A92856:279
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.
1. A secret favouring of sin. As long as your hearts cunningly connive at, and harbour your lusts (those evil Inmates) 1you will never throughly come to a Resolution to cast them off. For love will untwist many arguments, and prevail against strong Motives; it will let down your mind, as fast as reasons do raise it up. It is the best Friend, and strongest Advocate that sin hath. You see a Parent (perhaps David against Absalom) resolved to exile his Child from his presence; but natural affection turned him, and wrought so, after a while, that David longs for Absalom again. As a Spring will work out that which is cast in; so will a secret affection to sin, work off the impression of all Arguments, ⟨p. 98⟩and any such preposterous Resolves against sin.
- 1A secret favouring of sin.A secret fa•ouring of sin.
2. A tenderness or delicacy of spirit: I mean, an inordinate 1self-love: Love of sin, and so also the love of our selves, both of them are adversaries to a penitential Resolution: If a man will go to Heaven asleep, have his ease, and his friends, and his liberty, and his safeties, and his quiet, and his pleasures, and great matters, he will never come to a through Resolution. God likes no such bargain, no condition; as, I am willing to serve thee, but I am resolved never to suffer for thee; I will be good, if I may be safe; I will go to sea, but on condition I shall meet with no storms; I will enter into the war, but on condition that I will have no blows. We must be at a point for all things except what is good, if we be resolved to be good indeed; no, not Life it self must be dearer to us, than that which is far better than Life.