A92856:596
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.
The Arguments which may move us to a serious Trial, whether 1we be found persons, or no, are these: 1. Every man is lost, but every man is not found: All are lost, but few are found; 2the way of sin is general, but the way of mercy is special: Mat. 7. 13. Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat. v. 14. But strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and •ew there be that •ind it. You read of a general complaint, They are all gone out of the way; but you read not of a general acclamation, They are all returned into the way. Take the way of finding a lost sinner, and bringing him home to God, either 1. by Repentance: Why! the number of sinners is exceeding large, but the number of repenting sinners is very scant. As he said once of an Army, Here are many Men, but few Soldiers; so may it be said in this case: Sinners are like the Sands in the sea, very numerous; but Penitent Sinners are like Pear•s in the sea, very rare and precious. 2. By Faith: All are sinners, but few, very few are •rue believers: Historical Faith, though it be a common faith, yet it is not very common; Who hath believed our report? They are the •ewest part of the world, who do credere Christum, believe that there is a Christ; but how few, even of these, do credere in Christum, believe in Christ? And Men are never found, till Faith be found in them.
The Arguments which may move us to a serious Trial, whether 1we be found persons, or no, are these: 1. Every man is lost, but every man is not found: All are lost, but few are found; 2the way of sin is general, but the way of mercy is special: