A92856:684
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.
Again, these outward afflictions may be considered two ways, either 1. Simply, and nakedly in themselves; so they cannot convert any sinner, no more then the pool of Bethesda (alone) could heal a diseased Person, or Elijahs salt could heal the Waters. 2. Concomitantly, as accompanied with, and sanctified by Gods Spirit: It is not the hammer, but the fire which softens the ⟨p. 290⟩iron; It was not the Water, but the Angel that stirred the water, which made the water medicinal: It is not the Rope, but the strength of the hand upon the Rope, which draws in the Bo•t. Afflictions in themselves are privations of a comfortable good; but if God sanctifies them, they may then be a means of our everlasting good: God can use them as a bridle, not only to stop us running out of the way, but also to turn us into the right way. Hos. 2. 14. I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness. By alluring, he means a gracious and effectual persuasion, a prevailing even to Conversion; but then he will bring her into the wilderness; God brings men into the Wilderness (into a barren, desolate miserable condition) and then allures or converts them. Manasseh was a great sinner, and yet God humbled him greatly, and (as it is thought) converted him; but what means did he use for this? See 2 Chro. 33. 11. The Lord brought upon him the captains of the host of the King of Assyria, who took Manasseh among the Thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. v. 12. And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly. Nebuchadnezzar was a proud and lofty sinner, and therefore God pulled him down; he did drive him from men, and he did eat Grass as Oxen, and his body was wet with the Dew of Heaven; and having thus abased him, he wrought upon him to acknowledge and praise the true God, Dan. 4. 33, 34.
Again, these outward afflictions may be considered two wayes, either 1. Simply, and nakedly in themselves; so they cannot convert any sinner, no more then the pool of Bethesda (alone) could heale a diseased Person, or Elijahs salt could heal the Waters. 2. Concomitantly, as accompanied with, and sanctifyed by Gods Spirit: It is not the hammer, but the fire which softens the