A92856:590
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.
Quest. 1. Who is it that finds a lost sinner? Sol. The Answer 1is easy; It is God only. I will seek that which was lost, Ezek. 34. 16. It was he who found Abraham in Chaldea amongst the Idolaters, and David among the sheep-folds, and Manasseh among the thorns and bushes, and Paul in the way to Damascus, and Matthew at the receipt of Custom, and the Israelites in their blood, and Mary Magdalene in her uncleanness. The sinner cannot find himself; he can lose himself, but he cannot find himself; he can wander, but he cannot return of himself: Avertere a De•, man can do that; but convertere ad Deum, man cannot do this. Man loves to wander; but to come back, man hath neither will nor power. No man can •ind a lost sinner. He may find a lost sinner, by way of discovery, but he cannot find him by way of recovery; I may discover, but not recover; 2. Bewail, but not prevail; 3. give Counsel, but not give Grace: I may see one running from God, but I cannot bring him back to God; I may see him wandering to Hell, but I cannot set his heart to turn back to Heaven; and I may bewail a lost sinner, yet I cannot prevail upon a lost sinner; and I can give him counsel to come home, but I cannot give him grace to come home: It is God, God only, who can find a lost sinner. Quis ovem perdicam requirere debeat, nonne qui perdidit, quis perdidit? nonne qui habuit? Quis habuit, nonne qui •ecit. So Tertullian appositely, He only that made man, he only it is who can find the sinner.
Quest. 1. Who is it that finds a lost sinner? Sol. The Answer 1is easie; It is God onely. I will seek that which was lost, Ezek. 34. 16. It was he who found Abraham in Caldea amongst the Idolaters, and David among the sheep-folds, and Manasses among the thorns and bushes, and Paul in the way to Damascus, and Matthew at the receit of Custome, and the Israelites in their bloud, and Mary Magdalene in her uncleanness. The sinner cannot find himself; he can lose himself, but he cannot find himself; he can wander, but he cannot return of himself: Avertere a De, man can do that; but convertere ad Deum, man cannot do this. Man loves to wander; but to come back, man hath neither will nor power. No man can ind a lost sinner. He may find a lost sinner, by way of discovery, but he cannot find him by way of recovery; I may discover, but not recover; 2. Bewail, but not prevail; 3. give Counsel, but not give Grace: I may see one running from God, but I cannot bring him back to God; I may see him wandring to Hell, but I cannot set his heart to turn back to Heaven; and I may bewail a lost sinner, yet I cannot prevail upon a lost sinner; and I can give him counsel to come home, but I cannot give him grace to come home: It is God, God onely, who can find a lost sinner. Quis ovem perdicam requirere debeat, nonne qui perdidit, quis perdidit? nonne qui habuit? Quis habuit, nonne qui ecit. So Tertullian appositely, He onely that made man, he onely it is who can find the sinner.