A92856:457
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.
Object. But there must be brokenness of heart for sin, and there must be a diligent endeavour to leave all sin, and there must be strict care to walk with God.
Sol. And what of all this, It is as if thou shouldest say, O but I must not be wicked, I must become a new man, I must leave that which will damn me, I must hink well of such a course as will bring me to find saving mercy with God; there cannot be a worse estate and more fearful end then Impenitency, and there cannot be a better and more soul-saving estate then Repentance.
2. To the quick application of our selves to a Penitential course: 1I beseech you at length, if there be any understanding in you, any sense in you, any credence of a hell and heaven, any belief of a God or happiness, seriously consider with me that, 1. You must perish for ever, if you have not mercy: If Mercy does not save you, Justice must damn thee; what shall become of thy soul, if thy sins be not pardoned? they cannot but be condemnation unto thee, without gracious and merciful Remission. Therefore new, saith the Lord, turn unto me, &c. Joel. 3. 12. & Heb. 3. 15. Whiles it is said to day, harden not your hearts. Repentance is a present duty, Now God commands every one to repent, Act. 17. 30. 2. Are you sinners, or are you not? if you be not sinners, then I confess you need no pardoning mercy; but if you be sinners, then mercy must be your plea and anchor: Save me for thy mercies sake, and blot out my transgressions, according to the multitude of thy mercies, saith, David, Psal. 6. 51. Ah wretches that we are! we are sinners by Nature, and sinners by Life; who can say, My heart is cen? We lie down in our sins every moment; so that we need mercy, much mercy, all mercy. 3. Unless you do practically repent, (.i.) indeed for sake your sinful ways, and walk in newness of obedience, you shall never have mercy; Except you repent, ye shall all likewise perish, said Jesus Christ. It is the unchangeable Decree of God, and the revealed pleasure of God, that no man shall have his mercy but the Penitent: It were an