, or The penitents conversion to God. Prodigals acceptation, or Favourable entertainment with God. Delivered in divers sermons on Luke 15. from vers. 11. to vers. 24. By that faithful servant of Jesus Christ Obadiah Sedgwick, B.D. Perfected by himself, and perused by those whom he entrusted with the publishing of his works.The parable of the prodigal. Containing, The riotous prodigal, or The sinners aversion from God. Returning prodigal, or The penitents conversion to God. Prodigals acceptation, or Favourable entertainment with God. Delivered in divers sermons on Luke 15. from vers. 11. to vers. 24. By that faithfull servant of Jesus Christ Obadiah Sedgwick, B.D. Perfected by himself, and perused by those whom he intrusted with the publishing of his works.
London: printed by D. Maxwel for Sa. Gellibrand, 1660
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.
4. Lastly, Miseries do not always bring men off from their sins, 1because Men hate holiness and a godly life, more then miseries: (i.) There is a greater contrariety twixt their sinful natures and holiness, then twixt them and miseries; it is confessed, that misery, in some respect, is contrary to nature, at least to the peace and ease of nature; yet misery is not so distastefully contrary to a wicked nature, as holiness and godliness. Sin can live and rule whiles the sinner is under misery, but it never can do so when he is under grace. You know that a man never can turn from sin, but when he loves holiness; now holiness is that which many a sinful heart, like Paul before his conversion, persecutes to the death. Why! if some sinful hearts will venture the loss of heaven, rather then they will be holy, will they not rather then endure the loss of friends and estate? &c. and if they will adventure the pains of hell rather then they will come off unto an holy life, will they not rather endure some temporal distresses? &c. and doth not this show, that some had rather be passive in misery, then active in holiness?
4. Lastly, Miseries do not always bring men off from their sins, 1because Men hate holiness and a godly life, more then miseries: (i.) There is a greater contrariety twixt their sinfull natures and holiness, then twixt them and miseries; it is confessed, that misery, in some respect, is contrary to nature, at least to the peace and ease of nature; yet misery is not so distastfully contrary to a wicked nature, as holiness and godliness. Sin can live and rule whiles the sinner is under misery, but it never can do so when he is under grace. You know that a man never can turn from sin, but when he loves holiness; now holiness is that which many a sinfull heart, like Paul before his conversion, persecutes to the death. Why! if some sinfull hearts will venure the loss of heaven, rather then they will be holy, will they not rather then endure the loss of friends and estate? &c. and if they will adventure the pains of hell rather then they will come off unto an holy life, will they not rather endure some temporal distresses? &c. and doth not this shew, that some had rather be passive in misery, then active in holiness?