A92856:427
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 comfortable issue of real Repentance [But when he was yet a great way off, &c.] Wherein you have considerable, 1. The quick observation of this penitents Father, [His father saw him, yea, when he was yet a great way off:] Even in this sense God sees our thoughts afar off; God many times is unwilling to see the sinner, but he is at all times very willing to espy the penitent. 2. His present commiseration, [His father saw him, and had compassion on him] Wicked men look on a penitent with derision; penitent persons ⟨p. 157⟩look on themselves with abomination, but God looks on them with compassion: he looks on the penitent sinner with a pitiful affection: When Ephraim repented, and turned, My Bowels (saith God) are troubled for him, I will surely have mercy on him: As soon as ever the Prodigal looks back, mercy looks out. q. d. Ah! is he returned indeed? I pity him, I will receive him, I will forgive him. 3. His gracious acceptation expressed in three particulars;
1. One of speedy readiness: [The Father ran] The Son doth go, the Father ran. Mercy hath not only a quick eye, but foot also; it posts, it speeds, it runs to embrace a penitent: God is very slow to punish a sinner, but he is very ready to relieve and accept of a returning sinner.
2. A second, Of wonderful tenderness: [The Father fell on his neck] To have looked on him, was it not enough? to have given order for his usage, had it not been well? to have taken him by the hand, had it not been too much? but the Father did more then all this [He fell on his neck.] Divine mercy will not only meet a penitent, but embrace him. That sinner whom the hands of justice would have everlastingly confounded, if he be penitent, the arms of mercy will lovingly clasp, &c.