A92856:339
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.
He is not worthy to desire the greatest, and he doth modestly entreat for the lowest Relation; both which show the humbleness of his penitential spirit. Thus was it with Paul after his conversion; how he sinks his thoughts and estimation 1of himself! When he is to speak of his sins, 1 Tim. 1. 15. then Primus peccatorum, I am the chief of sinners; Nemo prior, none exceeded me, nemo pejor, I was worse then any: And when he spake of Gods mercy to him, then, minimus Apostolorum, I am the least of the Apostles, 1 Cor. 15. 8. & indignissimus, not worthy to be called an Apostle. Nay, he falls lower than this, Ephes. 3. 8. Minimus sanctorum minor minimo, less than the least of all Saints, is this grace given, &c, Do you not see this also in the penitential Publican? He stood afar off, and would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his 2breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. He judges those feet unworthy to carry him unto God, which so often carried him ⟨p. 120⟩from God; and those eyes unworthy to look on his holiness, which had been so frequently cast upon sinfulness; and whereas the Pharisee spreads his hands abroad, he turns them upon his breast, his contrite breast, and doth not boast of his righteousness, but cries out of his sins; and justifies not himself, but humbly begs, Lord, be merciful to me a sinner. Thus was it with Mary Magdalene upon her repentance, Luc. 7. 38. She stood at the feet of Jesus, behind him, weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with ointment. Mark it; all her service is lowly; she stood, she did not sit; sitting was a posture of familiarity, standing of humility: and she stood behind; to look after Christ was enough, to look upon him she was unworthy: And then she stood at his feet, the humblest posture, and there all her work is acted: Stood at his feet, wept at his feet, washed his feet, wiped his feet, kissed his feet, anointed his feet.