A92856:436
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.
What Husbandman doth despise the little plant which he hath set? Or what father doth despise the little child he hath begotten? Why! that God who hath appointed all the means and ordinances, to cherish, and prop, and comfort, and nourish, and perfect the initials of Repentance; doth not he graciously accept of it? have we not reason to believe that he doth countenance these beginnings, who presently makes all provision for the nursing and supplies of it?
What Husbandman doth despise the little plant which he hath set? Or what father doth despise the little child he hath begoten? Why! that God who hath appointed all the meanes and ordinances, to cherish, and prop, and comfort, and nourish, and perfect the initials of Repentance; doth not he graciously accept of it? have we not reason to believe that he doth countenance these beginnings, who presently makes all provision for the nursing and supplies of it?
To make some Application of this. 1. It convinceth the common obloquies and aspersions cast upon religion and religious courses to 1be mere injuries and falsities. viz. that if once you begin to be religions and penitential, then farewell all comfort; as if the grave of sin were the Resurrection of Grief; or of necessity, men must be everlastingly pensive, if once truly, and seriously penitential: But this is false, no course so good, so comfortable, as the penitential; mercy to invite you, mercy to receive you, mercy to pardon you, and mercy to save you. As soon as ever we begin to be good, and to be penitent, and are entered into the way of new obedience, presently the merciful eye and favour of God is upon us; mercy looks after us; and though we have been foul Transgressors, and have now but the very seeds and implantations of repentance (mixed ⟨p. 161⟩with exceeding imperfections) yet the Lord will benignly and graciously accept of us, and love us.
To make some Application of this. 1. It convinceth the common obloquies and aspersions cast upon religion and religious courses to