A92856:325
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.
4. Nor doth it add to our secrecy: For all things are naked and 1bare before God, &c. God can easily discover thy sin. 1. He sees it, he has an all-seeing eye. 2. He can make thy conscience the rack of torment at confession. 3. And will at the last day; Nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest. In two things doth the inconfitent sinner much prejudice himself by hiding of his sins: One, that he contrives himself for a sore punishment; another, that he reprieves himself for an open shame. It is Gods disposition, this, that when we discover our sin, and condemn our selves, then will he cover those sins, and not judge our persons. 1 Cor. 11. 31. If we would judge our selves, we should not be judged. But when we with wile and guile contrive to keep them close, God then will publish and manifest them; for there is nothing (in this kind) secret, which shall not be made manifest: Nay, simply, manifestation is not all; judiciary is it; he will so discover them, as to question, as to arraign, as to convict, as to sentence, as to condemn your sins.
- 1Nor doth it add to our secrecy.
Object. But sinners are ready to object; Who is able to confess his sins? Doth not David say, Who knoweth how oft he offendeth? Psal. 19.
Sol. It is true, every particular, numerical thought and act of sin, is not possible to be cited and confessed; but who urgeth that? This belongs to thee; 1. To study thy heart and life; 2. To observe what the Lord forbids and commands; 3. To hear what thy Conscience will speak for kinds and acts; 4. To give diligence to find out as many of thy sins as thou canst, and by no means to omit thy special sins; and so to spread all of them, with humble, hearty, and mournful acknowledgement before the Lord.