A92856:456
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. To the Approbation of a penitential Course: Why are ye so 1averse, and accuse, and condemn it? They have a saying, that Finis dat amabilitatem Mediis: the end doth make the means lovely, it doth give spirit and encouragement to the use of means. Repentance is in it self a most excellent and peculiar grace, a singular gift of God, and therefore desirable; But besides that (Behold thy son liveth, &c.) it brings the soul to partake of mercy (of the choicest mercy in God) pardoning mercy, which is of most immediate concernment and influence to the everlasting salvation of man: nay, it brings mercy and salvation presently, This day is salvation come unto thy house: 'Tis granted, many persons do accuse a penitential course of much vexation, and sadness, and grief, as if it were the grave of all delight (whereas indeed it is only the sepulchre of our Lusts, and of lustful pleasures.) And others cry out upon the difficulty of it, as if it were an heavy yoke, and an intolerable burden. But judge not of duties by the opinion of ignorant and graceless men; nor by the folly and error of your own sinful and inexperienced hearts. No, ⟨p. 172⟩but judge of them by what the Word pronounceth of them, in themselves, and by their ends. Is Salvation a desirable thing? is mercy an excellent thing? Why, then Repentance must be an excellent thing, which brings us unto mercy, and unto Salvation.
1. To the Approbation of a penitential Course: Why are ye so 1averse, and accuse, and condemn it? They have a saying, that Finis dat amabilitatem Mediis: the end doth make the means lovely, it doth give spirit and encouragement to the use of means. Repentance is in it self a most excellent and peculiar grace, a singular gift of God, and therefore desirable; But besides that (Behold thy son liveth, &c.) it brings the soul to partake of mercy (of the choicest mercy in God) pardoning mercy, which is of most immediate concernment and influence to the everlasting salvation of man: nay, it brings mercy and salvation presently, This day is salvation come unto thy house: 'Tis granted, many persons do accuse a penitential course of much vexation, and sadness, and grief, as if it were the grave of all delight (whereas indeed it is only the sepulchre of our Lusts, and of lustful pleasures.) And others cry out upon the difficulty of it, as if it were an heavy yoke, and an intolerable burden. But judge not of duties by the opinion of ignorant and graceless men; nor by the folly and error of your own sinful and inexperienced hearts. No,