A92856:525
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.
But the Father said to his servants, Bring forth the best Robe, and put it on him, and put a Ring on his hand, and Shoes on his feet.
These words are a List of the special favours which were conferred 1upon the penitential Prodigal; where you have, 1. The Number of them, 1. The R•be, 2. The Ring, 3. The Shoes; a suit large enough from top to toe. We need a complete furniture, and God here bestows it. 2. The Quality of them; 1. The Robe is the best; and 2. The Ring is precious; and 3. The Shoes are proper, and fit, and the best. God gives unto his people what is most excellent, and what is most useful. 3. The Order of them; first the Robe, and then the Ring; because if the Allusion be to a Marriage, the Wedding Garment is ever put on before the Wedding Ring. Or else because the Garment (which is the Robe) is always more necessary then the Ornament (which is the Ring.) Or which is choicest, because Interest in Christ, precedeth our Benefits by Christ. Again, as the Robe before the Ring, so the Ring before the Shoes; not because the Hands are more estimable then the Feet, but because our Feet can never tread well with Shoes of Patience, until we first finger the Ring of Faith; we can never go well, nor bear well, unless first we believe well.
These words are a List of the special favours which were conferred 1upon the penitential Prodigal; where you have, 1. The Number of them, 1. The R•be, 2. The Ring, 3. The Shoes; a suit large enough from top to toe. We need a compleate furniture, and God here bestows it. 2. The Quality of them; 1. The Robe is the best; and 2. The Ring is precious; and 3. The Shoes are proper, and fit, and the best. God gives unto his people what is most excellent, and what is most useful. 3. The Order of them; first the Robe, and then the Ring; because if the Allusion be to a Marriage, the Wedding Garment is ever put on before the Wedding Ring. Or else because the Garment (which is the Robe) is alwayes more necessary then the Ornament (which is the Ring.) Or which is choicest, because Interest in Christ, precedeth our Benefits by Christ. Again, as the Robe before the Ring, so the Ring before the Shoes; not because the Hands are more estimable then the Feet, but because our Feet can never tread well with Shoes of Patience, untill we first finger the Ring of Faith; we can never go well, nor bear well, unless first we believe well.