A92856:305
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.
It is Humble, and not 1proud (as Benhadad's servants, with ropes, &c.) done with Contrition of Heart, not with Ostentation of Spirit. Like a flash of Lightning, breaks out of a cloud rented; and Josephs garment was showed to his father rent and dipped in blood. Anciently, when they did confess their sins to God, they did it with Sackcloth and Ashes; and the opening of their sins is termed, The pouring out of water before the Lord (I am vile, Job 40. 4. Not worthy, &c. Luke 15.) because when they p•ured out their sins in confession of Tongue, they likewise poured out contrition of Heart; their tears of Grief, spake as much as the words of their Lips: I will declare mine Iniquities, and be sorry for my sin, Psal. 38. The Papists indeed have as course a Garment, and as severe a Garb in penitential confession as any, but underneath they have dainty Linen; there lies great pride under all this pretended Humiliation, as if all this did merit at the hands of God; the Voice is humble Jacob's, but the pride upon the act is proud Esau's. If they saw the wrong which they did by sinning, how could they so proudly challenge God upon their confessing (what doth the murderer deserve because he confesseth?) But truly Penitential Confession is accompanied with grief in the heart, and with shame in the face, and with acknowledgement, That by reason of our sins there belongs nothing to us but shame and confusion, Daniel 9. 5. It is mixed with some Faith, not overcome with Despair: If the 2confession of sin be not mixed with some hope of pardon, it is not penitential but desperate: Cain, in some measure confessed, but fled into the Land of Nod, and reputes his offence Unpardonable, beyond the power or intention of Mercy to pardon him. Judas likewise utters his sin in particular, I have sinned in betraying innocent. Blood; But then he goods out and hangs himself: ⟨p. 110⟩