A92856:409
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.
2. The means: If we would execute our penitential resolutions, then we must 1. Take heed of the impediments of this 1present Execution. 2. Make use of the helps and furtherances of it.
2. The means: If we would execute our pen•tential resolutions, then we must 1. Take heed of the impediments of this 1present Execution. 2. Make use of the helps and furtherances of it.
- 1Means.Meanes.
1. The impediments of a present execution are many.1
- 1Take heed of the Impediments. Imbecility of Resolution.Take heed of the Impediments. Imb•cillity of Resolution.
1. Imbecility of resolution: Debile fundamentum fallit opus; if the foundation be weak, how can the building be strong? the house which was built on a Rock, did stand; but that which was erected on the Sands, fell down: Where resolutions are either weakly raised on strong grounds, or suddenly raised on weak and mutable occasions, there is either no execution, or uncertain; for no effect doth exceed the virtue of his cause: Thou hast almost persuaded me to be a Christian; this left King Agrippa still in Heathenism. You will never go through with the work, if you attain not to a thorough resolution; when you have an heart that goes and comes, you will have only fits of repentance, which will come and go: Of two things be sure, if ever you would penitentially act to purpose; One that you see strong and prevalent reasons to change your course of life, such as may not be over topped by any arguments that sin may suggest hereafter; they are the spirits in the brain, which confer to motion in the Hands and Legs: Another, that you resolve not on deceitful and fallible grounds. If your resolutions be upon Motives, either mutable, or conditional; you may be troubled with much temptation, but you will never advance in much penitential actions.