A92856:461
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.
A second Use shall be of Caution: Since the Lord is so ready to 1show all mercy to the penitent, therefore take heed that you keep not off from repentance by despairing of mercy. There are three sorts of sinners: Some whose hearts are hardened as the Adamant, through an habitual itera ion by sin, and […] inflamed affection unto sin; who like that unjust Judg fearing neither God nor man, so they are sensible ⟨p. 174⟩neither of the vileness of sion, nor of the goodness of mercy; Some whose hearts are mollified, graciously altered, have seen the evil of their ways, and forsaken them, and are turned unto the Lord, seeking him with mourning, and with supplication, to whom the Sceptre of Mercy hath been graciously stretched forth, and they have effectually touched that Sceptre with believing hearts, and are returned with much peace and joy unspeakable: Others there are twixt both these; they are not so low as the first, for their consciences are awaked and troubled; nor yet so high as the last, for they cannot believe any mercy will reach unto them; their souls cannot discern any intention of mercy towards them, and all the promises of mercy seem to them as restrictive, nay, as exclusive proclamations, denying unto them (though granting unto others) the privilege of their Books, and the P•alm of mercy, and so are apt to despair; mercy seems to them a far off, and slow, and long a coming. Therefore now, to such persons who are awakened in their consciences, to see the vileness of their sinful ways, and their lost condition; my advice is, by no means to despair of mercy.2
A second Use shall be of Caution: Since the Lord is so ready to 1shew all mercy to the penitent, therefore take heed that you keep not off from repentance by despairing of mercy. There are three sorts of sinners: Some whose hearts are hard•ed as the Adamant, through an habitual itera ion by sin, and 〈…〉 infl•med affection unto sin; who like that unjust Judg fearing neither God nor man, so they are sensble