A92856:239
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.
2. If it work in him humiliation for sin; we read of Peter 1that he considered, or thought on the words of Jesus (and through them, of his great sin in the denial of master) but how did he consider of them? What, only by his simple reflection, that Christ had forewarned him, and that he had done evil in denying him? Surely thus he thought, but the matter went further then his thoughts; he considered it in an affecting, or rather, in an afflicting way; for the Text saith, That when he had thought thereon, he went out and wept bitterly. There is a fourfold consideration of sin: One is only a consideration of sin; when a man thinks of sin as he hears a Sermon, hear it only: so, think of it only, and that's all; this is an empty consideration. Another is, a sinful consideration only; when a man considers of sin in a sinful way, either to boast of it, or to excite his heart to more delight and propension to sin; this is a guilty consideration. A third is a Judicial consideration, which ariseth from the promptings and suggestions of a conscience awakened, now accusing, and condemning, and pursuing the sinner, both with the remembrance of former sins, and with the evidence of Gods present and future indignation. A fourth is, a Penitential consideration; wherein, upon the evidence of sinning, the soul is sensible, not to despair, which breeds hopeless terror, yet to repentance, wherein it is exceedingly grieved, and troubled, and displeased for the sins committed. If the consideration of sin be a dry act, such an act as sets where it riseth (only in the mind) and hath no influence upon the affections; if it be not a sympathizing act (.i.) such an act as works ⟨p. 80⟩grief in the soul, as well as discovery of evil in the mind, it is but a vain thing and never conduceth to repentance; for as it is with mercies received, unless the apprehension of their kindness and goodness descends to the affections, they never stir up thankfulness; and as it is with the promises, unless their excellency and suitableness come down from the mind to the will, they never excite faith: so is it with sin; unless, besides the consideration of it, there be not an operation and influence upon the heart to grieve and mourn, it will never prove right and penitential.
2. If it work in him humiliation for sin; we read of Peter