A92856:450
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.
3. God is not only ready to show mercy to the Penitent, but all 1kinds of mercy. You may read in Scripture of several qualifications ⟨p. 168⟩(as it were) of mercy; 1. There is Free mercy; which is an acceptance of, and a remission or discharge, without any 2desert in the party receiving; though he hath no•hing to deserve mercy, nay, though he hath enough to deserve wrath, yet the Lord will freely forgive him; such a kind of mercy hath God for the Penitent; and therefore he saith of such, I will love them freely, Hos. 14. 4. and that he forgives them for his own sake, Esa. 43. 2. There is Abundant mercy: God is 3said to be rich in mercy, to be plentiful in compassion, to have manifold mercies, even multitudes of mercy, and to pardon abundantly. Though the penitent hath many sins to be pardoned, and many necessities to be supplied, yet the Lord is very ready to multiply pardons unto him; not to forgive some sins only, but all the sins committed: It is not the quantity of sins for number, nor the quality of sins for kind, nor the aggravations of sins by circumstances, which hinders mercy, if a a man be penitent; but though the sins were as red as Scarlet, they shall be as white as Snow; and though they have been like Crimson, they shall be as Wool, Esa. 1. 18. 3. There is Tender 4mercy: Tenderness consists in an easiness of Compassion, and forward willingness to help. The tender Mother easily draws out the breasts. Such a tenderness of mercy is there in God to the Penitent; he is most willing to forgive, he rejoiceth to show mercy, and doth it with his whole heart. Nor doth he upbraid and grieve the sinner when he showeth mercy; but in the showing of mercy, only shows mercy; he will forgive sins, and never mention them any more to the forgiven Penitent. 4. There is Sure mercy: A penitent person may be