A92856:252
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.
LUKE 15. 18. I will arise, and go to my Father.
These words contain in them, the other fundamental part of Repentance appearing in the Prodigal, viz. The Resolution of his Will. To apprehend evil, is something; but to leave it, is the 1safest thing; to see a better condition, shows that the eye is opened, but to go to our Father, this shows that the heart is changed. This Resolution of the Prodigal, is set forth, partly by the 1. Matter of it, which is very complete; it contains as much as Repentance 2requires, (Surgam & ibo,) I will arise, I will go. St. Austin is something facetious upon the words; Surgam, I will arise, quia jacebat, for the Prodigal was down before: Sin is a fall, and Repentance is a rising: and ibo, I will go to my Father, quia longe aberat, for the Prodigal was far from home: Sin is a long travel, a wandering rather; and Repentance is a sweet returning: We go abroad when we sin, we come home when we repent. And Chrysostom upon Ibo ad patrem, I will go home to my Father, wittily compares the motions of Repentance to those of a journey. That though which I do most conjecture at in the words, is, The Prodigals complete Resolution for the matter of Repentance. Repentance is a motion twixt two terms, and is made of Aversio and Conversio; Aversion from a sinful course, and that is in Surgam, I will arise; Conversion to God, and this is in Ibo ad patrem, I will go to my Father. 2. The Manner or Form of it: It is not votum, a wish, nor yet velleitas, a woulding, 3nor yet volitia de futuro, I will hereafter: But his Resolution to arise and to go home, is as complete as the Matter on which he doth resolve; I will arise, I will go: It was a strong and peremptory and present Resolution. 3. The Motive or Inducement to it, and that is in the word [my Father.] The apprehensions of a Father, 4