A92856:343
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. It is a Grace of Gods Spirit.] It is one of the Pearls in the 1Chain which the Apostle would have us to put on, Col. 3. 12. an humble spirit is a spiritual ornament. Some Graces are more visible ⟨p. 121⟩and stirring, as Faith and Charity; others are more reserved and hidden (like Soul among the stuff) as Patience and Humility. But a Grace it is, being a supernatural Quality, not born with us, but added unto us. In our first Birth, we come out with very high and stout Spirits; in our second Births, with very lowly and humble Spirits; in our low Birth, with high Spirits; in our high and excellent Birth, with lowly Spirits.
- 1It is a Grace of Gods Spirit.
2. Making us low in our own eyes:] Behold, saith Job, 40. 4. 1I am vile, (.i.) nothing worth, base, What shall I answer thee? I am as a weaned child, said David, Psa. 131. 2. I have not the Understanding of a man, said Agur, Pro. 30. 2. Not as if I had yet attained, saith the Apostle, Phil. 3. Hence is it that in Scripture humble persons are called Little, (one of these little ones, saith Christ) little, not only in the proud contempt of the World, but little in their own humble estimation of themselves. As David is said to be little in his own eyes; one who set a very low rate and value on himself. And they are said to be poor, poor in spirit; they have indeed very rich Graces, but very poor opinions and conceits of themselves; I, who am but dust and ashes, saith Abraham: a worm and no man, said David. Excellencies they have, but they are not puffed up by them. God doth raise them, but they raise not themselves; they are precious and honourable in his sight, but vile and nothing in their own; they have an high Calling, and high Graces, and high Privileges, but still low hearts: when they look on their Natural frame, that's as low as Earth; when they look on their sinful frame, that's as low as Hell; when they look on their Spiritual frame, then how little; it is but some saith, Oh, that God would help my Unbelief! that sorrow is but a drop, that love but a spark, that knowledge but a dawning light, their strength but weakness; others have more, they have but little; still they complain of defects, infirmities, failings; what they have is nothing to the much they want: No Vines so unfruitful, no servants so unprofitable as they.