A92856:132
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.
The mercy of God which drew off the wrath, and though it might have been a destroying sword at once, that destruction should not have risen up the second time, yet it so wrought with the master, that he would try the sinner yet a little longer, thou mightst have been among the dead, yea among the damned for thy former sinnings, yet mercy hath so tempered justice, that time is left thee to repent, and this space thou abusest to sin again; yea, though justice met with thee for them already, yea though mercy released thee yet a little longer, yea though thou didst confess these sins, yea though thou wert greatly troubled for these sins, yea though thou didst resolve against these sins; and if thou thus sinnest more, will not thy punishment be greater? Doth not God hate sins now as well as then? Or if thou be greater in transgressions, will he be less in justice? Canst thou expect mercy should come more easily, when sin is raised more deeply. He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck (saith Solomon, Prov. 29. 1.) shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy: The same may be affirmed of being punished; usually perseverance in sin after punishment, brings a sudden and a sore destruction. God hath many arrows which fly over the heads, and after that he hath arrows to wound the hearts of his enemies. You know that there be not only warning-pieces, but murdering-pieces in the royal artillery. The punishment which a man hath already felt for his sins, are but so many warning-pieces to repent, to return from sin; but if men will harden their hearts, there are murdering-pieces; God can so deeply strike, that destruction shall not rise up the second time.
The mercy of God which drew off the wrath, and though it might have been a destroying sword at once, that destruction should not have risen up the second time, yet it so wrought with the master, that he would try the sinner yet a little longer, thou mightst have been among the dead, yea among the damned for thy former sinnings, yet mercy hath so tempered justice, that time is left thee to repent, and this space thou abusest to sin again; yea, though justice met with thee for them already, yea though mercy released thee yet a little longer, yea though thou didst confess these sins, yea though thou wert greatly troubled for these sins, yea though thou didst resolve against these sins; and if thou thus sinnest more, will not thy punishment be greater? Doth not God hate sins now as well as then? Or if thou be greater in transgressions, will he be less in justice? Canst thou expect mercy should come more easily, when sin is raised more deeply. He that being often reproved hardneth his neck (saith Solomon,