A92856:24
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.
3. But the third and general opinion is, that by the elder Son is meant the Scribes and Pharisees, (and under them any Justitiaries) persons too conceited and confident of their own works, service, righteousness, as this elder Son who had been (as he said) thus long in his Fathers house and never transgressed any of his Commandments, but served him carefully; which indeed was the opinion of the Scribes and Pharisees, who trusted to and boasted of their own righteousness: And that by the younger Son is meant the Publicans and Sinners, persons more notoriously riotous and infamous in sinning, utterly forsaking of God, as it were, and living without him. And the end of this Parable was to convince the proud and envious Scribes and Pharisees, (who in vers. 1. and 2. of this Chapter, murmured against Christ for receiving Publicans and Sinners:) Now Christ tells them, that though these notorious sinners were despised by them, yet he came to call them to repentance, and that God would be most indulgent and gracious to them; though they had been great transgressors, yet now being penitent, he would receive them into singular mercy and favour, and that with much joy; and therefore little reason had they to snarl at his respect and desires towards Publicans and great sinners. Thus for the scope of the Parable, which is, To declare the singular readiness of God in and through Christ, even to receive the most notorious sinners, proving penitent.
3. But the third and general opinion is, that by the elder Son is meant the Scribes and Pharisees, (and under them any Justitiaries) persons too conceited and confident of their own works, service, righteousness, as this elder Son who had been (as he said) thus long in his Fathers house and never transgrassed any of his Commandments, but served him carefully; which indeed was the opinion of the Scribes and Pharisees, who trusted to and boasted of their own righteousness: And that by the younger Son is meant the Publicans and Sinners, persons more notoriously riotous and infamous in sinning, utterly forsaking of God, as it were, and living without him. And the end of this Parable was to convince the proud and envious Scribes and Pharisees, (who in vers. 1. and 2. of this Chapter, murmured against Christ for receiving Publicans and Sinners:) Now Christ tells them, that though these notorious sinners were despised by them, yet he came to call them to repentance, and that God would be most indalgent and gracious to them; though they had been great transgrassors, yet now being penitent, he would receive them into singular mercy and favour, and that with much joy; and therefore little reason had they to snarl at his respect and desires towards Publicans and great sinners. Thus for the scope of the Parable, which is, To declare the singular readiness of God in and through Christ, even to receive the most notorious sinners, proving penitent.