A92856:479
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.
And fell on his neck and kissed him.] You have seen already, the Eyes of Mercy to espy a returning Penitent, and the Feet of Mercy, its speedy pace to meet a returning Penitent, the Father ran; and of the Bowels of Mercy, He had compassion on him. In all which, we have discovered that singular readiness which is in God to show mercy to a true Penitent. Now there yet remain, 1. The Arms of Mercy, Amplexus misericordiarum, [And he fell on his neck.] 2. The Sealings of all this mercy, though not verbally, yet most significantly expressed towards the returning Prodigal, [and kissed him.] What they say of Scire, that though we do know, yet this satisfies us not, unless another doth know 1that we do know; the same is true of Love and Mercy; though we have loving affections and merciful intentions towards any, yet this is not enough to the party, unless he be made to know the same. Therefore here are singular expressions, as well as admirable intentions; the Box of Ointment is opened; Joseph cannot contain himself, but cries out, I am Joseph: The Father of the Prodigal doth forgive and accept of him, and testifies all this, by falling on his neck and kissing of him. There be divers Kisses: Not to speak of the Kiss of Subjection and Reverence, which David calls for, Psal. 2. 12. Nor of the Kiss of Incivility and Filthiness, the whorish kiss, of which Solomon speaks, Prov. 17. 13. Nor of the Kiss of Falsehood and Treachery, Judas-kiss, Matth. 26. 49. Nor of the Kiss of Courtesy, common to all friends, the Heathens used it, as Xenophon and Herodotus relate: Nor of the Kiss of Charity, used among the primitive Christians, especially before the Lords Supper. The Kiss in the Text is a Kiss of Merciful Affection; and it is given unto the Prodigal by his Father, in signum Reconciliationis, that He and his Father were now friends, and in a state of love and kindness: In signum Pacis, to take off all fears and doubts, all was exceeding well; and in signum Laetitiae, to intimate unto him, what a welcome child he now was. His Father was not more grieved at his sinful departure, but he is now much more gladded at his penitential return.2